How to get out of a Westgate timeshare (real options)

Last updated 2026-07-24

How do you get out of a Westgate timeshare?

There are basically four real paths out of a Westgate Resorts timeshare, and they rank in order of how fast and cheap they are. First, if you're still inside your rescission window, cancel in writing now, that's free and it's your legal right. Second, if you're past rescission but current on fees, ask Westgate directly about its deed-back or surrender program (Westgate has offered one under some circumstances, though acceptance isn't guaranteed and terms change). Third, sell or give away the contract through a licensed timeshare resale broker or by transferring the deed yourself, understanding resale value is usually near zero. Fourth, if none of that works and you believe you were misled at the sales presentation, consult a real estate or consumer protection attorney about your legal options, which may include arguing the contract is voidable. What doesn't work: stopping payments and hoping Westgate forgets about you. Unpaid maintenance fees and loan balances go to collections, get reported to credit bureaus, and can end in foreclosure on the timeshare interest, which follows you even though the property itself isn't worth much. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's complaint database shows timeshare-related complaints frequently involve exactly this pattern: owners who stopped paying, assumed the debt would disappear, and instead ended up in collections or facing foreclosure notices months later ^[1]. There is no single fast, no-fee-required way to exit a timeshare you're financially attached to. Anyone who tells you otherwise, especially for a large fee collected before any work is done, is a red flag worth treating seriously. For a broader walkthrough of exit paths across all timeshare brands, see how to get out of a timeshare.

Can I still cancel my Westgate contract under a rescission period?

Yes, if you're still inside your state's rescission window, which is short and starts the day you sign (or in some states, the day you receive the final contract documents). Rescission periods are set by state law, not by Westgate, and they range roughly from 3 to 15 days depending on where you signed. Florida, where Westgate is headquartered and sells heavily to timeshare buyers, gives purchasers 10 calendar days to cancel under Florida Statutes section 721.10, and that cancellation right can't be waived by contract ^[2]. Other states set different windows: some as short as 3 business days, some longer. Because Westgate sells timeshares in multiple states and resort locations (Florida, Nevada, Missouri, Tennessee, and others), the rule that applies to you depends on where you signed the purchase agreement, not where you live. Confirm your state's rescission window with your state attorney general's consumer protection office before you assume you've missed it. To cancel, send written notice, by certified mail with tracking, to the exact address named in your contract's rescission clause. Say clearly that you're canceling and want a full refund of any deposit or down payment. Keep a copy of everything, and keep proof of mailing. Don't rely on a phone call alone, even if a salesperson says it's fine, because verbal cancellations are hard to prove later. For a state-by-state breakdown of these windows, see timeshare cancellation.

What if I'm past the rescission window, can I still get rid of it?

Yes, but it takes more work and there's no legal right to walk away just because you regret buying. Once rescission closes, you're bound by the contract like any other consumer loan or property deed, and Westgate (like any timeshare developer) isn't required to let you out. Your realistic options at that point: ask about a deed-back or surrender program, try to sell or transfer the deed to someone else, or hire an attorney if you have a specific legal claim (fraud in the sales presentation, a contract that violates state disclosure law, and so on). None of these is fast. Deed-back and resale can take months. A legal claim can take a year or more and isn't guaranteed to succeed. What you should not do is stop paying fees while you 'figure it out,' hoping that non-payment forces Westgate's hand. It usually doesn't. It just adds late fees, hurts your credit, and can trigger foreclosure proceedings on the timeshare interest, which some states process similarly to real property foreclosure. If you're genuinely unsure which lane you're in, a first useful move is organizing everything, contract, payment history, correspondence, and comparing your situation methodically against the how to get out of timeshare overview of exit paths, which walks through the decision points in order.

Does Westgate have a deed-back or surrender program?

Westgate has, at various points, offered deed-back or 'surrender' options for owners who are current on their maintenance fees and loan payments and want out. Availability and terms aren't fixed publicly and can change, so the only reliable way to find out your current options is to call Westgate's owner services line directly and ask in writing for their current deed-back or exit program terms. Deed-back programs generally require you to be paid in full on any loan balance (no mortgage owed on the unit) and current on maintenance fees and special assessments. If you owe money, most developers won't take the deed back until that's resolved, because they don't want to inherit debt along with the property. If Westgate offers you a deed-back, get every term in writing before you sign anything, including whether there's a fee, whether it affects your credit, and whether it fully releases you from future maintenance fee obligations. A deed-back that doesn't explicitly release you from future assessments isn't a real exit. For a broader look at how deed-back programs work industry-wide and what a legitimate one looks like, see how do you get out of a timeshare.

How do I sell a Westgate timeshare?

You can sell a Westgate timeshare, but you should walk in with realistic expectations: resale value for most timeshares is a small fraction of what was paid, and many listings sit for months or years without a buyer. Consumer research and industry data repeatedly point to a secondary market where timeshares often resell for a fraction of the developer purchase price, largely because developers keep selling new inventory directly and buyers can get comparable weeks cheaper on the resale market. To sell legitimately: list through a licensed real estate agent or timeshare resale broker in the state where the property sits (most states require a real estate license to broker property sales, timeshares included). Never pay a large upfront "listing fee" to a company that promises it can find you a buyer or a certain sale price before doing any work; that's a common scam structure regulators have repeatedly warned about ^[3]. A legitimate broker typically works on commission collected after a sale closes, not a big fee collected before any buyer is even found. Other realistic paths: give the timeshare away for $1 or transfer it directly to another owner willing to take over (some resale sites and owner forums exist for this specifically), or check if Westgate itself will take a transfer as part of a deed-back. If you're inheriting a Westgate timeshare from a relative and don't want it, you generally have the right to disclaim the inheritance in probate court before it transfers to you, which avoids taking on the fee obligation at all; a probate or estate attorney in the relevant state can tell you the deadline and process.

How much does a timeshare cost, and is Westgate's pricing typical?

The average price for a timeshare interval purchased new was $23,940 according to the American Resort Development Association's 2023 industry study, with average annual maintenance fees around $1,205 ^[4]. Westgate's pricing for new purchases generally falls in a similar range depending on resort, season, and unit size, sometimes higher for prime weeks at flagship properties in Orlando or Las Vegas. Maintenance fees aren't fixed for life. They typically rise annually, and special assessments (one-time charges for major repairs, storm damage, or renovations) can add thousands more in a single year. This is the single biggest driver of timeshare regret: buyers budget for the fee at purchase and don't plan for a decade of increases plus surprise assessments. On the resale market, Westgate weeks and points, like most branded timeshare product, typically sell for a small fraction of the original purchase price, and many listings simply don't sell at any price because supply from unhappy owners far outstrips demand. If you're deciding whether to keep paying or push toward an exit, run the math: total remaining maintenance fees over the years you'd realistically keep it, versus what exit options cost you now. For most owners several years in, the fees already paid are a sunk cost, the real decision is about the years ahead.

Are timeshares scams?

The timeshare product itself, buying a fixed or floating right to use a property for a week or in points each year, isn't inherently a scam; it's a real (if often overpriced and illiquid) legal contract. What is genuinely full of scams is the exit and resale side of the industry. The Federal Trade Commission has brought enforcement actions against timeshare exit and resale companies that charged large upfront fees and never delivered the promised cancellation or sale, sometimes leaving consumers thousands of dollars poorer and still owning the timeshare ^[5]. State attorneys general in Florida, Missouri, and other states with heavy timeshare concentration have pursued similar cases. The common thread: a company cold-calls or advertises to distressed owners, promises a fast exit or a buyer 'waiting,' demands payment (often $2,000 to $10,000 or more) before doing any work, and then does little or nothing. Red flags worth memorizing: pressure to pay immediately, guarantees of a specific outcome, requests to route payment through a title company or escrow you can't independently verify, and refusal to give you a written contract with a right to cancel. Legitimate attorneys and resale brokers don't need to pressure you; the paperwork speaks for itself. See our timeshare exit companies guide for how to check a company before paying it anything, and check any company against your state attorney general's consumer complaint database before signing.

What should I do if a Westgate sales presentation felt misleading?

Document everything while it's fresh: what was said, who said it, whether you got written disclosures matching the verbal pitch, and whether you felt rushed or pressured into signing same-day. Timeshare purchase agreements typically must include specific disclosures under state law (total cost, maintenance fee history, cancellation rights), and Florida's timeshare act, for example, requires developers to provide a public offering statement before or at the time of purchase ^[2]. If you're still inside your rescission window, the misleading pitch mostly doesn't matter yet, just cancel in writing, it's your absolute right during that window regardless of the reason. If you're past the window and believe there was actual fraud (false statements about investment value, resale guarantees, rental income promises that didn't pan out, or undisclosed material terms), that's a legal question for an attorney, not something a $2,000 exit company can fix with a phone call. Contract rescission for fraud after the statutory window closes is possible but requires proving specific misrepresentation, and it's litigation, not a form you fill out. Bring your notes, your contract, and any marketing materials to a consumer protection or real estate attorney licensed in the state where you signed.

What does it cost to hire help getting out of a Westgate timeshare?

Costs vary enormously depending on the path. Rescission during your legal window costs nothing but a stamp for certified mail. A deed-back, if Westgate offers it and you qualify, may be free or may carry a processing fee, ask for the number in writing before agreeing. A licensed resale broker typically works on commission (often a percentage of sale price) rather than a big flat fee up front, though some charge modest listing fees. Upfront-fee exit companies commonly charge somewhere between $2,000 and $10,000, sometimes more, collected before any cancellation happens, and this is exactly the model the FTC and state attorneys general have repeatedly flagged in enforcement actions ^[5]. That doesn't mean every paid service is a scam, but it means the price tag alone tells you almost nothing about whether the company can actually deliver, and a promise of success from any company should make you more suspicious, not less. We built our own $149 one-time Exit Kit at ExitHonest specifically because most owners don't need a $5,000 retainer, they need an organized way to check their rescission window, gather the paperwork Westgate or an attorney will actually ask for, and understand which of the four exit lanes above fits their situation before they pay anyone else a dollar. It's a toolkit, not a promise of a specific outcome, and it won't call Westgate for you or claim it can cancel your contract; nobody honest can promise that. If you want the structured version of everything in this article, the exit kit builder walks through it.

What happens if I just stop paying my Westgate maintenance fees?

Don't do this as a strategy, even though it's tempting when fees keep climbing. Unpaid maintenance fees typically accrue late charges and interest, get sent to collections, and get reported to credit bureaus, which can hurt your credit score for years. If you also owe a loan balance on the timeshare, missed payments there can trigger repossession or foreclosure on the timeshare interest, handled in some states through a streamlined nonjudicial process similar to how mortgage foreclosures work on real property. Some owners assume that because the timeshare itself isn't worth much, the resort won't bother collecting. That's often wrong; timeshare associations and developers regularly pursue collections and foreclosure because the maintenance fee obligation, spread across thousands of owners, adds up to real money for the homeowners association that maintains the property. If fees have become unaffordable, that's exactly the situation where you want to move fast on a real exit option (deed-back, sale, or legal review), not slow-walk toward default. Contact Westgate's owner services in writing, ask what current options exist for owners who can't sustain payments, and get any offer in writing before you rely on it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get out of a Westgate timeshare fast?

The only fast, no-fee exit is canceling in writing inside your state's rescission window, typically a matter of days after signing. Past that window, nothing is fast; deed-back, resale, and legal review all take weeks to months. Be wary of any company promising a quick, certain exit for an upfront fee, that promise itself is a warning sign.

How much do Westgate timeshares cost?

Industry-wide, the average new timeshare purchase price was $23,940 with average annual maintenance fees near $1,205, per ARDA's 2023 State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report. Westgate's pricing tracks similarly, varying by resort and season, and maintenance fees typically rise year over year plus occasional special assessments.

Can I sell my Westgate timeshare back to Westgate?

Sometimes. Westgate has offered deed-back or surrender programs for owners current on fees and loan payments, but terms aren't fixed and change over time. Call Westgate owner services directly, ask for current deed-back terms in writing, and don't assume acceptance since developers can decline.

Are timeshare exit companies legitimate?

Some are, many aren't. The FTC and multiple state attorneys general have pursued exit and resale companies that charged large upfront fees, sometimes $2,000 to $10,000 or more, and failed to deliver promised cancellations. Check any company against your state AG's complaint database before paying anything, and avoid firms that promise a specific outcome.

What is the rescission period for a Westgate timeshare in Florida?

Florida law gives timeshare purchasers 10 calendar days to cancel a purchase contract, under Florida Statutes section 721.10, and this right can't be waived. If you signed at a different Westgate location, confirm the applicable state's rescission window since it varies by where you signed, not where you live.

Can I just stop paying my Westgate maintenance fees to force an exit?

No, don't do this. Unpaid fees go to collections, hurt your credit, and can lead to foreclosure on the timeshare interest in some states. It doesn't force the resort to release you and typically leaves you worse off financially than pursuing a real exit path.

How do I know if a timeshare exit company is a scam?

Watch for pressure to pay immediately, guarantees of a specific outcome, upfront fees before any work is done, and refusal to provide a written contract with cancellation rights. Consumer complaint data compiled by the CFPB shows repeated patterns of paid-upfront exit services failing to deliver, so research any company thoroughly before paying large sums.

What happens to a Westgate timeshare when the owner dies?

It typically passes into the estate and can go to heirs through probate, along with the obligation to pay maintenance fees. Heirs generally have the right to disclaim (refuse) an inherited timeshare in probate court before it transfers to them, which avoids taking on the ongoing fee obligation. A probate attorney in the relevant state can confirm the deadline.

How much does it cost to get out of a timeshare through an exit company?

Fees commonly range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more when charged upfront, a pattern regulators have flagged in enforcement actions against exit companies that failed to deliver. Legitimate paths like rescission are free, and licensed resale brokers typically work on commission rather than large upfront fees.

Is it worth hiring an attorney to get out of a Westgate timeshare?

It can be, if you have a specific legal claim like fraud in the sales presentation or a contract that violated state disclosure requirements, and if the fees owed justify legal costs. It's not a fast fix; litigation over rescission after the statutory window takes time and isn't guaranteed to succeed.

Does Westgate report unpaid maintenance fees to credit bureaus?

Timeshare developers and their collections partners commonly report delinquent accounts to credit bureaus, similar to other consumer debt, though exact reporting practices aren't always public per account. Assume nonpayment can affect your credit and lead to collections or foreclosure rather than assuming it will be ignored.

Can I transfer my Westgate timeshare to someone else instead of selling it?

Yes, some owners transfer deeds directly to another party willing to take over payments, sometimes for $1 or free, through a deed transfer processed with the county recorder's office. Check whether Westgate requires its own approval or transfer paperwork first, since unauthorized transfers can be rejected or create confusion over who owes fees.

Sources

1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: Complaint patterns showing timeshare owners who stopped paying ended up in collections or facing foreclosure
2. Florida Statutes section 721.10, Cancellation: Florida gives timeshare purchasers 10 calendar days to cancel a purchase contract and this right cannot be waived
3. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Alert: Thinking of Getting Out of Your Timeshare?: Regulatory guidance warning against upfront fees from resale and exit companies that promise a buyer or cancellation before doing any work
4. American Resort Development Association, State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry 2023: Average timeshare purchase price of $23,940 and average annual maintenance fee of $1,205
5. Federal Trade Commission, FTC v. Timeshare Exit Team (Reed Hein & Associates, LLC): FTC enforcement action against a timeshare exit company for charging upfront fees without delivering promised cancellations