Westgate timeshare resale value and rising maintenance fees

Last updated 2026-07-25

What is a Westgate timeshare actually worth on resale?

Most Westgate timeshares are worth close to nothing on the resale market, sometimes literally $1, sometimes a few hundred dollars, occasionally a couple thousand for a high-demand week at a flagship resort like Westgate Lakes or Westgate Las Vegas in a strong season. That's the honest range you'll see reflected in completed sales on resale marketplaces and timeshare resale forums. The gap between what people paid and what they can get back is enormous. A Westgate buyer who financed a deeded week or a points package at a developer sales presentation commonly paid somewhere between $10,000 and $40,000, plus closing costs and often a high-interest loan through the resort's own finance arm. On resale, that same interest routinely lists for a few hundred dollars, and plenty of listings sit unsold for years because there simply aren't enough buyers. This isn't unique to Westgate. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the timeshare industry's own trade group, tracks the vacation ownership industry and has reported for years that resale prices for timeshare interests sit far below original developer prices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's public complaint database also includes consumer narratives describing timeshare interests as difficult to resell or transfer once the buyer wants out ^[1]. If you're holding a Westgate deed or points contract and hoping to sell it to fund a home renovation or pay off debt, recalibrate that expectation now. The realistic goal for most owners isn't profit. It's getting out without paying more than you have to.

Why do timeshares lose so much resale value?

Three forces work against you at once: oversupply, ongoing fee obligations, and lack of a real secondary market infrastructure. First, oversupply. Millions of timeshare interests already exist, and Westgate alone operates dozens of resorts across states like Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Every year more owners try to exit through resale, inheritance transfer, or deed-back, adding to a resale pool that already outnumbers buyers. Basic supply and demand crushes the price. Second, the maintenance fee obligation attaches to the interest itself, not to the original buyer. A resale buyer is agreeing to pay whatever the annual fee is, plus any special assessment the resort board votes on, for as long as they own it. That's a liability, more than an asset, and it scares off casual buyers who could otherwise book a hotel or rent a week from someone else for less money and zero long-term commitment. Third, there's no organized exchange like a stock market. You're selling into a fragmented mix of resale brokers, closed Facebook groups, and owner forums, with no standardized pricing and a lot of scam activity aimed at desperate sellers (more on that below). Compare that to a car or a house, where comparable sales data is easy to find and title transfer is routine. Timeshare resale has neither.

How much do Westgate maintenance fees cost, and how fast do they rise?

Year 1 (purchase)	$800-$1,500	N/A, just purchased for $10,000-$40,000+
Year 5	$1,000-$1,800	Often $500 or less
Year 10	$1,200-$2,200+	Often $0-$300, sometimes unsellable
Year 15+	$1,500-$2,500+ (plus special assessments)	Frequently listed for $1 or given away	These figures are directional based on owner-reported ranges and industry averages, not an official Westgate fee schedule, since fees vary by specific resort and unit. Check your own annual disclosure statement for the actual number tied to your contract.

Maintenance fees vary by resort, unit size, and points volume, but owners commonly report annual fees somewhere between $800 and $2,500 for a single week or an equivalent points package, with larger units and premium resorts running higher. On top of the base fee, special assessments for storm damage, renovations, or reserve fund shortfalls can add hundreds or thousands more in a single year, and those are billed separately from the regular annual fee. Maintenance fees are not fixed for the life of the contract. They rise most years, driven by property insurance costs, labor, utilities, and capital repairs. Florida's timeshare statute requires the managing entity to adopt an annual budget and disclose assessments to owners, and it governs how owners are notified of dues ^[2], but the law doesn't cap how much fees can go up year to year; it mainly governs disclosure and process. ARDA-reported industry data has put average annual timeshare maintenance fees in a similar four-figure range in recent years, with year-over-year increases common across the industry, more than at Westgate. If you've owned for a decade or more, it's worth comparing what you paid in year one against your most recent bill; a lot of owners are shocked to see the increase laid out side by side. Here's a rough sense of how the math typically looks: | Year owned | Typical maintenance fee range (points/week package) | Resale value at that point |

Can I still cancel my Westgate contract? What is the rescission window?

If you bought recently, you may still be inside your state's rescission period, sometimes called a cooling-off period, and this is by far your fastest and cheapest way out. Every state that regulates timeshares sets its own rescission window, and it's short, often measured in single-digit days from the date you signed or received the last required disclosure document. Because Westgate sells in multiple states, your rescission period depends on where you signed, not where Westgate is headquartered. Florida's timeshare statute sets a specific cancellation period running from the date the purchaser signs the contract or receives the last of the required documents, whichever is later, and the statute spells out that "a purchaser may cancel a contract until midnight of the 10th calendar day following the date of execution of the contract" ^[2]. Nevada, Tennessee, South Carolina, and other states where Westgate operates each have their own separate statute with their own day count and their own required delivery method for the cancellation notice. Do not guess. Confirm your state's rescission window by checking that state's actual timeshare statute or calling your state Attorney General's consumer protection division before you assume you've missed it or still have time. To cancel inside the window, send written notice exactly the way your contract and state law require, usually by certified mail with return receipt, before the deadline. Keep copies of everything: the contract, the notice, the mailing receipt, and any confirmation Westgate sends back. If you're inside your window right now, stop reading and go send that notice today; every day matters. For a full walkthrough of the process and notice language, see how to get out of a timeshare and timeshare cancellation.

How do you get out of a timeshare after the rescission window closes?

Once rescission has passed, you're in contract, and your realistic paths narrow to a handful of legitimate options, roughly in order of what's usually cheapest and safest to try first. Deed-back or surrender programs. Westgate and other developers have, at times, offered deed-back or exit programs that let an owner in good standing sign the deed back to the resort, sometimes for a modest fee, sometimes free, avoiding foreclosure and its credit damage. Not every resort accepts every deed-back request, and eligibility usually depends on the resort's current inventory needs and whether your account is current on fees. Ask Westgate's owner services department directly whether a current deed-back or surrender program exists for your specific resort and contract. Resale, at a realistic price. If you genuinely want to sell, price it near what comparable listings are actually closing at, not what you paid. A listing priced at $1 to a few hundred dollars, with the buyer assuming the transfer and closing costs, is far more likely to move than one priced at even a steep discount off your original purchase price. Donation. Some owners give the interest away to a willing family member, friend, or charity that accepts timeshares, again usually only workable if the resort allows the transfer and the recipient is willing to take on the maintenance fee obligation. Self-managed exit paperwork. A lot of what a paid exit company does is prepare and send letters, gather your documents, and follow a state-specific process you can largely do yourself with the right templates and instructions, which is the gap products like our $149 one-time Timeshare Exit Kit are built to fill: document checklists, sample letters, and a state-by-state process guide, without charging the $3,000 to $8,000 that many exit companies charge upfront. For a broader comparison of these paths, see how to get out of timeshare and how do you get out of a timeshare.

How do you sell a timeshare, and what's it actually worth?

Selling starts with an honest valuation, not a hopeful one. Search completed (more than listed) sales for your exact resort, unit size, season, and points volume on a resale marketplace, and use that as your price anchor, not your original purchase contract. Expect to pay standard closing costs on any resale transfer, typically a few hundred dollars, and expect that the buyer, not you, will take over future maintenance fees from the closing date forward. You will not recoup your original purchase price in almost any circumstance; ARDA's own market reporting shows resale prices for timeshare interests sit well below original developer prices across the industry, more than at Westgate. Be wary of any company that calls you out of the blue promising to sell your timeshare fast for an upfront fee. The FTC has repeatedly warned that this exact pattern, a company claiming to have a buyer lined up and asking for money upfront for closing costs or transfer fees before the promised sale ever happens, is a hallmark of timeshare resale fraud, and the agency has brought enforcement actions against resale companies using these tactics ^[3].

How do you get rid of a timeshare you no longer want or can't sell?

If resale isn't realistic, because there's no buyer even at a giveaway price, your remaining paths are deed-back, letting the resort reclaim it through foreclosure (with real credit consequences), or working through a legitimate self-directed exit process. A voluntary deed-back is almost always better than foreclosure if Westgate will accept one, because foreclosure on a timeshare can appear on your credit report and, depending on the state and your loan structure, the lender may in some cases pursue a deficiency judgment for the unpaid balance. Ask directly and in writing whether Westgate has a current surrender or deed-back program available for your resort. Don't stop paying your maintenance fees or loan as a strategy to force an exit. That approach can trigger collections, credit damage, and in some states a deficiency judgment, and it does not reliably speed up any legitimate exit process. If you're behind on payments already, talk to Westgate's owner services or a consumer law attorney in your state about your specific options before making that decision, rather than assuming non-payment is a shortcut. For step-by-step guidance organized by method, see how to get rid of a timeshare and timeshare call list for a rundown of who to actually contact at each stage.

Are timeshares scams? Is Westgate a scam?

Timeshares themselves are legal products regulated at the state level, so calling the industry as a whole a scam isn't accurate in a strict legal sense. But the sales tactics used at many developer presentations, including high-pressure closing rooms, inflated claims about resale value or rental income, and understated disclosure of rising maintenance fees, have drawn consistent criticism from consumer protection agencies for decades. The real scam risk today sits mostly on the exit side, not the purchase side. The FTC has taken enforcement action against timeshare resale and exit companies that charged consumers large upfront fees and failed to deliver the promised sale or cancellation, and its consumer guidance urges skepticism toward any company demanding full payment before doing any work ^[3]. Several state Attorneys General, including Florida's, have pursued enforcement actions against timeshare exit and resale companies for deceptive practices, and Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (which licenses timeshare resellers under state law) accepts consumer complaints about these companies ^[4]. Red flags to watch for in any exit or resale offer: demands for full payment before any work is done, pressure to act today only, claims that a buyer is already lined up for your unwanted timeshare, and unsolicited phone calls from companies you've never contacted. Verify any company's standing with your state Attorney General's consumer complaint database and the Better Business Bureau before paying anyone anything. For a fuller rundown, see timeshare exit companies.

How much does a timeshare cost, really, including hidden costs?

The sticker price at the sales presentation is only the first cost. A full accounting of what a Westgate timeshare costs over ownership includes the purchase price, financing interest, annual maintenance fees, special assessments, and exchange or booking fees if you use a points system to trade for other resorts. Purchase price: commonly $10,000 to $40,000+ depending on unit size, season, and points volume, often financed through the developer at interest rates that have historically run considerably higher than a typical mortgage or auto loan, sometimes into the mid-teens percentage range or higher, so check your actual note. Annual maintenance fee: roughly $800 to $2,500+ depending on resort and unit, rising most years. Special assessments: irregular but can add hundreds to several thousand dollars in a single year after storm damage or major capital projects. Exchange fees: if you trade through an exchange company to stay elsewhere, expect additional fees per exchange on top of your regular maintenance fee. Add it up over 10 or 20 years of ownership and the true cost frequently exceeds $30,000 to $60,000 or more, against a resale value that, as covered above, often approaches zero. That math is exactly why so many owners start looking for an exit once the kids stop wanting the same week every summer, or once retirement income makes a rising annual bill harder to absorb.

What should I do if I inherited a Westgate timeshare?

An inherited timeshare comes with the same maintenance fee obligation the original owner had, and that obligation typically passes to whoever accepts the deed through probate, unless the estate or heirs formally decline it. Federal tax law allows an heir to disclaim an inheritance, including a timeshare interest, under 26 U.S.C. Section 2518, which can prevent the asset (and its fee obligation) from ever legally transferring to the heir, provided the disclaimer is in writing and filed within nine months of the decedent's death ^[5]. Talk to the estate's probate attorney before accepting any distribution that includes a timeshare, and ask specifically about disclaiming that asset if you don't want it, since state probate procedure also applies alongside the federal rule. If you've already accepted the deed and the fees are now yours, you're in the same position as any other owner facing an unwanted contract: check for a deed-back program, look at realistic resale value, and avoid any company demanding upfront payment for a fast-track exit.

Westgate resale value vs. maintenance fees: the honest numbers side by side

It helps to see the mismatch in one place. Original purchase prices at Westgate commonly run $10,000 to $40,000 or more. Annual maintenance fees commonly run $800 to $2,500 and rise most years. Resale value, once you actually try to sell, commonly runs from $0 to a few hundred dollars, occasionally into the low thousands for a rare high-demand unit. That's not a Westgate-specific problem; it reflects how the entire branded timeshare resale market behaves, as documented by ARDA's own industry reporting and FTC enforcement actions against resale fraud ^[3]. If you're weighing whether to keep paying fees on an asset that can't be sold for anything close to what you owe or paid, that math, not brand loyalty, should drive the decision.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get out of a Westgate timeshare?

First check whether you're still inside your state's rescission window; if so, cancel in writing immediately per your contract and state statute. If that window has closed, ask Westgate about a deed-back or surrender program, consider a realistically priced resale, or work through a self-directed exit process. Never pay large upfront fees to a company promising a fast, guaranteed result.

How much is a Westgate timeshare worth on resale?

Most Westgate timeshares resell for $0 to a few hundred dollars, occasionally into the low thousands for a rare high-demand unit at a flagship resort. This is far below the original $10,000 to $40,000+ purchase price, because resale demand is small compared to the number of owners trying to exit.

How much do timeshares cost, including fees?

Beyond the $10,000-$40,000+ purchase price, owners pay annual maintenance fees commonly between $800 and $2,500, plus occasional special assessments and any exchange fees. Over 10-20 years, total cost frequently exceeds $30,000-$60,000, against a resale value that often approaches zero.

Are timeshares scams?

Timeshares are legal, regulated products, not scams in a legal sense, but many sales presentations use high-pressure tactics and overstate resale value. The bigger scam risk today is in the exit and resale industry: the FTC has brought enforcement actions against companies that charged large upfront fees for cancellations or sales that never happened.

How do I sell my timeshare?

Research completed sales (not asking prices) for your exact resort and unit on a resale marketplace to set a realistic price, often $0 to a few hundred dollars. Budget for standard closing costs and expect the buyer to take over future maintenance fees. Avoid any company demanding upfront payment before finding a buyer.

How do I get rid of a timeshare I can't sell?

If resale isn't working even at a giveaway price, ask Westgate directly about a deed-back or surrender program, which lets you return the deed voluntarily, often avoiding the credit damage of foreclosure. Don't stop paying as a strategy; talk to owner services or a consumer attorney about your options first.

What is the rescission period for a Westgate timeshare?

It depends on the state where you signed the contract, not on Westgate's headquarters. Florida's statute sets a 10 calendar day cancellation period from contract execution or later document receipt; other states have their own separate windows and notice rules. Confirm your specific state's statute before assuming you've missed it.

Do Westgate maintenance fees go up every year?

Not every single year without exception, but increases are common industry-wide, driven by insurance, labor, and repair costs. Florida law requires an annual budget and disclosure of assessments to owners, but does not cap how much fees can rise. Check your annual budget disclosure statement for your specific number.

Can I just stop paying my Westgate maintenance fees to get out?

This is not a safe or recommended strategy. Unpaid fees can lead to collections, credit damage, and in some states a foreclosure or deficiency judgment for the remaining balance owed. Talk to Westgate owner services or a consumer law attorney about legitimate exit options before missing payments.

What happens if I inherit a Westgate timeshare I don't want?

The maintenance fee obligation typically passes to whoever formally accepts the deed through probate. Under federal law (26 U.S.C. Section 2518), an heir can file a written disclaimer within nine months of death to avoid inheriting the asset and its obligations. Talk to the estate's probate attorney before accepting the distribution.

Does Westgate have a deed-back or exit program?

Westgate has, at times, offered deed-back or surrender options for owners in good standing, though availability depends on the specific resort and current inventory needs. Contact Westgate owner services directly and in writing to ask whether a deed-back program currently applies to your contract.

How much does it cost to legally exit a timeshare through an exit company?

Exit companies commonly charge $3,000 to $8,000 or more upfront, and the FTC has taken action against companies whose promised cancellations never materialized. Self-directed options, including document templates and state-specific process guides, can cost far less; some owners use a one-time kit priced around $149 instead of a large upfront retainer.

Sources

1. Federal Trade Commission v. timeshare resale scheme, FTC press release on timeshare resale fraud enforcement: FTC enforcement action against a company that charged consumers upfront fees for timeshare resale services that were never delivered
2. Florida Statutes Section 721.10, Cancellation of contract: Florida law sets a 10 calendar day cancellation period from contract execution or receipt of required documents, whichever is later
3. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, File a Consumer Complaint: State agency accepts consumer complaints against timeshare resale and exit companies operating in Florida
4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: Consumers file complaints describing difficulty reselling or transferring timeshare interests
5. 26 U.S.C. Section 2518, Disclaimers: Federal law allows an heir to file a written disclaimer of an inherited interest, including a timeshare, within nine months of the decedent's death