How Much Is a Timeshare?

A common question in the timeshare industry is, “How much does a timeshare cost?” The answer can be complex. It’s crucial to understand both the initial purchase price of a timeshare and the ongoing lifetime costs associated with ownership before making a decision. It’s also important to recognize that the cost of a timeshare varies based on several factors, including the brand, location, accommodations, and available usage time. If you’re ready to explore a new way of vacationing, keep reading to discover everything you need to know about buying a timeshare.

How Much Is a Timeshare?

We have gathered some information from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) 2024 Research & Insights Report to give a general idea of the cost of a timeshare. Further, ARDA reported that the average cost of vacation ownership in 2023 was $24,245. The timeshare industry in the U.S. is valued at $10.6 billion. Almost 10 million households own some timeshare property or product, whether points or weeks. This means that people with a vast range of incomes have a timeshare. There are over 1,500 timeshare resorts in the U.S. alone, so finding one within your price range can be easy! Keep your travel resolutions from busting your budget. To view the latest prices of timeshares on our marketplace, start browsing. You can find some great vacation deals.

Extra Expenses Aside from Initial Purchase Price

Remember that when you’re on a trip to your home resort, you will most likely spend more money. Resorts often have restaurants or extra excursions you’ll want to take advantage of, which will be an added expense.

What Affects the Cost of a Timeshare Ownership?

The initial price of a timeshare contract differs depending on which brand you are buying with and where you buy it from. The price range of a timeshare can vary drastically if you buy it on the resale market rather than directly from the timeshare company. For example, you might spend more after purchasing a timeshare at a presentation than if you found one on the resale market. This is a huge factor that affects the average timeshare cost. You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars when you shop for vacation ownership on the secondary market.

Besides where you buy your timeshare, quite a few things can affect how much you’ll pay for it. The brand of the timeshare is one of the most significant factors! How much a Disney Vacation Club timeshare costs varies significantly from how much a Westgate or Marriott Vacation Club costs. The resort location and popularity will affect the contract price tag even within those brands. In addition, timeshares at a single resort will cost more or less depending on the size and location of the villa. Amenities at the timeshare resort and the season of use will also change the price. Remember that every sale is different; other factors may not be listed here.

Different Types of Vacation Ownership

When determining how much timeshares cost, you must consider which type of ownership you want. Deeded timeshares have an evenly shared ownership model divided between all owners. Typically, each owner has a specific week (a fixed week) when they can use their timeshare unit. Owners with a right-to-use contract have the right to use their timeshares for a specific period, which ends when the contract expires. A leasehold timeshare (leased timeshare) works similarly to a right-to-use contract in that the owner no longer owns a piece of the resort once the contract has expired. However, owners lease a block of time from the developer to use the property.

There are also sub-types: points-based, biennial, floating week, fixed week, and fractional ownership. Fixed-week contracts were the original form, and although they are still around, most timeshares are point-based.

Annual Maintenance Fees

Maintenance fees are one of the most apparent costs of owning a timeshare. Some vacation owners have to pay their maintenance fees to an HOA, much like owning a residential home. Most timeshare maintenance fees are due annually. In some cases, however, these maintenance fees may be either more or less frequent depending on the contract you buy.

If you’ve ever wondered how resorts maintain their amenities and keep everything running smoothly, the answer is maintenance fees! These fees go towards resort upkeep, property taxes, renovations, unexpected repairs, employee wages, and management fees. Your vacation unit will be in its best condition, even when you’re not there! If you owed a vacation home, all those fees would be on you. With a timeshare, you get to split them up across all owners. You get all the benefits of a vacation home without spending an arm and a leg.

The costs of annual maintenance fees vary by resort and unit. ARDA reported that the average yearly cost for maintenance fees in 2023 was around $1,301. But, it is different between brands. For example, Marriott’s maintenance fees will differ from the Hilton Grand Vacations cost. This payment is mandatory, and if you stop paying it, your credit could be negatively affected. If you think annual fees will be complicated to keep up with, continue searching for vacation ownership more suited to your budget.

Timeshares Are Not Investments!

It is essential to note that timeshares are not investments. They are most likely going to depreciate in value over the years. Vacation ownerships are considered luxury items, so they do not always retain their value like a car or a boat. If you’re ever looking to sell your vacation unit, remember that you will probably only get back a portion of what you paid for it. We mention this here because it’s valuable to know when considering purchasing a timeshare. When starting vacation ownership, you buy a lifetime of vacation memories; you’re not investing.

Financing

Financing your purchase is a great option to make the timeshare price work for you. Instead of paying a large sum upfront, you can divide the cost into more affordable yearly payments. Timeshare financing makes it possible for more people to afford vacation ownership! Your resale broker can provide options and price ranges on vacation ownership that are best suited for you. Financing can also have a positive impact on your credit. If you make your payments on time, paying for your timeshare can benefit you financially, whether you want Wyndham timeshare financing or Disney Vacation Club.

Timeshare vs. Hotel

If you travel often, you may wonder about the difference in upfront cost between a timeshare and a hotel. Although you pay more upfront to buy a timeshare, if you travel yearly, timeshare ownership will save you money over time.

Timeshares frequently feature more dining and living space and in-unit kitchens, which are perfect for families. So, instead of paying for multiple rooms on different floors in a hotel, you and your whole family can stay in a spacious villa with plenty of room to spread out and relax.

You will also have top-of-the-line amenities and accommodations, which are seldom offered at regular hotels.

When you join many of the top vacation clubs, you are treated like family and not just another guest. You join a new community of owners who love your brand.

Most Popular Timeshare Destinations

Many buyers prioritize their home vacation spot over everything. Here are the top timeshare locations to check out on the resale market.

• Orlando
• Las Vegas
• Hawaii
• Colorado
• Hilton Head
• Myrtle Beach
• California

Top Timeshare Property Developers

Did you know that even top brands like Marriott Vacations Worldwide have vacation ownership resorts, too? It’s true! Check out our top resort developers below.

• Marriott Vacation Club
• Wyndham Destinations
• Disney Vacation Club
• Hilton Grand Vacations
• Hyatt Vacation Club
• Holiday Inn
• Bluegreen Vacations

Vacation Exchange

Vacation exchange networks offer vacation owners a great deal of flexibility. Traveling to new places each year is most travel lovers’ dream, and vacation exchange helps make that possible. Companies like RCI and Interval International specialize in offering networks of resorts to their members. For example, you could travel to Orlando with your Hilton Grand Vacation Club timeshare and then visit an Interval International resort in Hawaii the following year through vacation exchange. There are also other benefits, such as RCI cruises and flights.

You might be curious why this relates to how much vacation ownership costs. To join these exclusive networks, you must become a member. We’ve updated the most recent RCI fees for you. Interval International also has annual dues for members to pay to join. These fees can be worth it if you’re looking to travel to somewhere new each year! Vacation exchange networks make it easy to book vacations worldwide, regardless of whether you have points or weeks. You don’t have to buy a new timeshare to visit a new vacation destination!

Don’t Let a Timeshare Scam Cost You!

Unfortunately, scammers are drawn to timeshares since the vacation industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Sometimes, vacation owners fall victim to timeshare scams and, as a result, they can lose money. A few common scams to look out for include people posing as resale companies and asking for bank account or social security information. As a rule of thumb, legitimate resale companies will never reach out to you out of the blue. It’s an illegal practice for resale companies, so use caution if you receive a cold call regarding your vacation ownership.

Another common timeshare scam tactic among scammers is convincing owners to stop paying maintenance fees. Since vacation ownerships are legal contracts, you must continue paying these fees. Failure to pay your fees can cause you to default on vacation ownership, negatively affecting your credit. You could be denied a future loan for a home or a car. There are options if you are struggling to pay for those yearly fees. Sometimes, resorts have in-house rental programs or exit solutions. If you no longer want to use your vacation unit, you may be able to sell it on the resale market.

Vacation Ownership Costs Q&A

Buy from Timeshare Owners for Less

If you’re interested in learning how to buy a timeshare for less, we recommend checking out timeshare resales. When you buy a timeshare resale, you pay far less than the initial purchase price. Many timeshare owners list their vacation ownership for sale on our online marketplace and set the pricing. While shopping online, you can search for all brands and locations of vacation ownership—not just one. Another thing about timeshare resales is that you can negotiate the terms of the sale and place a personalized offer.

Additionally, there will be no high-pressure sales tactics with us. You can submit an offer, and our friendly staff will start the process of buying a timeshare for you. For free help, give us a call at 1-800-610-2734.

Rent a Timeshare Before You Buy

Not ready for the commitment that comes with buying a timeshare? We have a solution for you! You can rent a timeshare at all the major vacation destinations and brands. Start by browsing our rentals now! Have questions? Give us a call today at 1-800-610-2734.