November 20, 2025
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The best timeshares to own combine flexible point systems, extensive location networks, strong exchange options through RCI or Interval International, reasonable maintenance fees, and proven resale value. Top brands include Marriott Vacation Club, Wyndham Destinations, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Bluegreen Vacations.
However, even the best timeshare can become a burden when life circumstances change. Whether you’re researching ownership or already locked into an unwanted contract, understanding both the benefits and potential pitfalls of timeshare ownership helps you make informed decisions about your vacation property.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency provides extensive guidance on timeshare purchases and warns consumers to be cautious about high-pressure sales tactics and understand true costs before buying. Most states provide rescission periods ranging from five to ten days after purchase during which buyers can cancel for any reason, though the exact timeframe depends on state law and company policy.
According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), approximately nine million households in the U.S. own timeshares, making this a significant segment of the hospitality industry. While ARDA reports that ninety percent of timeshare owners express satisfaction with their overall ownership experience, many satisfied owners still seek to exit when circumstances change or fees become unaffordable.
Timeshare ownership can offer wonderful vacation experiences when it aligns with your lifestyle, budget, and travel patterns. However, the decision to purchase requires careful evaluation beyond the attractive presentations and promotional deals you’ll encounter at resort sales centers.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, timeshares typically come in two main forms:
Deeded Timeshares: With a deeded timeshare, you own part of the property as legally considered real property. This is usually a particular unit for a specific time each year. Depending on the contract, you may buy the timeshare for a definite number of years, for life, or until you decide to sell it. These can include:
Right-to-Use Timeshares: With these arrangements, you acquire the right to use a property from a developer, but you don’t actually own the property in the traditional sense. The contract typically expires after a certain number of years.
Points-Based Systems: Many modern timeshares use point systems where owners purchase annual allotments to book accommodations. The FTC notes that not all point systems work the same way, and the number of points you need depends on various factors including location, season, and unit size.
What makes a timeshare worthwhile? You must vacation regularly at similar destinations, understand the full scope of ownership costs including ever-increasing maintenance fees, and have researched what these properties actually sell for on the secondary market versus what developers charge retail.
The unfortunate reality is that many timeshare owners discover too late that their purchase doesn’t match their actual vacation habits, the fees become unaffordable, or life changes make the commitment impossible to maintain.
According to data from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), the average maintenance fee was nine hundred eighty dollars in recent years. Assuming a conservative annual increase of five percent each year for thirty years, a consumer’s maintenance fee would increase over that timeframe to over four thousand two hundred dollars annually, and by that point, the consumer would have spent a total of approximately sixty-four thousand dollars in maintenance fees alone.
The FTC emphasizes that these fees increase regularly and never go away. What starts as manageable can become a significant financial burden over time, often outpacing inflation and income growth. Most states lack disclosure rules that would put consumers on notice that they’re signing up for a lifelong commitment to pay an undetermined amount that will increase each year.
Purchasing a timeshare requires careful evaluation of costs, benefits, and alternatives. The decision should align with realistic travel patterns rather than emotional responses to sales presentations or promotional incentives.
Developer retail timeshares range from fifteen thousand to over one hundred thousand dollars depending on brand, location, season, and unit size. However, the purchase price is only the beginning:
Total Ownership Costs Include:
Consumer Protection Alert: According to state consumer protection agencies, consumers frequently become unable to pay for the timeshare’s ever-increasing, variable costs, especially elderly consumers on fixed incomes. The National Association of Attorneys General reports cases of couples in their eighties being sold timeshares with tens of thousands in annual fees—obligations that become increasingly difficult to manage in retirement.
The FTC advises consumers to calculate the cost of renting similar accommodations each year, as renting is often cheaper and doesn’t lock you into a long-term contract.
According to the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule, many consumers report being “exhausted” during presentations that last several hours, designed to wear people down “so that you’ll sign anything just to get out of there.” Most states provide rescission periods ranging from three to fifteen days after timeshare purchase. During this window, buyers can cancel for any reason and receive full refunds. This cooling-off period protects against high-pressure sales tactics.
State laws typically give buyers between five to fifteen days to cancel, though the exact period depends on where the timeshare is located or where the agreement was signed.
Critical advice from consumer protection agencies: Never buy a timeshare during the initial sales presentation. Take advantage of your rescission period to:
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) establishes industry standards that member companies follow, including ethical marketing practices and transparent fee disclosures. However, ARDA membership doesn’t guarantee satisfaction or prevent buyer’s remorse.
Be cautious if the salesperson:
Critical FTC Warning: According to the Federal Trade Commission, “You have the right to get all promises in writing.” Oral promises carry no legal weight. Most timeshare agreements include what’s called a “License to Lie” clause—language that explicitly dismisses any verbal assurances made before signing. If the salesperson won’t put a promise in the written contract, it’s not a real promise.
The FTC also advises: “Ask the salesperson why today is the ‘only’ day the deal is available.” These “today-only” deals create false urgency designed to pressure buyers into acting without proper consideration.
Timeshare companies offer promotional packages to attract potential buyers to sales presentations. These packages typically include discounted resort stays, attraction tickets, or loyalty program points in exchange for attending ninety-minute to three-hour presentations.
Discounted Resort Stays:
Loyalty Program Points:
Attraction Packages:
Most promotional offers require attendees to meet specific criteria:
Expert Tip: If you accept promotional offers, attend with a firm decision not to purchase. Enjoy the discounted vacation but resist high-pressure tactics regardless of incentives presented during the sales process.
Federal Trade Commission Warning: “The truth is, the timeshare market is overcrowded, and it might be hard, if not impossible, to sell a timeshare. Anyone who guarantees a sale or big returns is a scammer.” The FTC warns consumers to be careful of timeshare resale scammers who will take your money but won’t help you sell your timeshare.
According to the National Association of Attorneys General, timeshare developers rarely buy back timeshares, and reselling can be extraordinarily difficult. The secondary market is oversaturated with timeshares priced at a penny from consumers seeking to liberate themselves from a timeshare’s ever-increasing, lifelong financial commitment.
If you can’t sell and can’t afford the fees, you’re trapped—unless you know your exit options.
If your timeshare has become a burden rather than a benefit, you have options. At SDS Property Services / Timeshare Exit Today, we specialize in helping owners legally exit unwanted timeshare contracts.
Important Consumer Protection Information: The Federal Trade Commission warns that many timeshare exit companies are simply scams. The FTC recently took action against companies that targeted older adults, charged huge fees (anywhere from five thousand to eighty thousand dollars), but rarely delivered results.
According to the FTC, the best way to avoid timeshare exit scams is to have an exit strategy from the start. However, for those already locked into contracts, it’s critical to work only with legitimate exit companies that:
FTC Guidance on Selecting Exit Companies: Check out the company by contacting the state attorney general and local consumer protection agencies where the company is located. Ask if they have complaints on file. Also search online for the company’s name plus words like “complaint” or “scam.”
Rescission Period Cancellation: If you’re within your state’s rescission period (typically five to fifteen days), you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund.
Deed-Back Programs: Some resorts offer deed-back or surrender programs allowing owners to return ownership. Eligibility requirements vary by resort.
Contract Review and Legal Action: Experienced attorneys can review contracts for violations of disclosure laws, misrepresentation, or other legal grounds for cancellation.
Negotiated Exit: Professional exit companies negotiate with resorts on your behalf to achieve release from ownership obligations.
Never work with companies that:
Expert Tip: Stopping maintenance fee payments without a legal exit strategy damages your credit, results in collections, and doesn’t legally end your obligation. Always pursue legitimate exit methods that protect your financial standing.
Q: How hard is it to sell a timeshare?
Extremely difficult. The resale market is flooded with sellers, and timeshares sell for a fraction of original cost—if they sell at all. Many owners list for years without a single offer. Some can’t even give their timeshares away for free.
This is why professional exit services exist—to provide alternatives when selling isn’t viable.
Q: What happens to my timeshare when I die?
Most timeshare contracts transfer to your heirs, burdening them with:
Proper estate planning or timeshare exit before death protects your family from inheriting this obligation.
Q: Are timeshare exit companies legitimate?
Some are, some aren’t. The timeshare exit industry includes both legitimate companies and scams. Look for:
At Timeshare Exit Today, we provide one hundred percent money-back guarantees, credit protection, and complete transparency throughout the exit process.
Q: How long does timeshare exit take?
Exit timelines vary based on:
Most exits take six to eighteen months. We provide regular updates throughout the process and manage all communication with the resort on your behalf.
Q: Where can I report timeshare fraud or deceptive practices?
If you believe you’ve been a victim of timeshare fraud, deceptive sales practices, or timeshare exit scams, you can report these issues to:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
According to the FTC, reporting fraud helps them track down scammers and stop them from victimizing others. Even if you can’t get your money back, your report can help prevent others from being scammed.
Selecting the best timeshare requires honest assessment of travel patterns, thorough cost analysis including perpetual maintenance fees, and realistic evaluation of long-term commitment implications. The highest-rated brands offer quality and flexibility but command premium pricing that may not suit every budget.
You’re not alone, and you’re not trapped. Thousands of timeshare owners face rising fees, inability to use their weeks, life changes, or simply wanting different vacation experiences. Professional exit services can help you legally end unwanted timeshare obligations and protect your financial future.
Ready to reclaim your freedom from timeshare obligations? Fill out the form below to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our expert team.
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