You too can own a condo in our spectacular resort! Though it's not the typical timeshare pitch you're used to. This is a typical marketing spiel to induce you to read the rest of a pamphlet about fractional ownership of a condo at a ski resort. Deer Valley, Utah is only one of many resorts across the country pushing this model to its regular customers. It certainly sounds great, but is it really?

With fractional ownership, you actually own a piece of a real estate property. Marketing this as a way to own a second home at a lower cost, management companies make this sound like an ideal way of sharing ownership in a property that you otherwise could not afford.

There are positives to this arrangement, which agents are quick to promote. As a partial owner, when the property appreciates so does the value of your investment. Management companies handle all the chores that are normally a headache with second home ownership. Cleaning, maintenance and rental are all handled by people the company contracts with. Fractional ownership properties are typically located in developments with great amenities pools, rec rooms, exercise rooms and such.

Unlike timeshare arrangements, you are not limited to a specific number of weeks during specific times of the year. The cost is not dependent on which weeks you choose, and typically you will have access to the property a greater amount of time during the year.

Marketing materials certainly make this sound like a fantastic option, but is it really as wonderful as they say? There are at least as many reasons to not invest in fractional ownership. These factors must be carefully considered before giving serious consideration to such a major investment.

Reasons You'll Regret Buying Into a Ski Condo: 

1. Enjoy trying out different mountains every year? With fractional ownership, this will be an exciting opportunity of the past. Fractional ownership means skiing the same mountain year after year. The excitement of exploring new trails and experiencing new terrain will only be a memory.
2. Like to seek out the best snow conditions each year? You can forget about this too. Great snow conditions or not, this is where you will be spending your ski vacation. Even if man-made snow is not your idea of great skiing, this will be your only option.
3. Need to travel when your boss says it's OK? Sorry, you will have to negotiate this with the other owners. If the other owners are not the accommodating type, you're simply out of luck. Maybe next year.
4. Decide the location isn't everything you thought it was? Too late for that, you've already made your investment. Of course, you can try to sell your share, but more and more fractional ownership opportunities are being created, and this may be more difficult than you thought, unless you're willing to take a loss.

There is a way to avoid all of these pitfalls yet benefit from all of the advantages of staying in a condo or vacation home. You can simply look for Park City vacation rentals during the time you want to go, and find one in the location you want to be in. If you enjoy a little variety in life, there is simply no better way.

Contributed by Frances Simon. 

It's not at all like fractional ownership or timeshares, it's better - renting a ski condo or luxury mountain home only when you want to go, is truly the only way to go. Search for Park City condo rentals and vacation homes for rent near Deer Valley's famous celebrity filled slopes.