[photo source: Starwood]

A lot of the elderly Europeans I know have bought a second (vacation) home. They have either purchased a vacation house in places with warmer climates like Spain and Italy or, they have opted to buy a small chateau in Switzerland or Austria with ski-in, ski-out access.

The problem that most of them face is the upkeep of these second homes. It just takes too much work for a place which they only use a few weeks per year. I guess none of them thought of investing in vacation timeshare, instead.

Granted that vacation timeshare would not fit the needs of everyone, it still is (IMHO) worth considering. Especially when you see what Starwood Vacation Ownership is offering.

As the lobby says,

With Starwood Vacation Ownership, you can purchase a villa on a Sheraton or Westin property, without the additional headache of maintenance and upkeep, can make it a possibility.

Purchase a condo on one of the participating Sheraton or Westin properties in places like the Bahamas, Palm Springs, and Maui and you'll be able to come back each year, often with the same neighbors. It's so quaint! Even better, the villas usually come with private balconies, entertainment centers and whirpools, so you'll be livin' large while you're there.

If you are seriously considering time-sharing for your next vacation, you might want to read this first.

However, note that applying for credit in order to afford a timeshare property means that you CANNOT afford to get one. But, don't fret. You can always just book that villa or hotel on a per night basis.