Is there a Dave Ramsey timeshare exit company?

Last updated 2026-07-26

does Dave Ramsey actually have a timeshare exit company?

No. There is no Dave Ramsey timeshare exit company, and Ramsey Solutions doesn't own, license, or endorse any specific exit firm. What exists is a lot of content: Ramsey Solutions blog posts, radio show call segments, and YouTube clips where Dave Ramsey or his co-hosts answer listener questions about timeshares. If you search "dave ramsey timeshare exit company," you'll find plenty of third-party exit companies name-dropping him in ads or SEO content, sometimes implying an endorsement that doesn't exist. That's a red flag pattern worth knowing before you hand anyone money. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau collects consumer complaints about timeshare and debt relief companies through its public Consumer Complaint Database, and complaints describing large upfront fees with little delivered are a recurring theme regulators track ^[1]. Ramsey's actual advice, as published in Ramsey Solutions' article on getting rid of a timeshare, is blunt: timeshares are a bad deal financially and the fastest way out is usually to sell it yourself for whatever the market will bear, sometimes literally $1, rather than pay a company thousands of dollars to "exit" you ^[2].

what does Dave Ramsey actually say about getting out of a timeshare?

Ramsey Solutions' published position is to sell the timeshare on the secondary market, even at a steep loss, rather than pay an upfront fee to an exit company. Their article on getting rid of a timeshare frames it as an asset that loses value fast and says owners should expect to get little or nothing back ^[2]. The practical steps Ramsey's team recommends, based on that published content, are roughly: list it yourself on resale sites (they specifically mention low or no-commission marketplaces), try to give it back to the resort through a deed-back or surrender program if one exists, and if neither works, walk away from a sale and accept the loss rather than pay thousands to a third party. What Ramsey does not recommend, based on that same content, is paying an upfront fee to a company that promises to cancel your contract or get you out of a deed. That's consistent with what regulators say too. The Federal Trade Commission's consumer guidance on timeshare resale scams warns that scammers "often ask for money up front" before ever delivering a sale, refund, or exit ^[3]. So the honest summary is: Dave Ramsey's advice and federal consumer protection guidance point the same direction. Sell it yourself cheap, try a deed-back, and don't pay big money upfront to a stranger who cold-calls you.

how much is a timeshare worth on the resale market?

Almost nothing, in most cases. Timeshare interests routinely resell for $1 to a few hundred dollars on sites like RedWeek or licensed timeshare resale marketplaces, especially for older weeks-based products at smaller resorts. Owners frequently discover this only after they try to sell, since resale listing sites and forums are full of $1 and $100 asking prices for products that originally sold for tens of thousands of dollars. That's a hard pill to swallow if you paid $20,000 or more at the sales presentation. But the original purchase price mostly reflects marketing costs, sales commissions, and a high-pressure closing process, not resale value. If you're trying to sell, price it near zero, factor in that you may need to cover the buyer's closing costs or even pay a small amount to get a deed-back accepted, and treat any offer that isn't $0 as a bonus, not an expectation.

how much do timeshares cost, really?

Upfront purchase price	$10,000 to $40,000+
Annual maintenance fee	roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per interval
Special assessment (occasional)	$1,000 to $5,000+
Resale value	$0 to a few hundred dollars	The math rarely works in the owner's favor long-term, which is exactly why so many owners eventually look for a way out.

The upfront purchase price for a timeshare interest (typically one week of usage per year, or points-based equivalents) commonly runs from about $10,000 to $40,000+ depending on the resort brand, location, and unit size. On top of that, owners pay annual maintenance fees that have climbed steadily over the past decade, often rising faster than general consumer inflation. Maintenance fees aren't fixed. They rise most years, and resorts can levy special assessments on top of the regular fee for major repairs, storm damage, or renovations. A special assessment of $1,000 to $5,000 in a single year isn't unusual after a hurricane or a required refurbishment cycle. Here's a rough cost table based on typical ranges reported across timeshare resale and consumer sources: | Cost item | Typical range |

are timeshares scams?

The original purchase usually isn't illegal, but it's often sold through aggressive, misleading sales tactics, and a huge share of the exit industry that sprang up around buyer's remorse is full of actual scams. Those are two different problems and it helps to separate them. On the sales side: timeshare presentations are famous for high-pressure closing tactics, exaggerated resale value claims, and vague disclosure about ongoing fees. State attorneys general and consumer protection agencies have brought enforcement actions and issued public warnings against developers, marketers, and resale scammers targeting timeshare owners. On the exit side: this is where the scam rate is genuinely high. A company cold-calls or advertises promising to get you out, charges $2,000 to $10,000 upfront, and then does little or nothing, sometimes just advising you to stop paying maintenance fees (which tanks your credit and can trigger foreclosure) or transferring your deed to a shell LLC that later dumps the debt back on you. The FTC's guidance on timeshare resale scams is direct that consumers should be wary of any company asking for payment before services are rendered and should verify claims independently before paying ^[3]. So: is the timeshare itself a scam? Usually not legally, just a bad deal sold hard. Is the exit industry full of scams? Yes, a meaningful share of it is, which is exactly why Ramsey's advice (sell cheap yourself, don't pay upfront) and consumer protection guidance line up so closely.

how do you actually get out of a timeshare?

Start with the free and cheap options before you consider paying anyone. In rough order of what to try first: 1. Check your rescission window. Every state gives new timeshare buyers a right to cancel within a short window after signing, no reason needed, no penalty. This is the fastest, cleanest exit if you're still inside it. Confirm your state's rescission window, because the length and required method (certified mail, specific notice language) varies by state law; Florida, for example, sets a 10-day cancellation period under its timeshare statute . See our how to get out of a timeshare guide for the state-by-state rundown. 2. Ask the resort about a deed-back or surrender program. Many major timeshare developers (Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Wyndham, and others) run their own deed-back or "exit" programs that let you return the deed for free or a small fee, provided your account is current and the resort accepts it. This isn't automatic, and resorts can say no, but it costs nothing to ask. 3. Try to sell or give it away on the resale market. List it on RedWeek, Timeshare Users Group, or similar licensed marketplaces. Expect $0 to a few hundred dollars. Some owners literally give the timeshare away to a family member or even a stranger willing to take over the deed and fees, through a proper deed transfer, not an informal handshake. 4. Only then consider a paid exit path, and if you do, verify the company's business license, check for state attorney general complaints, and never pay 100% upfront before any work is done. See timeshare exit companies for how to vet one. What you should not do at any point: stop paying maintenance fees or your loan while you're still under contract, hoping that non-payment forces a resolution. That triggers late fees, credit damage, and potential foreclosure on the timeshare interest, and it's a tactic some shady exit companies push because it's easy advice to give, not because it protects you.

how do you sell a timeshare?

List it yourself on a licensed resale marketplace, price it realistically low (often $1 to a few hundred dollars for older weeks products), and be transparent about annual fees in the listing so buyers know what they're taking on. Avoid paying any company an upfront "listing fee" or "marketing fee" before a sale actually closes; that's one of the oldest timeshare resale scam patterns, and the FTC's guidance on timeshare resale scams flags this specific pattern of upfront payment demands ^[3]. A legitimate resale broker typically works on commission, taking a cut only when the sale actually closes, similar to a real estate agent. If someone wants $500 or $1,000 upfront just to "list" your timeshare with no sale guaranteed, that's a strong scam signal. One more wrinkle: even after you find a buyer, the resort has to approve the deed transfer, and some resorts charge transfer fees ($100 to $500 is common) or have right-of-first-refusal clauses that let them block the sale or buy it back themselves at a low price. Read your original contract or call the resort's owner services line to confirm the transfer process before you promise a buyer anything.

how do you get rid of a timeshare when nobody will buy it?

When resale isn't working, deed-back and surrender are your next best options, and giving it away for $0 to a willing taker (with a proper deed transfer) beats sitting on it. Many resorts would rather take a paid-up deed back than chase a defaulting owner through foreclosure, since foreclosure costs the resort legal fees and leaves a unit they still have to remarket. That's part of why deed-back programs exist at all; see [deed-back programs] context on our site for how these work resort by resort. If the resort won't take it back and nobody will buy it, even for free, some owners look at donating the timeshare to a charity, though many charities have stopped accepting timeshare donations because they inherit the same fee obligation you're trying to escape. Always ask the specific charity whether they've accepted timeshare deeds before and how they plan to dispose of it. As a last resort, some owners let the timeshare go to foreclosure deliberately, understanding the credit hit and the fact that many timeshare loans are non-recourse or limited-recourse (meaning the lender can take the timeshare interest but has limited ability to chase you for the remaining balance), though this varies significantly by state and by the specific loan or deed language. This is a decision to make with actual legal advice, not a blog post, because the consequences depend heavily on your state's foreclosure and deficiency judgment rules.

what red flags separate a real exit option from a scam?

The single biggest red flag is a demand for a large upfront fee paired with a promise no honest company can back up. No legitimate company can promise your specific contract will be canceled, because the outcome depends on the resort, your state's law, and your specific deed. The FTC's guidance on timeshare resale and exit scams tells consumers to verify any claims a company makes and to be cautious before paying money upfront ^[3]. Other red flags worth watching for: - Cold calls or unsolicited emails claiming they have a "buyer waiting" for your timeshare, especially if they then ask for a fee to "process" the sale.

• Pressure to sign paperwork same-day or during the call.
• Instructions to stop paying your maintenance fees or mortgage as part of the "exit strategy." Legitimate advisors don't tell you to breach your contract; that's a request that should end the conversation.
• No verifiable business address, or a business license that doesn't check out with the state's Secretary of State business search.
• Refusal to put the fee structure and refund policy in writing before you pay anything. Many state consumer protection offices keep active alert pages about timeshare exit scams specifically; check your own state AG's consumer protection page before signing anything. Our timeshare call list has the actual phone numbers and offices worth contacting when you're checking a company or filing a complaint.

where does the $149 exit kit fit into all this?

If you want to do the work yourself instead of paying a $3,000 to $10,000 exit company retainer, ExitHonest's $149 one-time Exit Kit gives you the rescission letter templates, deed-back request scripts, and state-specific checklists to run the process on your own. It's built for owners who read guides like this one and think "I can do the letter-writing and paperwork myself, I just need the right documents and order of operations." It isn't a promise that your contract will be canceled, and no honest company can promise that outcome, since it depends on your state's law, your resort's policies, and the specifics of your contract. What it does is put the same free public information (state rescission statutes, deed-back program contacts, sample notice language) into one organized package instead of you hunting it down contract clause by contract clause. You can build yours at /exit-kit-builder if that fits where you're at.

what should you do first, this week, if you're stuck in a timeshare?

Check the date you signed and figure out immediately whether you're still inside your state's rescission window; if so, send a cancellation notice today by the method your state requires (usually certified mail), because these windows are measured in single-digit to low-double-digit days, not months, and Florida's own statute sets that window at 10 calendar days after execution of the contract or receipt of the public offering statement, whichever is later . If you've missed rescission, call the resort's owner services line and ask directly whether they run a deed-back or surrender program, get the answer in writing or email, and don't accept a verbal "maybe" as a final answer. If deed-back isn't available, list it for resale at a realistic price ($0 to a few hundred dollars for most weeks-based products) on a licensed marketplace, and resist any offer that requires you to pay money upfront before a sale closes. Keep paying your maintenance fees and any loan balance while you sort this out; missing payments doesn't speed up an exit, it just adds collections activity and credit damage on top of the problem you're already trying to solve. And whatever path you pick, run any company you're considering paying through a basic check: business license lookup, state AG consumer complaint search, and a plain question, "what happens to my money if this doesn't work?" A company that can't answer that clearly isn't one to pay.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a real Dave Ramsey timeshare exit company?

No. Dave Ramsey and Ramsey Solutions don't operate, own, or endorse any timeshare exit company. Ramsey's published advice is to sell the timeshare yourself, even for $1, and to avoid paying upfront fees to companies claiming they can cancel your contract. Any company implying a Ramsey endorsement should be checked carefully before you pay anything.

How do you get out of a timeshare?

Check whether you're still inside your state's rescission window first; that's the fastest free exit. If not, ask the resort about a deed-back or surrender program. If that's unavailable, list it for resale at a realistic (often near-$0) price. Avoid paying large upfront fees to exit companies, and never stop paying fees you legally owe.

How much is a timeshare worth?

On the resale market, most timeshare interests sell for $0 to a few hundred dollars, regardless of the original purchase price. Resale listing sites consistently show asking prices far below what owners originally paid, largely because much of the original price covered sales commissions and marketing, not the real estate itself.

How much do timeshares cost, including fees?

Upfront purchase prices typically run $10,000 to $40,000 or more. On top of that, annual maintenance fees commonly run roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per interval and climb most years, and owners can also face special assessments of $1,000 to $5,000 or more after storm damage or required renovations.

Are timeshares scams?

The purchase itself is usually legal but often sold through high-pressure, misleading tactics. The bigger scam risk sits in the exit industry: many companies charge thousands upfront and promise outcomes they can't back up, which the FTC's timeshare resale scam guidance warns against. Research any company through your state attorney general's office before paying anything.

How do you sell a timeshare?

List it on a licensed resale marketplace at a realistic price, often near $0 for older weeks-based products. Work with brokers who take commission on a closed sale, not upfront fees. Confirm the resort's deed transfer process and any transfer fees (commonly $100 to $500) before promising a buyer anything.

How do you get rid of a timeshare nobody wants to buy?

Try the resort's deed-back or surrender program first, since many resorts prefer taking a paid-up deed back over pursuing foreclosure. If that fails, consider giving it away for $0 through a proper deed transfer, or ask a charity if they still accept timeshare donations, since many no longer do.

What does Dave Ramsey actually recommend for timeshare owners?

Ramsey Solutions' published content calls timeshares a poor investment and recommends selling on the secondary market yourself, even at a steep loss, rather than paying an exit company thousands of dollars upfront. This lines up closely with FTC guidance warning against large upfront fees tied to exit promises that can't be verified.

What is a timeshare rescission period?

It's a short window after signing, set by state law, during which a buyer can cancel a timeshare purchase for any reason without penalty. The length and required cancellation method vary significantly by state; Florida's statute sets a 10-day window, so confirm your specific state's rescission period and follow its notice requirements exactly, usually via certified mail.

Can you stop paying maintenance fees to force an exit?

No, and doing so is risky. Stopping payment while you still legally owe the fees leads to late charges, collections, credit damage, and potential foreclosure on the timeshare interest. It doesn't speed up a legitimate exit. Some scam exit companies advise this, which is itself a red flag to walk away from.

How do you check if a timeshare exit company is legitimate?

Verify their business license through your state's Secretary of State search, check your state attorney general's consumer complaint database, and ask directly what happens to your money if the exit doesn't succeed. Avoid any company demanding full payment upfront or promising a specific outcome; the FTC's guidance warns those promises often can't legitimately be made.

Do timeshares ever have resale value close to what you paid?

Almost never. Resale marketplace listings consistently show prices far below original purchase prices, often $0 to a few hundred dollars. This gap exists mainly because the original price covers heavy sales and marketing costs, not appreciating real estate value.

Sources

1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: CFPB tracks consumer complaints describing timeshare exit and relief companies that collect upfront fees without delivering results
2. Ramsey Solutions, 'How to Get Rid of a Timeshare': Ramsey Solutions' recommendation to sell a timeshare yourself, even for $1, rather than pay an exit company
3. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice: 'Timeshare Resales': FTC guidance describing upfront fee demands and unverified promises as hallmarks of timeshare resale and exit scams
4. Florida Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Alert on Timeshare Resale Scams: State consumer protection warning describing timeshare resale scam tactics targeting owners seeking to exit
5. Florida Statutes Section 721.10, Cancellation of purchase contract: Florida's timeshare rescission period is 10 calendar days after contract execution or receipt of the public offering statement, whichever is later
6. U.S. Congress: Legislative proposals have sought to add federal consumer protections around timeshare exit and resale practices.
7. Florida Legislature: Florida law outlines specific disclosure and cancellation requirements for timeshare purchase contracts, including the rescission period.
8. Better Business Bureau: The BBB tracks complaint patterns and accreditation status for timeshare resale and exit companies, helping consumers spot red flags.