Last updated 2026-07-25
TL;DR
The average timeshare purchase price is roughly $16,000 to $24,000, and average annual maintenance fees run about $1,300 and climb almost every year. Add closing costs, special assessments, financing interest, and exit costs, and lifetime spending often reaches $50,000 to $100,000 or more for a deed you may struggle to resell for anything.
How much does a timeshare cost to buy?
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the timeshare industry's own trade group, reported an average purchase price of $23,940 for a timeshare interval in its 2023 State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report. Earlier ARDA data put the average closer to $22,000 in 2019, so prices have crept upward even as resale values have collapsed. That number is an average across a huge range. A small studio-week at a lower-tier resort might sell for $8,000 to $12,000. A two-bedroom villa in a fixed winter week at a name-brand resort in Hawaii or Florida can list for $40,000 or more at the developer sales table. Fractional and luxury products (quarter-share or longer stays at high-end resorts) can run into six figures. Here's the part salespeople don't lead with: none of that purchase price is really an investment. Timeshares are not real estate in the way a house is. You're buying the right to use a unit for a set time each year (or a points allotment), and that right almost never appreciates. Resale prices for the same product often run 80% to 90% below the original developer price, and on sites like the Timeshare Users Group or eBay, many weeks list for $1 or trade for the cost of closing fees alone. If you're weighing whether to buy at all, or whether to walk away from a contract you haven't closed on yet, read up on how to get out of a timeshare before you sign anything you can't undo.
How much do timeshares cost every year after you buy?
The purchase price is just the entry fee. The real long-term cost is the annual maintenance fee, and it never stops as long as you own. ARDA's 2023 report put the average annual maintenance fee at $1,388 per interval. Owners of larger units or multiple weeks pay proportionally more. These fees cover housekeeping, utilities, staffing, insurance, and reserve funds for the resort, and the timeshare board (or the developer, in many contracts) sets the number, not you. Maintenance fees have historically risen faster than general inflation. Industry surveys and owner associations have tracked average annual increases in the 3% to 5% range for years, though some resorts have posted double-digit jumps in a single year, especially after storm damage or major renovations. A fee of $1,000 growing at 5% a year becomes about $1,630 in 10 years and roughly $2,650 in 20 years, using simple compound growth. Nobody can promise your resort's fee history will match that curve exactly. Some stay flatter, some spike hard after one bad hurricane season. On top of the routine fee, most contracts allow the resort to levy special assessments, one-time or multi-year charges for major repairs, storm damage, or renovations that reserve funds don't cover. Owners have reported assessments from a few hundred dollars up to $5,000 or more per interval after events like Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022. There's no cap on this in most contracts, and it's due whether or not you plan to visit that year.
What's the real lifetime cost of owning a timeshare?
Run the math on a fairly typical week-based timeshare and the number gets uncomfortable fast. Say you buy at the ARDA average of about $24,000, finance part of it through the developer at a rate that's commonly 12% to 18% APR (developer financing is almost always more expensive than a bank loan), and pay average maintenance fees starting around $1,300 and rising 4% a year. Over a 20-year ownership, you could easily pay: - $24,000 to $35,000 in purchase price plus financing interest
- $35,000 to $45,000 in cumulative maintenance fees (accounting for the annual increases)
- $2,000 to $10,000 or more in special assessments over two decades, depending on the resort's luck with weather and repairs
- Closing costs, exchange company fees (if you use RCI or Interval International), and travel costs on top of that Add it up and a $24,000 purchase can easily become $80,000 to $100,000 spent over 20 years for a product that, if you tried to sell it today, might fetch a few hundred dollars or nothing at all. That's the trap: the ongoing costs, not the sticker price, are what actually drain owners over time. If rising fees are the reason you're looking at the exit, our maintenance fees coverage walks through how those increases actually get approved and what options, if any, an owner has to contest them.
Are timeshares scams?
The product itself is legal in every state, so "timeshare" as a category isn't a scam by definition. But the sales process and, separately, a whole industry of exit scams built around desperate owners, have earned the skepticism. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a public complaint database where consumers have filed complaints about timeshare resale and exit companies, and state attorneys general in Missouri, Texas, and elsewhere have sued timeshare exit companies for taking upfront fees, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, and doing little or nothing to actually cancel the contract [1] [2]. So the honest answer: the original purchase is a real, legal contract, usually a bad financial deal for the price you pay relative to what you get, sold using aggressive high-pressure tactics at a sales presentation. The scam risk multiplies once you try to get out, when companies charging huge upfront fees promise an easy exit and then disappear or stall for years. Before paying anyone claiming they can cancel your timeshare, check whether they're registered to do business in your state, search their name plus "complaint" alongside your state attorney general's consumer protection division, and never wire money or pay in gift cards. Our exit scam awareness coverage on ExitHonest has more detail on the red flags to watch for.
How do you get out of a timeshare?
There are basically four honest paths out, and no path is free or instant. 1. Rescission. If you just signed, most states give you a short window, often 3 to 10 days depending on the state, to cancel with no penalty. This is by far the cheapest and cleanest exit, but it only works right after signing. Confirm your state's rescission window with your state's specific statute or your state attorney general's consumer page, because the day count and delivery method (certified mail is common) vary by state. 2. Deed-back or surrender programs. Some developers, including Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Wyndham, run programs that let owners in good standing (fees paid, no liens) hand the deed back, sometimes for a modest fee, sometimes free. Not every resort offers this, and it typically requires the mortgage to be paid off first. 3. Resale. You can try to sell through a licensed timeshare resale broker or by owner. Be realistic: most weeks sell for a small fraction of the original price, if they sell at all. Many owners end up giving the timeshare away for the cost of transfer fees just to stop paying maintenance fees. 4. Working with a legitimate exit firm or building your own exit paperwork. This is where cost and scam risk vary the most, covered in detail below. For a state-by-state look at rescission rules, see how do you get out of a timeshare and how to get out of timeshare.
How to sell a timeshare (and what it actually costs)
Selling is legal and sometimes possible, but the resale market is brutal, and understanding that is the first step to setting a realistic price. Consumer advocates and industry researchers have long noted that resale prices typically run far below original purchase prices, often 70% to 90% lower, because supply massively outstrips demand: everyone wants out, almost nobody wants in. Listing through a licensed resale broker (not a company that charges big upfront marketing fees) is safer than working with an unlicensed "reseller" who cold-calls you. Realistic costs to expect when selling: a broker commission if it sells (commonly 10% to 40% of the low sale price, or a flat fee), transfer or deed recording fees charged by the resort (often $100 to $500), and sometimes an estoppel or transfer fee the HOA charges to update ownership records. Some resorts charge $200 to $400 just to process a transfer, win or lose. Red flag to remember: a legitimate broker gets paid when the sale closes. Anyone who wants a large fee upfront before they've sold anything, especially cash, wire transfer, or gift cards, is very likely a scam operation, something state attorneys general have repeatedly documented in enforcement actions against resale and exit companies [1] [2].
How to get rid of a timeshare when it won't sell
When resale is a dead end, the goal shifts from "get money for it" to "stop the bleeding without paying a scam artist." Start with the resort itself. Call and ask directly whether they offer a deed-back, surrender, or "exit" program. Marriott Vacation Club's Exit Program and Hilton Grand Vacations' similar offerings exist specifically because developers would rather take a paid-off unit back than deal with an owner in default. These programs usually require the loan to be fully paid and the fees current, so they don't help someone behind on payments. Next, check whether your state's timeshare statute or your HOA's governing documents allow surrender without resale (some states have specific timeshare acts that address this, and your deed or public records office can confirm what entity actually holds title). Florida's timeshare act, for example, governs disclosure and rescission requirements for timeshare purchases and can be a starting point for understanding what your contract is legally required to spell out [3]. If you decide to build the paperwork yourself, that's the model behind our $149 one-time Timeshare Exit Kit, a flat-fee alternative to the $3,000 to $10,000 upfront packages some exit companies charge. It gives you the letters, checklists, and documentation approach owners use to pursue deed-back and surrender options themselves, without a big upfront commitment or a guarantee we can't legally make. Whatever path you take, keep paying maintenance fees and any loan payments you owe while you sort this out. Stopping payment can trigger late fees, collections, credit damage, or foreclosure on the timeshare interest, and it doesn't cancel the contract.
How much does hiring a timeshare exit company cost?
Exit companies (the ones that advertise heavily and cold-call owners) commonly charge $2,000 to $10,000 or more upfront, sometimes reportedly higher for complex or multi-property cases. Some ask for the money in installments, some want it all at signing. The problem: paying upfront doesn't guarantee anything. State attorneys general have pursued timeshare exit companies under their consumer protection statutes, alleging these firms collected large upfront fees from consumers without delivering the promised cancellations [1]. Texas has pursued similar cases against timeshare exit operators under its Deceptive Trade Practices Act, codified at Chapter 17 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, which prohibits "false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce" [2]. Before paying any exit company, check the company's name plus "attorney general complaint" or "lawsuit" in your state and a couple of neighboring states, ask for a written contract that spells out exactly what happens if they don't succeed and whether refunds are available, and be wary of anyone who promises the process is certain to work or will definitely erase your credit exposure. No legitimate company can promise your timeshare will be canceled, because it depends on your specific contract, resort, and state law. Our timeshare exit companies page compares how these firms operate and what questions to ask before signing with one.
What does a timeshare cost during the rescission window?
If you're still inside your rescission period, the cost of backing out should be zero or close to it. That's the entire point of rescission law: it lets a buyer cancel a fresh purchase without penalty, no fees owed, no signature needed from the resort's sales team to "approve" it. Most states require the cancellation notice in writing, often by certified mail with a return receipt, sent to the exact address in the purchase contract, within the state's specific day count from either the signing date or the date you received the last required disclosure document, whichever the statute specifies. Florida's timeshare statute, for instance, sets out specific cancellation and disclosure requirements for timeshare purchases in that state [3]. Because these details vary so much by state and can trip people up (wrong address, missed deadline by a day, wrong delivery method), always pull your own state's statute or your state attorney general's consumer protection page rather than relying on a generic timeline. If a resort tries to charge you a cancellation fee, restocking fee, or anything else to exercise a valid rescission right, that's worth flagging to your state attorney general's office. Rescission rights generally cannot be waived by contract language just because the sales agreement says so. See our timeshare cancellation guide for the mechanics of writing and sending a rescission letter correctly.
Timeshare cost at a glance
| Cost category | Typical range | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average purchase price | $16,000 to $24,000 | ARDA average is $23,940 for 2022 | |
| Average annual maintenance fee | About $1,300 to $1,400 | ARDA average is $1,388; rises most years | |
| Special assessment (after storm/repair) | $200 to $5,000+ per event | No cap in most contracts | |
| Resale price vs. purchase price | 70% to 90% lower | Often near-zero resale value | |
| Resort transfer/deed fee | $100 to $500 | Charged even on a deed-back | |
| Typical upfront exit company fee | $2,000 to $10,000+ | Paid before any cancellation is achieved | |
| Flat-fee DIY exit paperwork | $149 one time | Example: ExitHonest's Exit Kit | These ranges reflect industry-wide averages and public enforcement records, not any single resort's contract. Your actual numbers depend entirely on your resort, your state, and what's in your specific deed or contract, so pull your maintenance fee statement and closing documents before assuming any of these figures apply exactly to you. |
Frequently asked questions
How much is a timeshare on average?
The average timeshare purchase price is about $23,940, according to ARDA's 2023 State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report [1]. Prices vary widely by resort tier, unit size, and season, from roughly $8,000 for a small studio week to $40,000 or more for larger units at premium resorts.
How much do timeshares cost per year in maintenance fees?
The average annual maintenance fee is about $1,388 per ARDA's 2023 data [1]. Fees typically rise 3% to 5% a year and can jump much higher after a special assessment for storm damage or major renovations, which isn't included in the routine annual fee.
Are timeshares scams?
The timeshare product itself is legal, but sales tactics are often high-pressure and the resale value is nearly always far below the purchase price. Separately, state attorneys general have documented that many companies offering to resell or cancel timeshares for an upfront fee take the money and deliver nothing [2][3].
How do you get out of a timeshare?
Four main paths: cancel during your state's rescission window if you just bought it, ask the developer about a deed-back or surrender program, try resale through a licensed broker, or work through the exit paperwork yourself. Keep paying fees you owe throughout; stopping payment risks collections or foreclosure on the timeshare interest, not cancellation.
How to sell a timeshare?
List with a licensed resale broker who earns commission only on a completed sale, or sell by owner on established resale marketplaces. Expect the price to run 70% to 90% below the original purchase price, and budget for the resort's transfer or deed recording fee, commonly $100 to $500.
How to get rid of a timeshare that won't sell?
Ask the resort directly about a deed-back or surrender program; several major brands like Marriott Vacation Club and Hilton Grand Vacations offer one for paid-off owners in good standing. If that's not available, review your state's timeshare statute and your contract for other surrender options before paying any company a large upfront fee.
What is the average cost to exit a timeshare through an exit company?
Exit companies commonly charge $2,000 to $10,000 or more upfront, with no guarantee of success. State attorneys general have taken enforcement action against exit companies for collecting large fees and failing to deliver promised cancellations, so verify any company's complaint history before paying anything upfront [2].
Is there a way to exit a timeshare without paying thousands upfront?
Yes. Options include exercising your rescission right if you're still within the window, using a developer's deed-back program if you qualify, or building the exit paperwork yourself using consumer guides and templates rather than paying a full-service exit company. Flat-fee DIY paperwork kits, like ExitHonest's $149 Exit Kit, are one lower-cost alternative to a large upfront retainer.
How much does it cost to cancel a timeshare during the rescission period?
Canceling during a valid rescission window should cost nothing. State rescission laws generally require resorts to refund the buyer in full once a proper written cancellation notice is delivered on time, though the exact day count and delivery method vary by state, so confirm your state's specific rescission statute.
What happens if I stop paying my timeshare maintenance fees?
You risk late fees, collection calls, credit score damage, and eventually foreclosure or forfeiture of the timeshare interest, similar to defaulting on a mortgage. Stopping payment does not cancel your contract or remove your legal obligation; it just adds penalties on top of what you already owe.
Do timeshare prices ever go down or get discounted?
Developer sales prices rarely drop in any meaningful way for new buyers; discounts offered at presentations are typically inflated first before pricing to make the deal look better. Resale prices, on the other hand, are almost always far lower than developer prices, sometimes 70% to 90% less, because of oversupply in the resale market.
Can I inherit a timeshare and just refuse it?
In many states an heir can disclaim (formally refuse) an inherited timeshare interest through the probate process, which can prevent them from taking on the maintenance fee obligation, though rules vary by state and by the resort's contract. Consult the estate's probate attorney and check your state's disclaimer of interest statute before assuming this applies to your situation.
Are all timeshare exit programs the same?
No. Developer-run deed-back or surrender programs (offered by companies like Marriott Vacation Club or Hilton Grand Vacations) typically require the loan paid off and fees current, and often charge little or nothing. Third-party exit companies vary widely in cost and legitimacy, and some have faced state attorney general lawsuits for deceptive practices.
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: Consumers file complaints about timeshare resale and exit companies with federal regulators
- Texas Business and Commerce Code, Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act, Section 17.46: Texas law used to pursue enforcement against timeshare exit and resale operators for deceptive upfront-fee practices
- Federal Trade Commission, 16 CFR Part 310 (Telemarketing Sales Rule): Federal rule restricting upfront fees for certain telemarketed debt relief and similar consumer services, relevant to how exit companies solicit and charge fees
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 721, Vacation and Timeshare Plans, Section 721.06: Florida's timeshare statute governs rescission rights and contract disclosure requirements for timeshare purchases in the state
- U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-19-329, Disaster Recovery: Additional Actions Needed to Address Impacts of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria: Storm damage from major hurricanes has driven large repair and special assessment costs at coastal properties, including resorts