Why Timeshare Owners Are Re-Evaluating Their Ownership in 2025
We have spoken to numerous financial advisors about the timeshare resale market over the last decade to assist their clients that were struggling with the financial burden of a timeshare they once thought was a good investment. What starts as a dream vacation package often turns into a financial regret. In 2025, more owners than ever are re-evaluating their decision—and for good reason.
For some, it’s a lifestyle shift: retirement, divorce, or adult children who no longer want to travel with them. For others, it’s financial: inflation has pushed basic costs of living through the roof. Healthcare expenses are climbing, and let’s not forget the hidden costs buried in every ownership contract—annual maintenance fees, special assessments, taxes, exchange fees and club dues.
Add to that the sheer frustration of trying to book during blackout dates, plus the rise of more affordable, flexible options like Airbnb and Expedia, and it’s no wonder timeshare owners are asking: Is this really worth it anymore?
💡 In 2025, the average annual maintenance fee for a U.S. timeshare surpassed $1,400—and that’s before any special assessments.
Understanding the Timeshare Resale Market Collapse
What’s Causing the Crash in the Timeshare Resale Market?
What is the timeshare resale market?
It’s where existing timeshare owners attempt to sell their timeshare contracts to other buyers—usually through online listings or brokers. In theory, it sounds like a way out. But in practice, this market has all but collapsed due to low demand, over-supply, and a history of scams.
Timeshares Hold Little to No Resale Value—Here’s Why
Why Financial Advisors Call Timeshares a Liability, Not an Asset
We usually have to be the bearer of bad news for timeshare owners that contact us: buying a timeshare is like buying a new car. The moment you “drive it off the lot”—aka, sign the contract—it loses value. In the case of the majority of timeshares, it loses all value for resale.
Except unlike a car, you can’t sell it easily, and it costs you money every year just to keep it.
Depreciation: No appreciation like traditional real estate.
Ongoing Fees: Maintenance dues, club membership fees, taxes.
No liquidity: There’s no active demand to buy secondhand timeshares.
Timeshare Pricing vs. Modern Travel Sites
Let’s compare a few options we’ve run numbers on:
| Booking Option | Avg. Nightly Cost (All Fees Included) | Flexibility | Owner Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeshare (with loan) | $300–$700+ | Limited | Ongoing fees, advance booking |
| Airbnb | $150–$300 | High | None |
| Expedia/Hotel | $175–$350 | High | None |
Bottom line? Timeshare owners often pay more, for less flexibility.
Developers Undermine Owners by Renting Prime Units Online
Here’s where it gets even more frustrating. Resort developers—yes, the same ones who sold you the timeshare—are now listing those same units on Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com for public rent.
That means non-owners are booking premium weeks with zero obligations. Meanwhile, you’re stuck trying to reserve with a year of notice—and competing for availability with the open market.
Why the Timeshare Resale Market Is Full of Pitfalls
How do you sell a timeshare in 2025? It’s not as easy as you think.
How to sell a timeshare?
Most owners turn to resale websites or brokers, hoping to recoup some of their investment. Unfortunately, resale listings often sit unsold for years—if they ever sell at all. Many sites charge upfront fees with no guarantee of visibility, let alone a sale.
The Resale Market Is Littered With Scams and False Promises
The First Stop for Most Owners: Online Resale Listings
If you’ve searched “how to sell Hilton Grand Vacation timeshare” or “how to sell Marriott timeshare,” you’re not alone. These are among the most popular resale queries in 2025.
But many sites charge owners $500–$3,000 just to post a listing—and that listing might never be seen by a legitimate buyer.
Advertising Space Schemes With No Guarantees
A listing being “live” doesn’t mean buyers will find it. Most resale sites lack traffic. They don’t rank well in search engines and don’t provide any visibility metrics.
The typical experience? Crickets.
Endless Upsells, No Sales
Many of these companies will call you again and again: “For just another $1,000, we’ll boost your visibility!” Or, “Premium placement equals faster sales!”
But the truth is, there’s no buyer demand. And these companies often have no refund policy.
History of Timeshare Resale Scams
Some of the worst horror stories we’ve seen include:
Fraudulent title transfers that leave owners still legally liable.
Damaged credit scores from unpaid fees that were supposedly “covered.”
Threatening calls from collections over timeshares the owners thought they sold.
Being bilked for tens of thousands of dollars by elaborate international resale scams.
Take a look at the chart below:
Graph: Timeshare Resale Scams Reported (2020–2025)
(Data sourced from the Better Business Bureau and the FTC)
| Year | Complaints Filed |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,200 |
| 2021 | 5,100 |
| 2022 | 6,300 |
| 2023 | 7,800 |
| 2024 | 9,100 |
| 2025 | 10,500+ (projected) |
A Smarter Exit Strategy: Attorney-Based Timeshare Exit
The Timeshare Resale Market May Be Broken—But You Still Have Options
When timeshare owners come to us asking “How do you sell a timeshare?”, we usually tell them they’re asking the wrong question.
The right question is:
How do I legally end my timeshare contract in 2025?
The most reliable way is through a reputable, attorney-backed exit strategy—not a resale listing.
Why Resale Often Fails—and Legal Exit May Succeed
The Limitations of the Resale Market for Most Owners
Timeshares aren’t like regular property. Contracts are often:
Perpetual (they never end unless you cancel them)
Subject to developer control and Right of First Refusal (ROFR)
Blocked from third-party sales by internal policies
Why an Experienced, Attorney-Based Exit Team Makes a Difference
We had one client who tried selling her timeshare for over two years. She paid over $3,000 in listing and upgrade fees. Nothing. She enrolled in our attorney-based service where her concerns surrounding misleading sales tactics were addressed. Within 7 months, she was out—legally and permanently.
A good legal team can:
Help you understand your contract and provide a layer of legal protection
Strategize the best roadmap for timeshare contract termination based on your circumstances
Advise you through a process proven to be difficult in a dishonest industry
Negotiate a settlement directly with the developer
Ensure your timeshare exit is enforceable and documented
What the Crashing Timeshare Resale Market Means for You
The writing’s on the wall: the timeshare resale market is no longer a reliable or safe path to exit. Too many owners are left with nothing but frustration—and less money in their pockets—after trying to sell.
Timeshare ownership may have started with good intentions, but in 2025, it’s a liability not an asset. If you’ve tried selling and failed, you’re not alone—and you still have options.
If you’re ready to explore a viable strategy to exit your timeshare, contact us today for a no-cost consultation. Don’t waste another year on fees, frustration, and failed listings. There’s a better way—and we’re here to help you find it.
