Deeded Week vs. Floating?

I see a timeshare for sale that says it is deeded for week 43 but that this is for deeding purposes only, and that the unit actually is available for any floating week? I am concerned that if I purchase this, will I really get this as a floating unit, or is the seller trying to make people think the unit is available year round when you really only could get week 43? Any advice?

caraf10 wrote:

I see a timeshare for sale that says it is deeded for week 43 but that this is for deeding purposes only, and that the unit actually is available for any floating week? I am concerned that if I purchase this, will I really get this as a floating unit, or is the seller trying to make people think the unit is available year round when you really only could get week 43? Any advice?

This is the way floating weeks are assigned, however depending on the supply and demand of the resort and the timeframe you're interested in, you may have to reserve your week months in advance (ie: summer beach front, winter ski season, popular holidays etc).

Thanks again JayJay! So essentially I would NOT be locked in to a specific week, and I could reserve it ANY time of the year depending on availability?

Appreciate all your advice to date!

caraf10 wrote:

Thanks again JayJay! So essentially I would NOT be locked in to a specific week, and I could reserve it ANY time of the year depending on availability?

Appreciate all your advice to date!

Just make sure that your floating week is for all year or for during the timeframe of weeks you wish to reserve.

jayjay wrote:

Just make sure that your floating week is for all year or for during the timeframe of weeks you wish to reserve.

Floating week restrictions (if any, at a particular resort) generally CANNOT actually be determined merely by examining the deed. Any "blackout periods" or any other "seasonal restrictions" must be flushed out and discovered by calling the resort directly. Do this BEFORE you plunk any money down and maybe make a big mistake!

I learned this particular lesson "the hard way" many years ago, in my very first timeshare purchase. The (private resale) seller did not tell me about the applicable "blackout periods" for the floating week I was buying and back at that time I did not yet have the knowledge or experience to ask ALL of the the right questions BEFORE buying.

I later (...after purchase) learned that in the floating week ownership I had bought, "float" owners were specifically restricted from reserving ANY week between weeks 1-16 (which is basically the entire winter). This "blackout period" was actually the ONLY time when I WANTED to reserve a week, so my purchase was basically useless and worthless to me. I sold off that week (..at a loss, but not a huge loss). Believing in "the golden rule", I was completely honest and upfront with the next buyer about the float reservation restrictions. I learned a valuable, expensive lesson; "the hard way".

I hope this helps you avoid learning an important lesson "the hard way" (as I did, all those years ago). Don't make the same mistake.

Wow, thanks for the info! The timeshares I am considering are Hilton and Marriott. Hilton uses points so I think, but could be wrong, that I can use the points all year long but that the unit size will vary based on the season (and availability of course).

Marriott has the floating weeks but they seem to be season specific - and I am not entirely sure how that works. I think I would be ok with any week of the specific season, but might be locked into that season (or a lesser?) season only. So if I buy platinum, I think I should be able to use any season, but if I buy gold I could only use gold (or silver). Or at least I think.

Thanks for the valuable advice!