Cost of timeshares: purchase price, fees, and exit costs

Last updated 2026-07-25

How much does a timeshare cost to buy?

The average purchase price for a timeshare interval in the US is $24,140, according to the American Resort Development Association's owner survey data cited in its 2023 industry review. That number covers a lot of ground. A one-week fixed interval at a lower-tier resort can sell for $10,000 or less. A points-based contract with a major branded developer (Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Disney Vacation Club) can run $30,000 to $60,000 or more depending on the number of points and the season. Developers rarely quote a single sticker price anymore. Most sell points packages, where you buy an annual allotment (say, 4,000 points a year) and the price scales with how many points you buy and what "tier" of ownership you're in. A starter package might run $15,000 to $25,000. Buying more points to unlock better booking windows or bigger units pushes that up fast. Financing makes the real cost worse. Timeshare developers routinely charge interest rates well above what you'd pay on a new car loan, where the average rate for new vehicle financing was around 7.2% in 2024 according to the Federal Reserve's consumer credit data ^[1]. A $20,000 timeshare financed at a high rate over 10 years turns into total payments well north of $30,000 before you've paid a single maintenance fee. Here's the plain truth: the purchase price is the smallest problem. It's a one-time hit. The fees are what get you every single year, forever, with no end date and no vote that matters.

How much do timeshares cost per year in maintenance fees?

The average annual maintenance fee is $1,260, according to ARDA's industry data. That's an average across all resort types and unit sizes. A studio unit at a modest resort might run $600 to $800 a year. A large three-bedroom unit at a luxury coastal resort can run $2,000 to $3,000 or more. Maintenance fees are not fixed. They go up almost every year, and the increases usually outpace general inflation. Owners commonly report annual increases in the 3% to 5% range, though there's no single government dataset tracking this across every resort, since fees are set independently by each homeowners association or management company. If your fee is $1,260 today and rises 5% a year, it's roughly $1,630 in 10 years and about $2,050 in 15 years, without a single special assessment. Special assessments are the other shoe. These are separate, often unpredictable charges levied for hurricane damage, roof replacement, elevator repairs, or any capital expense the HOA didn't save enough for. A single special assessment can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 or more per interval owner, billed all at once, often with a 30 to 60 day payment deadline. Florida law requires timeshare HOAs to follow specific budget, reserve, and assessment procedures under the Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act, Florida Statutes section 721.13, which governs how assessments must be levied and disclosed to owners ^[2]. That doesn't cap how large an assessment can be, it just governs the process for levying it. Add it up over a typical 20 to 30 year ownership life and total maintenance fee payments alone, before any assessments, commonly exceed $30,000 to $50,000 for an average interval, on top of the original purchase price.

How much is a timeshare really, over the life of ownership?

Purchase price (cash)	$22,000
Financing interest (if financed 10 yrs at a high in-house rate)	approx. $17,000 additional
Maintenance fees (starting $1,260, +4%/yr, 20 yrs)	approx. $37,500 cumulative
Special assessments (conservative estimate, 2 events)	$2,000-$6,000
Estimated 20-year total	$61,500-$82,500+	That's before you factor in exchange company fees (RCI or Interval International membership runs roughly $99-$249 a year, plus per-exchange fees of $100-$300), booking fees some resorts now charge, or the fact that resale value at the end is usually close to zero. It is not unusual to see timeshare resales listed for $1 on secondary marketplaces, with the seller simply hoping to hand off the maintenance fee obligation to someone else.

Nobody publishes a single authoritative lifetime cost figure, because it depends on interest rate, fee escalation, resort, and how many years you hold it. But you can build an honest estimate from the pieces above. Take a mid-range points package: $22,000 purchase price, financed at a high in-house rate over 10 years, plus a starting maintenance fee of $1,260 rising 4% a year, held for 20 years. | Cost component | Estimated total over 20 years |

Are timeshares scams?

The timeshare product itself is legal in every US state. It is not, by definition, a scam to sell someone a real, deeded or right-to-use interest in a resort. But the sales process has a long, well-documented history of high-pressure tactics, and a separate, very active scam industry has grown up around timeshare *exit*, which is arguably the bigger danger today. The Federal Trade Commission has brought enforcement actions against timeshare resale and exit companies for years. In FTC v. Resort Advisory Group and related cases, the agency has alleged that exit companies collected large upfront fees while failing to deliver the cancellations or resales they promised. State attorneys general have pursued parallel actions against the same pattern of conduct, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau logs related consumer complaints in its public complaint database ^[3]. So the honest answer: the original purchase is a real, if often overpriced and pressure-sold, product. The bigger scam risk is downstream, in companies that charge $3,000 to $10,000 or more upfront to "guarantee" an exit and then vanish or stall for years. If you're evaluating an exit company, read our exit scam awareness coverage before you pay anyone a deposit.

How much does it cost to get out of a timeshare?

This ranges from $0 to several thousand dollars, and the price has almost nothing to do with how well the exit works. Understanding your options in order of cost is the whole game. Rescission (free, if you're still in the window): Every state gives new timeshare buyers a right to cancel within a specific number of days after signing, no reason needed and no fee owed. This window is short, often measured in single-digit to low double-digit days, and it varies by state. Florida sets a 10-day rescission period under Florida Statutes section 721.10 ^[4]. Confirm your own state's window with your state attorney general's consumer protection office before assuming you missed it. Rescission costs you nothing but a certified letter and following your contract's exact instructions. Developer deed-back or exit programs (free to low-cost): Many major developers now run their own deed-back or "exit" programs for owners current on fees, letting you surrender the deed back to the resort. Marriott Vacation Club's Exit Program and similar offerings from other branded developers are typically free or low-cost if you qualify, though qualification often requires the mortgage to be paid off and fees to be current. Check our deed-back programs coverage for how these work resort by resort. Selling it yourself (low-cost, often a net loss): Listing on a resale marketplace or timeshare-specific resale site costs little or nothing upfront, but be realistic: most timeshares resell, if they sell at all, for a small fraction of purchase price, sometimes literally $1, because the buyer inherits the maintenance fee obligation too. Attorney-assisted exit (moderate, hourly or flat fee): A real estate or consumer protection attorney may charge $1,500 to $5,000 or more depending on complexity, and can review your contract for actual legal defects (misrepresentation, statutory violations) rather than just asking the resort nicely. Exit companies charging large upfront "guarantee" fees (high-risk, avoid pattern): This is where FTC enforcement has focused, described above. A high upfront fee with a guarantee of success is the single biggest red flag in this entire industry.

How do you get out of a timeshare, step by step?

Start with what you actually own before you spend a dollar on anyone's help. Pull your contract and check for a deeded property interest versus a right-to-use interest, since that changes your legal options and who has authority over your state's real estate rules. Step 1: Check your rescission window immediately. If you bought recently, this is free and the fastest possible exit. Follow the contract's exact cancellation instructions (certified mail is standard) and confirm the deadline with your state attorney general's office, since these windows are set by state law and enforced differently everywhere. See our rescission by state guide for how to find your state's specific rule. Step 2: Call the resort or developer directly and ask about a deed-back or surrender program. This costs nothing to ask about and is increasingly common among the larger branded operators. Step 3: If deed-back isn't offered or you don't qualify, get your contract reviewed by a real estate attorney licensed in the resort's state, especially if you suspect misrepresentation at the original sales presentation. Step 4: If you go the DIY route, our timeshare cancellation resources and the $149 Timeshare Exit Kit at exithonest.com/exit-kit-builder walk through the letters, documentation, and step order that owners commonly need, without charging the thousands of dollars an exit company charges for the same basic playbook. Step 5: Never stop paying your maintenance fees or loan while you're still the legal owner. Unpaid fees can lead to collections, credit damage, and in some states foreclosure-like liens against your interest, even while you're actively trying to exit.

How do you sell a timeshare, and is it worth trying?

You can sell a timeshare through resale marketplaces, licensed timeshare resale brokers, or by transferring it directly to another individual, but expect a steep discount from what you paid, often 80% to 100% off the original price. The resale market for timeshares is genuinely rough. Industry data and consumer advocates have long noted that timeshares are not an investment and don't appreciate, and secondary listings routinely show units offered for $1 to a few hundred dollars, with the seller's real goal being to transfer the maintenance fee burden, not to profit. Before you list anywhere, verify three things: that you actually hold clear, sellable title (not right-to-use with restrictions on transfer), that the resort allows resale transfers without requiring you to go through their own program, and that any resale company you use doesn't charge a large upfront listing fee with vague promises about finding a buyer. If a private buyer is genuinely willing to take over your deed and the ongoing fee obligation, a direct deed transfer (handled through a title company or attorney) is usually cheaper and cleaner than a broker relationship. But go in expecting near-zero sale proceeds. The realistic goal of selling is stopping future fees, not making money.

How to get rid of a timeshare when there's no clear exit path

If rescission has passed, the developer won't take a deed-back, and nobody wants to buy it, you still have real options, they just take more legwork. Check if your state or the resort has a hardship or financial-distress exit policy. Some HOAs will negotiate a surrender for owners who can document genuine inability to pay, especially if the alternative is a costly foreclosure process for the association too. Consider inherited timeshares specifically: if you inherited an ownership you never wanted, you (or the estate) may be able to disclaim the inheritance formally before accepting any benefit or making any payment, under a state's version of the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act, which in many states means the interest never legally passes to you ^[5]. This is state-specific and time-sensitive, so an estate attorney is worth the consultation fee here. Document everything. Keep copies of every letter, every phone call date and representative name, every payment. If this ends up in a dispute or in front of a state attorney general's consumer protection division, your own paper trail is the strongest asset you have. Report abusive resale or exit company tactics to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. These reports don't guarantee your money back, but they build the case record that agencies use for the enforcement actions described earlier.

What are the hidden and rising costs owners don't expect?

Beyond the sticker maintenance fee, several cost categories catch owners off guard. Special assessments, covered above, are the biggest unpredictable hit. Exchange program fees (RCI, Interval International) add $99 to $249 a year in membership plus $100-$300 per exchange transaction if you're trying to trade your week for a different location. Booking or reservation fees at some resorts now apply even to owners using their own week. Property tax, in states or resorts where it's billed separately to deeded owners, is another line item that isn't in the maintenance fee. Special resort renovation levies, sometimes called "reinvestment fees" and charged even on resale transfers in some contracts, can run a percentage of the resale price. The compounding problem is that all of these tend to rise together and none of them come with a vote that matters to an individual owner holding one week out of fifty-two, or a few thousand points out of a much larger pool. If you're deciding whether to keep paying or start the exit process, our maintenance fees coverage breaks down what's normal, what's a red flag, and how associations set these budgets.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a timeshare cost on average?

The average purchase price is $24,140 according to ARDA's owner survey data, plus an average annual maintenance fee of $1,260 that typically rises 3% to 5% a year ^[1]. Total lifetime cost, including financing interest and periodic special assessments, commonly runs $50,000 to $80,000 or more over 20 years for a mid-range points package.

How much are timeshares if I buy resale instead of from the developer?

Resale timeshares often sell for a small fraction of developer price, sometimes $1 to a few thousand dollars, since sellers mainly want to transfer the maintenance fee obligation. You still owe the same annual fees and any special assessments as an original buyer, so the savings is entirely on the purchase price, not the ongoing cost.

Are timeshares a scam?

The underlying product is legal, but sales tactics are frequently high-pressure and the exit industry has serious scam activity. The FTC and state regulators have pursued enforcement actions against exit companies that collected large upfront fees without delivering promised cancellations or resales. Treat any company demanding a big upfront guarantee fee as a major red flag.

How do I get out of a timeshare contract?

Check your rescission window first, it's free and state-specific (Florida gives 10 days under Florida Statutes section 721.10 ^[4]), so confirm the exact deadline with your state attorney general's office. If that's passed, ask the resort about a deed-back program, then consider an attorney review or a DIY exit process. Never stop paying fees you legally owe while you're still the recorded owner.

How to sell a timeshare without losing more money?

List through a legitimate resale marketplace or licensed broker, verify you hold transferable title, and avoid any company charging a large upfront listing fee with vague buyer promises. Expect to receive very little, often near-zero, since timeshares don't appreciate and buyers inherit the fee obligation. A direct deed transfer to a willing buyer is often cheaper than a broker deal.

How much do timeshare maintenance fees go up each year?

There's no single government dataset tracking this across all resorts since HOAs set fees independently, but owners commonly report 3% to 5% annual increases, sometimes more after a special assessment year. A $1,260 average fee rising 5% a year is roughly $2,050 in 15 years, before any one-time assessments.

What is a timeshare special assessment and how much can it cost?

A special assessment is a one-time charge, separate from your regular maintenance fee, levied for major repairs like storm damage, roof replacement, or elevator work. These can range from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 or more per owner, often due within 30 to 60 days of notice, and are governed procedurally by state laws like Florida Statutes section 721.13 ^[3].

Can I just stop paying my timeshare fees to get out?

This is not a safe strategy and we don't recommend it. Unpaid fees can go to collections, damage your credit, and in many states can result in a lien or foreclosure-like process against your interest, even if you're mid-process on a legitimate exit. Pursue rescission, deed-back, or attorney-reviewed exit paths instead while staying current.

How do I get out of a timeshare I inherited?

If you haven't accepted any benefit or made any payment, an estate attorney can advise whether formally disclaiming the inherited interest is available in your state under that state's disclaimer statute, which in many states means it never legally passes to you ^[6]. Once you've accepted it or paid a fee, you're generally treated as an owner subject to the same deed-back or exit paths as any other owner.

How much does it cost to hire a timeshare exit company?

Exit companies commonly charge $3,000 to $10,000 or more upfront, and federal and state regulators have pursued several for allegedly taking these fees while failing to deliver promised cancellations or resales. Rescission is free, developer deed-back programs are often free or low-cost, and attorney review typically runs far less than most exit company packages.

Is it ever worth paying to get out of a timeshare?

Sometimes, if the resort has no deed-back option and a qualified attorney identifies a real contract or disclosure violation worth pursuing, or if a reputable, transparent service saves you meaningfully more in future fees than it costs. Compare any paid option against free rescission and free deed-back paths first, and verify total cost before committing to anything.

How much is a timeshare worth when I try to resell it?

Often very little. Secondary marketplaces regularly show timeshare listings at $1 to a few hundred dollars, far below original purchase prices in the tens of thousands, because buyers take on the ongoing maintenance fee obligation. Treat any resale attempt as a way to stop future fees, not as a source of profit.

Sources

1. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Credit - G.19 statistical release: Average interest rate on new vehicle loans was around 7.2% in 2024, used as a comparison point to timeshare financing rates
2. Florida Statutes, Section 721.13, Assessments: Florida law governs timeshare HOA budget and assessment procedures
3. Florida Statutes, Section 721.10, Cancellation: Florida sets a 10-day rescission period for timeshare purchase contracts
4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: Consumer complaints regarding timeshare exit and resale companies are tracked in the CFPB's public complaint database
5. Uniform Law Commission, Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act (1978, amended 2010): State disclaimer statutes based on this uniform act allow an heir to disclaim an inherited interest before accepting any benefit
6. Federal Trade Commission, FTC v. Resort Advisory Group, Inc. et al., Case No. 9:17-cv-80495 (S.D. Fla.): FTC enforcement action alleging a timeshare exit company collected upfront fees without delivering promised cancellations