Book excerpt: There are more than 5,400 timeshare resorts in destinations as diverse as England and Africa, Orlando and Shanghai. More than 3 million North Americans own timeshares around the world. Is timeshare ownership for you? Packed with information for current and prospective owners, this guide points out the plusses and the pitfalls and lets you in on the smartest ways to buy, sell, or swap timeshares. It covers: Questions to ask yourself Questions to ask timeshare sales representatives An overview of the types of timeshare ownership An update on variations on traditional timeshare vacations Financing, maintenance fees, assessments, and other economic considerations Like every For Dummies travel guide, Timeshare vacations For Dummies includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What to look for—and what to look out for Which options best fit your budget and your vacation style Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages