How to exit a Bluegreen timeshare: real options that work

Last updated 2026-07-26

How do you get out of a Bluegreen timeshare?

There are basically four paths, in order of how much they usually cost you: rescission (free, but only works for a few days after you sign), Bluegreen's own deed-back or exit programs (low cost, but Bluegreen decides who qualifies), resale or transfer through legitimate channels (variable cost, slow, often nets you little or nothing), and paid third-party exit help (expensive, and the industry has a real scam problem). Bluegreen Vacations is a points-based timeshare system, not a single resort. You typically own "Bluegreen Vacation Club" points tied to a deed or right-to-use contract, and your exit options depend on which product you have, how old the contract is, and whether you're current on maintenance fees and any loan. Start by pulling your actual contract and your most recent maintenance fee statement. You need to know: the exact legal owner name(s), whether it's a deed or a right-to-use interest, your state of purchase, and whether there's still a loan balance. Every option below depends on those facts. If you're not sure where you stand, a useful first stop is a plain overview of the general process at how to get out of a timeshare, which walks through the same decision tree for any brand.

How to get out of a timeshare during the rescission period

Every state has a rescission law that lets you cancel a timeshare purchase for any reason within a short window after signing, no penalty, full refund of what you've paid so far. This is by far the cheapest and fastest exit, and it works regardless of brand, including Bluegreen. The catch: the window is short and varies by state. Florida gives buyers 10 calendar days under its timeshare statute ^[1]. Other states set their own number, some as short as 5 days, and a few run longer. You have to confirm your state's rescission window using the statute where you signed, not where you live, because the purchase location controls which law applies. To rescind, most states require a written notice, often by certified mail, sent to the address specified in your contract or the statute, before the deadline. Florida's law, for example, says the notice of cancellation is effective on the date it is postmarked, and requires the buyer to send it to the address specified in the contract ^[1]. Keep your mailing receipt and a copy of the letter. Do this even if the resort says you're too late; let a lawyer or the state make that call, not the salesperson. If your purchase happened recently, this is the section to act on today, not next week. For state-specific deadlines and notice requirements, see timeshare cancellation.

What if the rescission window already closed?

Once you're past your state's rescission deadline, you own the timeshare and Bluegreen's regular contract terms apply. You're no longer canceling a purchase; you're trying to exit an ownership, and that's a different, slower process. At this point your realistic options are Bluegreen's own deed-back or exit assistance, a legitimate resale or transfer, or a paid exit company. There's no legal "cooling off" round two. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau publishes basic consumer guidance on timeshares noting they are a real property or contract interest with binding payment obligations once purchased ^[2]. Don't stop paying maintenance fees or a loan just because you've decided you want out. Missed payments trigger late fees, can hit your credit report, and in deeded-timeshare states can eventually lead to foreclosure on the timeshare interest, which stays on your credit history. Whatever exit path you choose, plan to stay current until the exit is actually complete.

Does Bluegreen have its own deed-back or exit program?

Bluegreen has, at various points, offered an Owner Transition or similar deed-back-style option for owners who are current on payments and want to give the interest back voluntarily, though availability, eligibility, and program names shift over time and aren't guaranteed. The only way to get a current answer is to call Bluegreen's owner services line directly and ask specifically what deed-back or surrender options exist for your contract type right now. Generally, developer deed-back programs favor owners who: are paid in full (no loan balance), are current on maintenance fees, own a smaller or less desirable interest, and are willing to simply walk away with no cash back. If you owe money on the contract or are behind on fees, most developers won't take it back until that's resolved. Be direct with the rep: ask for the program by name, ask what it costs (some developers charge a transfer or processing fee), and get any offer in writing before you sign anything. Don't rely on a verbal promise from a retention specialist. We don't contact resorts or developers on a reader's behalf, and no legitimate service can guarantee a developer will accept a deed-back. Bluegreen decides its own eligibility rules, and they change.

How to sell a timeshare (and why resale value is nearly zero)

Selling is legally simple but financially rough: timeshares almost never resell for anything close to what owners paid, because the market is flooded with sellers and buyers know it. Industry survey data has long shown that resale prices for most timeshare interests run a small fraction of the original purchase price, and many listings sit for years unsold. If you want to try anyway, here's the honest path: list with a licensed timeshare resale broker (check your state's real estate licensing board), price it low (sometimes $1 plus transfer costs, which is common for older deeded weeks), and be ready to pay closing and transfer fees yourself, sometimes several hundred dollars, because buyers won't. Avoid any resale company that asks for a large upfront listing fee and promises a fast sale or a specific price. State attorneys general and consumer regulators have repeatedly warned that upfront-fee resale and exit scams are a persistent complaint category in the timeshare space ^[3]. If your Bluegreen interest is a smaller points package or a less desirable season, expect zero net proceeds, or even a negative outcome once you count transfer costs. That's a legitimate reason to consider a deed-back instead of a sale.

How much do timeshares cost (Bluegreen and in general)?

Average timeshare purchase price (2023)	$24,140 [4]
Average annual maintenance fee (2023)	$1,205 [4]
Bluegreen points package (typical)	$15,000-$30,000+
Bluegreen annual fees (typical mid package)	$1,000-$2,000+
Special assessment (varies widely)	$300-$3,000+ one-time	If rising fees, not the original purchase decision, are what's driving you toward an exit, it's worth separately reading about fee trends before you commit to any exit path, since some owners find a points reduction or downgrade solves the actual problem more cheaply than a full exit.

Nationally, the average timeshare purchase price was $24,140 in 2023 according to ARDA's owner survey data, with average annual maintenance fees around $1,205 ^[4]. Bluegreen's points packages are typically sold in this same range, often $15,000 to $30,000+ depending on the number of points, with annual maintenance fees billed per point owned, commonly landing between $1,000 and $2,000+ a year for a mid-size package. Maintenance fees are not fixed for life. Bluegreen, like most developers, raises fees annually, and special assessments (one-time charges for repairs, storm damage, or renovations) can add hundreds or thousands more in a single year. This is the number one driver of exit requests: owners who bought at $18,000 in 2015 are often paying $1,400+ a year now and the math no longer works for how often they actually travel. | Cost item | Typical range |

Are timeshares scams? What the complaint data actually shows

The timeshare product itself is legal in every state; it's a real contract for real usage rights, regulated by state real estate and consumer protection law. But the industry has a documented, serious scam problem around the exit side, not necessarily the original sale. The Federal Trade Commission tracks travel, vacation, and timeshare-related complaints through its Consumer Sentinel Network, which compiles millions of consumer reports a year across fraud categories ^[5]. The FTC has also brought enforcement actions against companies that charged large upfront fees and never delivered promised cancellations or resales. Several state attorneys general, including Florida's, have posted consumer guidance about timeshare resale and exit-related complaints targeting owners who post online asking how to get out ^[3]. So the honest answer: the original sale isn't a scam in the legal sense, though many owners feel misled by high-pressure sales tactics at the presentation. The bigger scam risk sits in the exit industry, where companies prey on frustrated owners with promises they can't keep. That distinction matters when you're deciding who to trust with your file and your money.

What are the warning signs of a timeshare exit scam?

The clearest red flag is a large upfront fee combined with a guarantee. No legitimate company can guarantee a developer will accept a deed-back, that a lawsuit will succeed, or that your credit won't be affected, because none of that is within their control. Other consistent warning signs from FTC complaint tracking and state AG guidance ^[5][3]: high-pressure phone calls claiming they have a "buyer already lined up" for your specific week, requests for payment by wire transfer or gift card, refusal to put fee and refund terms in writing, and companies that tell you to stop paying maintenance fees or your mortgage while they "work on it." That last one deserves its own warning. Never stop making payments you actually owe because an exit company told you to. Missed payments can trigger foreclosure on the timeshare, damage your credit, and in some cases don't even help the exit process; they just add debt on top of the timeshare debt. Before paying anyone, check the company's name against your state attorney general's consumer complaint database and the Better Business Bureau, and ask for a written contract with a specific refund policy if the exit doesn't happen in the promised timeframe. For a broader list of companies and how they're generally evaluated, see timeshare exit companies.

Should you hire an attorney, a paid exit service, or do it yourself?

For most Bluegreen owners past their rescission window, the realistic choices are: a real estate or consumer attorney in your state (billed hourly or flat fee, usually $1,500-$5,000+ depending on complexity), a paid exit company (fees vary enormously, from a few hundred dollars to $5,000+, and quality varies just as much), or doing the deed-back or resale legwork yourself for the cost of postage and transfer fees. An attorney makes the most sense if there's a real legal issue: you believe you were defrauded at the sales presentation, the contract has enforceable defects, or you're facing a foreclosure notice and need someone who can actually represent you against Bluegreen. A consumer attorney licensed in your state can also tell you honestly whether you have a rescission argument even outside the statutory window (rare, but not impossible if disclosures were legally deficient). A deed-back attempt costs you almost nothing but time, so it's worth trying first if you're current on payments and own a plain vanilla points package with no loan. Doing it yourself means calling Bluegreen, asking directly for their current exit or deed-back program, and being patient through a process that can take months. If you want a structured way to organize your documents, letters, and next steps before you spend money on an attorney or exit company, our own $149 one-time Timeshare Exit Kit is built for exactly that gap: it doesn't contact Bluegreen for you and doesn't promise a cancellation, but it walks you through the paperwork and options in order so you don't overpay for basic organization. You can start at /exit-kit-builder.

How to get rid of a timeshare you inherited

If you inherited a Bluegreen timeshare through a will or as an heir, you generally are not automatically obligated to keep it, but the process to disclaim or exit it depends on your state's probate law and whether the estate has already transferred the deed into your name. If the estate is still open, talk to the estate's executor or probate attorney about formally disclaiming the inheritance before the deed transfers to you; a qualified disclaimer under federal tax law (Internal Revenue Code Section 2518) can, if done correctly and within nine months of the decedent's death, treat you as if you never received the interest ^[6]. Once the deed is already in your name, you're an owner like any other, and the same deed-back, resale, or exit-company options apply. Don't assume maintenance fees stop accruing during probate. Bluegreen will keep billing the account, and unpaid fees can become a claim against the estate or, later, against you personally in states that allow that. Get a probate attorney's advice early rather than letting fees pile up while the family figures out who "has" to take it.

How do rescission rules differ by state, and where do you check yours?

Rescission periods, notice requirements, and even what counts as a valid cancellation letter differ by state, and Bluegreen sells in multiple states with different rules attached to each contract. Florida requires 10 days and a written notice sent to the seller's specified address ^[1]. Other states set their own timeframes in their own timeshare or vacation club statutes, and the number of days is not something to guess at or take on faith from a forum post. The safest way to confirm your window: look up the actual timeshare or real estate consumer protection statute for the state where you signed the contract, not where you live now, and read the cancellation clause printed in your own purchase agreement, which is legally required to state the rescission period and process. If those two sources disagree, ask a licensed attorney in that state before you rely on either one. For a state-by-state breakdown, how do you get out of a timeshare covers the general framework, and timeshare call list has practical scripts for the actual phone calls to Bluegreen or an attorney once you're past rescission.

Frequently asked questions

How to get out of a timeshare fastest?

The fastest exit is rescission: cancel in writing within your state's rescission window (often 5-10 days from signing, confirm your specific state's rule). It's free and doesn't require anyone's approval. Once that window closes, there's no fast legal exit; deed-back, resale, and paid help all take weeks to months, not days.

How do you get out of a timeshare after the rescission period ends?

You ask the developer (Bluegreen, in this case) about a deed-back or surrender program, try a licensed resale or transfer, or hire an attorney or exit company. There's no automatic legal exit after rescission passes. Stay current on fees while you work the process, since falling behind can trigger foreclosure on the timeshare interest.

How to sell a timeshare when nobody wants to buy it?

List it with a licensed resale broker at a realistic price, often $1 plus transfer and closing costs for older deeded weeks, since resale demand is very low. Avoid any company charging a large upfront fee to "guarantee" a buyer. If it truly won't sell, ask the developer about a deed-back instead.

How much is a timeshare, roughly, if I'm comparing to what I paid?

The 2023 ARDA owner survey put the average purchase price at $24,140 and average annual maintenance fees at $1,205, though Bluegreen points packages commonly run $15,000-$30,000+ with fees of $1,000-$2,000+ a year depending on package size.

Are timeshares scams, or is it more complicated than that?

The purchase itself is a legal contract, not a scam under the law, though many owners feel misled by sales pressure. The bigger documented scam risk is in the exit industry: the FTC tracks thousands of complaints a year about companies charging upfront fees and never delivering promised cancellations or resales.

How much do timeshares cost per year in fees alone?

Average annual maintenance fees were about $1,205 nationally in 2023 per ARDA's owner data, and fees typically rise most years. Special assessments for repairs or storm damage can add several hundred to a few thousand dollars more in a single year, on top of the regular fee.

How to get rid of a timeshare I inherited and never wanted?

If the estate hasn't transferred the deed yet, ask a probate attorney about formally disclaiming it, which under IRC Section 2518 can let you be treated as if you never received it if done within nine months of the decedent's death. If the deed is already in your name, use the standard deed-back, resale, or exit-company routes.

Does Bluegreen have a deed-back program?

Bluegreen has offered deed-back or transition-style programs for owners current on payments in the past, but availability and eligibility change and aren't guaranteed for any specific owner. Call Bluegreen owner services directly, ask what's currently offered, and get any agreement in writing before signing.

How to sell timeshare points versus a deeded week?

Points-based interests (like Bluegreen's) generally resell even worse than deeded weeks because buyers can often buy points directly from the developer with more flexibility. A licensed resale broker can list either, but expect low or zero net proceeds, and always get transfer costs in writing before agreeing to any sale.

What's the difference between a timeshare exit company and a scam?

A legitimate exit-focused service is transparent about fees, doesn't guarantee a specific outcome, and puts everything in writing. Scam signs include large upfront fees demanded before any work, guarantees of cancellation, pressure to stop paying your fees or mortgage, and refusal to give written contract terms.

Can Bluegreen or the resort foreclose on a timeshare for unpaid fees?

Yes, in most states timeshare developers can pursue foreclosure or similar remedies against owners who stop paying maintenance fees or loan payments, and that can hurt your credit. Never stop payments as an exit strategy; work through rescission, deed-back, resale, or legal help while staying current.

Should I use an attorney or a paid exit company to get out of Bluegreen?

Use an attorney if you suspect fraud in the original sale or you're facing foreclosure and need real representation; expect $1,500-$5,000+ in fees. A deed-back attempt is usually free and worth trying first if you're current on payments. Paid exit companies vary widely in cost and quality, so check complaint records before paying anyone upfront.

Sources

1. Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes Section 721.10: Florida gives timeshare buyers 10 calendar days to cancel, with written notice effective on postmark date
2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Timeshares consumer information: Timeshare contracts become binding obligations once the rescission period passes
3. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023: The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network tracks consumer complaint data including travel, vacation, and timeshare-related fraud reports
4. American Resort Development Association, State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry 2023: Average timeshare purchase price and average annual maintenance fee figures for 2023
5. Federal Trade Commission, FTC v. Timeshare Exit Team (Consumer Protection litigation record): FTC litigation against a timeshare exit company for collecting upfront fees without delivering promised cancellations
6. Florida Office of the Attorney General, Timeshare consumer resources: State attorneys general issue consumer guidance about timeshare exit and resale scams
7. Internal Revenue Service, 26 U.S. Code Section 2518 Qualified Disclaimer: A qualified disclaimer of an inherited interest must generally be made within nine months of the decedent's death to be treated as if the interest was never received