Your way out: a video guide for timeshare owners

0:01If you want out of your timeshare, you've probably heard plenty of promises already.

0:06This guide gives you straight answers instead.

0:09In the next few minutes, you'll learn what your contract really says, when you can still cancel, why every promise needs to be on paper, the honest ways out, and how to spot a scam.

0:22Then you can choose your next step with confidence.

0:25Let's start with what you signed.

0:28Many deeded timeshares are sold as real estate that never expires, and some contracts say the agreement continues in perpetuity.

0:36You owe the yearly maintenance fee whether you use your timeshare or not.

0:41In 2025, the average fee was about $1,550, up from around $1,120 in 2021, and that average doesn't include property taxes.

0:53Fees can rise from year to year, and special assessments for things like major repairs can come on top.

0:59Many contracts also give the resort the first right to buy your timeshare when you sell it, and many send disputes to arbitration instead of a court.

1:09The rules that apply depend mostly on the state where your timeshare is located.

1:14So the first step out is knowing exactly what your own contract says.

1:19If you bought recently, this part may matter most.

1:23There's no general federal right to cancel a timeshare purchase.

1:28That right comes from state law and from your contract.

1:32Depending on the state, you usually get somewhere between 5 and 15 days to cancel a new timeshare purchase, and your paperwork should spell out the deadline.

1:42In many states, the clock starts when you sign or when you receive the required disclosure documents, whichever comes later, and in several states you can't sign that right away.

1:53To cancel, do it in writing, before the deadline, and keep proof that you sent it.

1:59The FTC suggests certified mail with a return receipt.

2:03And if you borrowed against your own home to pay for the timeshare, that loan may come with its own right to cancel within 3 business days.

2:12Now think back to the sales presentation.

2:15Maybe you were told you could rent it out, sell it later for a profit, or trade it for a trip anywhere.

2:21Here's the rule that matters: a promise that isn't in your paperwork can't protect you.

2:27The FTC puts it simply: get all promises in writing. It's your right.

2:33Some perks you were sold, like exchange or loyalty benefits, may not pass to a buyer if you sell.

2:40And if a contract was sold with false promises, that may be grounds to undo it, but that's a legal claim for a licensed attorney in your state, with proof and deadlines.

2:51So keep everything: your contract, your disclosure documents, and every promise you got in writing.

2:58So what are the legitimate ways out?

3:01There are several, and each one comes with a catch.

3:05The FTC's first suggestion is to contact your timeshare company.

3:10Many resort companies now have their own exit or deed-back programs, but who qualifies varies, and some are aimed at owners who've already paid off their loan.

3:20You can try to sell.

3:22But the resale market is crowded, selling can be hard, and resales often bring far less than you paid.

3:29If you do list it, the FTC suggests a reseller who's paid only after the sale.

3:35You can transfer it to someone else, but that has to go through the resort's own process.

3:41Donating is harder than it sounds, and the tax deduction is generally limited to what the timeshare is actually worth.

3:48And if you were misled when you bought, a licensed attorney can tell you whether you have a claim.

3:54Each route has its own rules, its own paperwork and its own risks, and the right one depends on your contract.

4:02Owners who want out are often targeted by scams, so it pays to know the warning signs.

4:08The FTC lists several. Here are three, in its own words.

4:13Unsolicited calls or messages offering advice or assistance to get out of your timeshare.

4:19Guarantees or promises to cancel your timeshare contract.

4:23Demands you pay large up-front fees before they do anything.

4:28Watch for pressure, too, like being told you have to sign today.

4:32Some scammers claim to be with your resort, a law office or a government agency.

4:38Others say they already have a buyer for your timeshare.

4:42And people who've already lost money are often targeted again, by so-called recovery services that want a fee up front.

4:50Before you trust any company, search its name with the word complaint, and check with your state attorney general and the Better Business Bureau.

4:58You can report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

5:04Now put it all together.

5:06Getting out on your own means reading a contract that was written to last, finding your state's deadlines, asking your resort what it offers and whether you qualify, weighing a sale in a crowded market, and checking out every company that calls you.

5:21That's a lot to carry by yourself, and one missed deadline or one wrong company can cost you time and money.

5:29You don't have to carry it alone.

5:32At Timeshare Exit Today, getting owners out of their timeshares is what we do, and we've helped thousands of owners get out.

5:39And you can check us the way this guide suggests: the Better Business Bureau rates us A+, with zero complaints.

5:47It starts with a free 30-minute consultation, where we go through your contract with you, and you'll come away knowing your options.

5:54Every step is in writing before you sign: what you'll pay, what we'll do, and what happens if we don't.

6:01Then we deal with the resort for you and keep you updated along the way.

6:06If we can't help, we'll tell you up front.

6:09And if you qualify, you can start with $0 down.

6:13Book your free consultation on our website, or call 866-453-8111.

6:20Timeshare Exit Today. Get out, for good.