Timeshare cost per month: what owners actually pay in 2025

Last updated 2026-07-25

How much is a timeshare per month, really?

There's no single number, because a timeshare's monthly cost depends on whether you financed the purchase, what your maintenance fee is this year, and whether a special assessment landed on you. But you can build an honest range from public industry data. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the timeshare industry's own trade group, reported the average annual maintenance fee across its members at $1,260 in its 2023 State of the Vacation Ownership Industry report ^[1]. Divide that by 12 and you get about $105 a month just for maintenance fees, before you've paid a dime toward the purchase price itself. That average hides a lot. A studio-sized week at a modest drive-to resort might run $600 a year. A three-bedroom unit at a beachfront resort in Hawaii or Florida can run $2,500 to $3,500 a year or more. Fixed-week deeded timeshares, points-based club memberships, and fractional ownerships all price differently, and fees tend to rise faster than general inflation because they're set by the resort's homeowners association (HOA) or developer, not by a competitive market. So the honest answer to "how much is a timeshare" is: figure at least $1,260 a year in fees for an average unit, then add whatever you still owe on the purchase.

How much do timeshares cost to buy in the first place?

Timeshare developers rarely publish a single price list, but ARDA's own average transaction price for a timeshare interval was about $23,940 in its 2023 industry report ^[1]. That's the sticker price at initial sale, often for a one-week deeded interval or an equivalent points package. Resale prices are a different world. Because timeshares have almost no resale market and most owners are desperate to exit, listings on sites like RedWeek or eBay routinely show timeshares selling for $1 to a few hundred dollars, with the buyer sometimes even receiving cash incentives to take on the maintenance fee obligation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has noted that timeshare interests are difficult to resell and that owners often cannot recover anywhere near their original purchase price ^[2]. That gap between what developers charge new buyers ($20,000+) and what the same interval fetches on resale ($0 to a few hundred dollars) is the single most important fact for anyone considering buying, or trying to sell, a timeshare.

What's the real monthly cost once you include financing?

Maintenance fee (industry average)	~$105 [1]
Loan payment ($20,000 at 15% APR, 10 yr)	~$323
Special assessment (averaged over a bad year)	$20-$100+
Total during financed years	$425-$525+
Total after loan is paid off	~$105-$150	Once the loan is paid off, your monthly cost drops back down to just the maintenance fee, assuming no special assessment that year. That's the trap: salespeople often talk about "the cost of a vacation" without mentioning that the fee never goes away, even after you've paid off the purchase, and even in years you don't use the unit.

If you financed your purchase through the developer, which most buyers do, your monthly cost is a lot higher than the maintenance fee alone. Developer financing is notoriously expensive: interest rates commonly run from about 12% to 18% APR, well above typical unsecured consumer loan rates, and terms often stretch 7 to 10 years. Run the math on a $20,000 purchase financed at 15% APR over 10 years: the monthly loan payment alone is roughly $323. Add an average maintenance fee of about $105 a month, and you're at roughly $428 a month, before any special assessment. Here's a rough breakdown for a mid-range timeshare purchase: | Cost component | Typical monthly amount |

Why do maintenance fees keep going up?

Maintenance fees fund the resort's operating budget: staffing, utilities, insurance, landscaping, and a reserve fund for future repairs. Because there's no competitive pressure (you can't shop around once you own), and because resorts age and insurance costs climb, fees tend to rise every year, often faster than general consumer inflation. ARDA's own reporting shows average fees climbing from around $1,000 in the mid-2010s to $1,260 by 2023 ^[1], an increase of roughly 25% over less than a decade. Individual resorts can see much sharper jumps, especially after storm damage, a failed reserve study, or major litigation costs get passed to owners. Special assessments are the other shoe. These are one-time (or sometimes recurring) charges layered on top of the regular maintenance fee, usually to cover storm damage, a new roof, elevator replacement, or a lawsuit settlement. There's no federal cap on how large a special assessment can be; it's governed by the resort's HOA documents and state law where the resort is located. Owners have reported assessments ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand in a single year for major repairs.

Are timeshares scams?

The purchase itself usually isn't illegal, but the sales tactics and the ongoing cost structure leave a lot of owners feeling scammed, and a distinct industry of exit scams has grown up around that frustration. The Federal Trade Commission has pursued enforcement action against timeshare exit companies directly. In its case against Timeshare Termination Team, the FTC alleged the company charged consumers thousands of dollars in up-front fees while falsely promising to get them out of their timeshare contracts, and a federal court entered a settlement barring the practice ^[3]. State attorneys general in Florida, California, and elsewhere have brought similar enforcement actions against exit companies that took large upfront fees and never delivered a cancellation. The timeshare itself is a real, if often overpriced, product: a right to use a unit for a period each year, sold with high-pressure sales tactics and inflated pricing relative to resale value. What crosses into scam territory more often is (a) misleading sales presentations that promise investment value or easy resale, and (b) exit companies that charge thousands upfront and disappear. If a company promises they can cancel your timeshare no matter what and asks for a large fee before doing any work, treat that as a red flag. No exit path can be promised in advance, and no one legally needs to charge you $5,000-$10,000 upfront to submit paperwork on your behalf.

How do you get out of a timeshare?

There are basically four real paths out, and the right one depends on how new your purchase is and what your resort will agree to. First, rescission. Every state gives new timeshare buyers a short window to cancel with no penalty, no reason needed. This is by far the cleanest exit, but the clock is short, often just a handful of calendar days from signing, and it varies by state. Confirm your state's rescission window and the required cancellation method (usually written notice, sometimes certified mail) before you assume you've missed it. Read more in our guide to how to get out of a timeshare. Second, a deed-back or surrender program. Many resorts and developers now run their own deed-back programs that let you hand the deed back, sometimes for free, sometimes for a transfer fee. This only works if your account is current and the resort agrees to take it back; there's no federal or state law forcing a resort to accept a deed-back. Third, resale, though as noted above, resale value on most timeshares is close to zero and sometimes negative once you factor in transfer fees and closing costs. Fourth, working through an owner-initiated cancellation or negotiated exit, sometimes with legal help, particularly if the original sale involved provable misrepresentation. What you should not do: stop paying your maintenance fees and assume the account will just go away. Unpaid fees can lead to collections, credit damage, and in some states a lien or foreclosure-like process against the deeded interest. If you're behind, talk to the HOA or a consumer law attorney before you simply stop paying.

How to sell a timeshare (and what it actually gets you)

Selling a timeshare is legal and straightforward mechanically, but the market is brutal. Start by checking what your specific resort's transfer or closing fees are; some developers charge $300-$600 just to process a resale transfer, on top of whatever price you negotiate with a buyer. Realistic channels include resale marketplaces like RedWeek, licensed timeshare resale brokers registered in states that require it (Florida requires timeshare resellers to be licensed real estate professionals or registered resale service providers, per Florida Statutes Section 721.20 ^[4]), and direct sale to another owner at the same resort, who may value it more than a stranger would. Before you list anything, get your fee balance current; almost no one will buy a timeshare with an unpaid maintenance fee balance attached, since that debt often follows the deed. Price honestly: given resale averages near zero, a listing at anywhere close to your original purchase price will likely sit for years unsold. If a resale company asks you to pay an upfront listing or marketing fee before they've produced a single verified buyer, that's the same red flag pattern as an exit scam. See our breakdown of timeshare exit companies for how to vet one before paying anything.

How to get rid of a timeshare you inherited

Inheriting a timeshare puts you in an unusual spot: you never chose to buy it, but many states treat a deeded timeshare interest like any other real property in an estate, meaning it can pass to heirs whether they want it or not. If the estate is still in probate, an executor can sometimes disclaim (formally refuse) the timeshare interest before it transfers, which may keep it out of the heir's name entirely; this depends on state probate law and needs to happen before acceptance. The Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act, adopted in some form by many states, generally requires a written, signed disclaimer delivered within a set period to be effective; check your state's specific probate code section on disclaimers before assuming this option is available ^[5]. Once you've already accepted a deed or started paying fees, you're generally treated as the current owner, with the same rescission, deed-back, and resale options described above (except the rescission window, which applies only to original purchasers within days of the original sale, not to inherited interests). Check with the resort directly about deed-back or surrender options for inherited units first, since some resorts have specific programs for heirs who don't want the property. If the estate has other assets, an estate attorney can advise on disclaiming the interest before your name shows up on the deed.

What does a full exit actually cost, and is paying for help worth it?

Legitimate paths to exit a timeshare cost very little beyond your time: rescission is free if you're inside the window, and many deed-back programs charge only a modest processing fee, often in the $200-$500 range, sometimes nothing at all. Where cost creeps up is with third-party help. Some exit companies charge $3,000 to $10,000 or more upfront, with no guarantee of results, which is exactly the pattern the FTC targeted in its Timeshare Termination Team enforcement action ^[3]. A cheaper, more defensible model is paying a flat fee for organized documentation, letter templates, and a state-specific action plan you execute yourself, which is the model behind ExitHonest's $149 one-time Exit Kit: a fixed cost for structure and paperwork, not a promise to cancel anything on your behalf, because no one can promise that outcome in advance. Whatever path you take, verify any company you're paying against your state attorney general's consumer protection division before sending money. Florida's Attorney General publishes a consumer alert specifically on timeshare resale and exit offers that walks through common red flags .

How to spot an exit scam before you pay anything

Regulators have documented a specific pattern: legitimate resale or exit help should not require a large fee paid entirely upfront before any work is done or any result is delivered. The FTC's complaint against Timeshare Termination Team described a company that collected upfront fees and then failed to deliver the promised cancellations, resulting in a court-ordered settlement ^[3]. Common scam patterns include unsolicited calls claiming to have "a buyer already lined up" for your unit, requests for payment by wire transfer or gift card, and pressure to decide within 24 to 48 hours. A few concrete checks before you pay any company: confirm they're registered or licensed in the state where required (Florida's Section 721.20 covers resale service provider licensing) ^[4]; ask for their cancellation and refund policy in writing; and search "[company name] attorney general complaint" before signing anything. If a caller already knows details about your specific timeshare and claims to represent your resort or a government program, that's also a common scam script, since legitimate resorts contact you through your existing account, not cold calls. Our timeshare exit companies guide and timeshare call list page walk through how to vet a specific company name against public complaint records before you commit any money.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a timeshare per month on average?

Figure roughly $105 a month for maintenance fees alone, based on ARDA's reported 2023 average of $1,260 a year ^[1]. If you're still financing the purchase, add a loan payment that can run $200-$400 a month depending on the price and interest rate, which is often 12-18% APR through developer financing.

How much do timeshares cost to buy?

ARDA reported the average transaction price for a timeshare interval at about $23,940 in 2023 ^[1]. Resale prices are dramatically lower, often near $0 to a few hundred dollars, because resale demand is weak and most sellers just want out of the maintenance fee obligation.

Are timeshares a scam?

The product itself is legal, but the CFPB warns that timeshare interests are hard to resell near their original price ^[2], and the FTC has taken enforcement action against exit companies that charged large upfront fees without delivering results ^[3]. The bigger risk for most owners isn't the original purchase, it's paying an upfront fee to an unverified exit or resale company that never delivers.

How do I get out of a timeshare if I just bought it?

Check your state's rescission law immediately. Every state gives new buyers a short cancellation window, but it's often just a matter of days and requires written notice, sometimes by certified mail. Confirm your specific state's rescission window and method before assuming it's too late; missing it by even a day usually forfeits the right.

How do you get out of a timeshare you've owned for years?

Ask your resort about a deed-back or surrender program first; it's often free or low-cost if your account is current. If that's not available, resale is possible but usually nets close to nothing. Never stop paying fees as a strategy; unpaid balances can lead to collections or liens depending on your state.

How to sell a timeshare without getting scammed?

Use a known resale marketplace or a broker licensed under your resort state's law (Florida requires licensing under Section 721.20 ^[4]), get your maintenance fees current first, and never pay a large upfront fee to a company promising a guaranteed buyer. Verify any company against your state attorney general's consumer complaint database first.

How to get rid of a timeshare you inherited?

If the estate is still in probate, an executor may be able to disclaim the interest before it transfers to you, depending on state law and its disclaimer statute. If you've already accepted it, you have the same options as any owner: ask about a deed-back, try resale, or work with the resort directly. The original rescission window doesn't apply to inherited interests.

What's the difference between a maintenance fee and a special assessment?

The maintenance fee is your predictable annual charge for operating costs, averaging about $1,260 a year industry-wide ^[1]. A special assessment is an extra, often unpredictable charge layered on top, usually for storm damage, major repairs, or reserve fund shortfalls, and can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars in a bad year.

Can a timeshare go up in value like real estate?

Almost never. The CFPB notes timeshare interests are generally difficult to resell for anywhere near the purchase price, and resale prices for most timeshares run far below what owners originally paid ^[2]. Treat any sales pitch describing a timeshare as an investment as a red flag.

Is it ever worth paying an exit company to cancel a timeshare?

It depends entirely on what they're charging for. Paying thousands upfront for a promised cancellation is the pattern regulators have pursued in court, since no company can promise an outcome with certainty. Paying a modest flat fee for document templates, a state-specific action plan, and organized guidance you execute yourself is a different, lower-risk arrangement.

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

Don't do this as a strategy. Unpaid fees typically go to collections, can damage your credit, and in many states can lead to a lien against the deeded interest or a foreclosure-like process. If you can't afford the fees, contact the resort about a deed-back or hardship option before you miss payments.

How much does a timeshare special assessment usually cost?

There's no fixed average; special assessments are set by each resort's HOA based on the specific repair or shortfall. Owners have reported assessments from a few hundred dollars to several thousand after storm damage or major capital repairs. There's no federal cap; it's governed by the resort's governing documents and state HOA law.

How do you get out of a timeshare loan you're still paying off?

The loan and the deed are usually separate obligations tied to the same contract, so getting out of the timeshare (via deed-back or rescission) doesn't automatically erase a signed loan balance unless the resort agrees to release you from both. Check your contract's terms and talk to the lender or resort directly about what surrender does to the loan.

Sources

1. ARDA, State of the Vacation Ownership Industry (2023 data): Average annual maintenance fee of $1,260 and average transaction price of about $23,940 for a timeshare interval
2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "What is a timeshare?" (Ask CFPB): Timeshare interests are difficult to resell for anywhere near the original purchase price
3. FTC, "FTC Action Leads to Court Order Banning Timeshare Exit Team Operators" press release, September 2021: FTC enforcement action against a timeshare exit company that charged consumers thousands of dollars upfront without delivering promised cancellations
4. Uniform Law Commission, Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act (1999), full text via National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws: States have adopted disclaimer statutes requiring written, signed, timely disclaimers for an heir to refuse an inherited property interest
5. Florida Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Alert: "Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians of Timeshare Resale Scams": State attorney general offices publish timeshare-specific consumer alerts on resale and exit scam red flags
6. Internal Revenue Service: Interest paid on a loan used to finance a timeshare purchase may be deductible under specific mortgage interest rules, affecting the real monthly cost calculation.
7. U.S. Department of Justice: Owners of timeshare exit companies have faced federal prosecution for defrauding consumers seeking to cancel their timeshare contracts.
8. U.S. Congress: Legislative efforts have targeted deceptive timeshare exit and resale practices to protect consumers.
9. Florida Office of the Attorney General: State attorneys general have issued specific guidance warning consumers about timeshare resale and exit scams.