While most people might not think about title searches and title insurance when it comes to properties like timeshares, they’re actually much more necessary than you might imagine. Due to the fact that a timeshare typically has at least several owners at once, things can get confusing unless experts are brought in to property verify the timeshare’s title and ensure that you, the buyer, are getting exactly what you’re paying for. 

Timeshare and Rental Property Buyers Need Protection, Too 

While there are many great timeshare opportunities out there, a lot of organizations simply don’t follow the correct legal procedures when transferring ownership between parties. That can lead to common title issues including: 

• Liens from previous owners
• Overdue maintenance fees (which can be quite hefty for some timeshares) 
• Defects with deeds/titles 

All this means that it’s essential to have a thorough title search conducted before deciding to invest your hard-earned money in a timeshare. Otherwise, you could be inheriting a variety of problems from the previous owner(s). 

DO YOU REALLY NEED TITLE INSURANCE FOR A TIMESHARE?

Just as with a traditional property, such as a home or a condo, a title issue can appear at any time, threatening your ownership rights and potentially even adding to your debts. That’s why, in addition to commissioning a title search, you should also make sure to purchase a comprehensive title insurance policy for your timeshare. 

FRACTIONAL PROPERTY OWNERS NEED TITLE INSURANCE, TOO 

Fractional ownership of a vacation property is a popular alternative to purchasing a timeshare. Typically, fractional ownership requires a significantly higher upfront investment, but can also offer much higher financial rewards. Unlike a timeshare, where you only purchase the right to use the property for a specific time, with fractional ownership, you actually own equity in the property itself. So, if the property as whole increases in value, so does your particular share. Since fractional ownership does usually require a larger investment, it’s even more important that you protect yourself with a title search and an effective title insurance policy. 

Renting a Vacation Property? Escrow Services Can Help You Stay Protected 

If you’re planning on renting a vacation property for more than a few days, you could be trusting a stranger with a serious amount of cash. However, in order to ensure that both parties are acting fairly, you can use an escrow holder to hold your funds until you’ve arrived and checked out the property for yourself. That way, the property owner or management company knows you have the ability to pay, and you can rest assured that you won’t be paying for anything you haven’t seen. 

To learn more about how title insurance, title searches, and escrow services can help protect your vacation property, speak with the experts at Sterling Title Partners for a free consultation.