Is Joynt like a timeshare?

This is a common question, and the short answer is no. While both concepts involve sharing access to a property, the Joynt model for co-ownership and the traditional timeshare model are fundamentally different.

In fact, Joynt was designed to be a modern, transparent, and empowering alternative for people who want the benefits of a second home without the significant downsides often associated with timeshares.

Let's break down the key differences.

1. Real Ownership vs. a "Right to Use"

• Joynt: With Joynt, you and your co-owners purchase and hold the legal title to a real property. Your name is on the deed. This means you own a real asset, can build equity, and have a direct financial stake in the property's value.
• Timeshares: In most timeshare arrangements, you are not buying real estate. Instead, you are purchasing a "right to use" a property, often for a specific week or through a points-based system. The timeshare developer owns the actual property; you are essentially pre-paying for future vacations under a long-term lease or license agreement.

2. Property Selection: Any Home vs. a Limited Network

• Joynt: Joynt is not a network of properties. You and your co-owners can purchase any residential property for sale anywhere in the U.S. The open real estate market is your catalog, giving you complete freedom to find the perfect home in your ideal location.
• Timeshares: You are limited to the specific resorts and properties owned and operated by the timeshare company. Your choices are confined to what is available within their closed network.

3. Your Co-Owners: You Choose vs. They Choose

• Joynt: You have complete control over who you co-own with. Whether it's friends, family, or a group of like-minded buyers you vet, you form your own private ownership group. You know and trust everyone who has access to the property.
• Timeshares: You share the property with a large pool of other timeshare participants you don't know and have no control over. The property is used by different strangers every week.

4. Scheduling: Flexible Access vs. Fixed Weeks

• Joynt: Scheduling is managed collaboratively among your small group of co-owners using our fair and transparent calendaring system. You can book time well in advance, reserve a last-minute getaway, and stay for as long or as short as you need. Co-owners can even easily trade or share their reserved time.
• Timeshares: Access is typically rigid. You may be assigned a fixed week each year or given a set number of points to use within a complex system. It can be difficult to book a quick weekend trip, stay for a non-standard length of time, or visit during a different season without incurring extra fees or complications.

5. Selling Your Share: A Clear Path vs. a Difficult Exit

• Joynt: We believe your exit strategy should be as clear as your entry. Joynt provides a straightforward framework for selling your share. Your options include selling it to the other co-owners at fair market value, selling it to a new buyer approved by your group, or having the entire group decide to sell the property on the open market.
• Timeshares: This is perhaps the most notorious problem with the timeshare model. Exiting a timeshare contract can be extremely difficult and costly, with the resale market being notoriously weak. The challenge is so significant that an entire industry of "timeshare exit" legal services has emerged, many of which unfortunately prey on owners desperate to get out of their contracts.

6. Our Business Model: Empowering Owners vs. Selling Contracts

• Joynt: Joynt does not buy, sell, or own any property. We are a SAAS (Software as a Service) company that provides the legal framework, tools, and technology to make co-owning property simple, safe, and enjoyable. Our success is tied to the success of our co-owners.
• Timeshares: A timeshare company's business model is based on owning properties and locking customers into long-term contracts. Their revenue comes from the initial sale and a continuous stream of monthly dues, management fees, and other associated costs.

At-a-Glance

In summary, Joynt empowers you with true ownership, flexibility, and control. It’s a tool designed to help you and your chosen partners enjoy all the emotional and financial benefits of owning a second home, together.