Thread: Brazilian Vacation Home?

I'm considering purchasing a vacation home in Brazil as I'm finding that I travel there a great deal. Would it be easier to purchase a "timeshare"-like affair or go through a more standard route? I'm also wary of scams, and Central/South America are full of them. Have any others looked into the options here? I'm thinking of perhaps something in the Joao Pessoa area.

I have heard the timeshares are a bad idea, but I've never looked into it myself. I just know people who say they are basically scams.

allbrazil is right although it depends on the country you're in. I've never bothered looking down in South America because so many people try to rip off US citizens without batting an eyelash. But timeshares are really huge up here in the states. Some people think they're scams, others swear by them. I was turned off when my aunt and uncle got swindled in this florida vacation deal that they couldn't sell when they found out it was a bust. They had to pay Timeshare Relief for a title transfer -- these companies basically take unwanted timeshares off your hands for a fee, if that gives you any idea of how bad the industry is up here (lots of useless properties). Problem is, the Americans sell them in other countries, too. They just busted an American guy in Mexico for running some pyramid scheme. If you do look into the market post back and tell us how it went.

How do the timeshare scams work? Do people get paid for recruiting more people into the timeshare?

First of all thank you for the advice everyone and I have completed some additional research into the matter which has led me to believe that timeshares are indeed a scam in many instances. To answer southern flavor's question, it depends upon the nature of the scam some timeshare companies will take your money for "fees" and never let you use the actual resort you are supposed to "own". Or in other cases an individual is conned into buying a timeshare as an investment when in fact there is no return, and they might in turn get others to join in the investment (a "pyramid" scheme?). Simply type "timeshare" into a search engine and watch what happens, haha...

Oh, I see. I think a person can just try to get a mortgage on their own place rather than get involved with a timeshare. That's probably a better idea.

yes Southernflavor's reply was really great. so why don't you buy a home by yourself? i have read that you come to Brazil a lot then why should you take the help of "timeshare"?
thanks