How much is my timeshare worth?

By: John Kushman

Prior to deciding how to get rid of your timeshare, the most important thing you should do is determine how much your timeshare is worth. Understanding your timeshare’s value will also help you save money, as divesting a timeshare can be quite expensive.

One of the most important questions timeshare owners face is: “What is my timeshare worth?” Whether you’re considering selling, divesting, or simply understanding its resale value, knowing how much your timeshare is worth is crucial. Determining your timeshare value accurately helps you navigate the exit process and ensures you avoid overpaying or losing potential buyers.

Understanding Timeshare Value

One of the most common mistakes owners make is assuming that since they paid 10 to 20 thousand dollars for their ownership, it’s still worth nearly that much. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true. The resale value of timeshares are often much lower due to market saturation and the nature of ownership.

What are timeshares and how do they work?

The American Resort Developer Association (ARDA) notes on their website that a timeshare is a “use” product, which means the owners derive the value from the annual vacations they take, it also means that a timeshare is not an investment.

When you purchased your timeshare, you paid upfront to secure the right to use the timeshare resort or system on a yearly basis. This can make sense for travellers if they’ve found that the annual maintenance fees are less than the cost of staying at a similar resort. In this scenario, the owner recoups the savings each year and recovers a portion of the initial investment. Learn more about what timeshares are here.

However, problems begin to arise when an owner’s situation changes and they can’t travel consistently, or the maintenance fees start increasing. If this is the position you are in, then it’s time to get rid of your timeshare.

Evaluating how much your timeshare is worth is the key to choosing the best timeshare exit service for your circumstances.

How Much Are Timeshares Worth?

The value of a timeshare varies based on location, time of year (week or season), unit size, and exchange options. Owners often wonder what their timeshares are worth in today’s market. Generally, they are worth a fraction of the original price. Market trends and demand for your specific resort significantly impact the resale value.

What is my timeshare worth?

If you’re asking How much is my timeshare worth, the answer isn’t straightforward, but here are key steps to help you determine its timeshare resale value.

Research similar listings: compare timeshares within your resort or geographic area. Consider factors like season, unit size, and amenities.
Market conditions: if the timeshare market is saturated with sellers, you may need to set a more competitive price.

How to value a timeshare

To accurately value your timeshare, consider these factors:

Look at nightly rental rates

Compare your annual maintenance fees to the cost of similar lodging, and look at sites like Trip Advisor to find comparable resorts. Keep in mind that a hotel usually isn’t comparable to a timeshare. The amenities (such as a kitchen and in-room laundry) and size need to be similar for an apples-to-apples comparison. If it’s cheaper to stay by booking on sites like expedia.com, hotels.com, or kayak.com, that means there is little to no value to pay upfront for the right to stay at your timeshare. If you find there are some savings, just ask yourself, how much would I pay upfront to save X dollars per year?

Search sold auction listings

Look at auction listings. eBay has a great, completed listings search function that will allow you to look for sold listings of your particular resort. This is usually better than looking at listing prices because these represent actual sales prices rather than listings. These are usually more revealing than relying on what other people have listed their ownership for on timeshare specific sales websites.

Would you rebuy the timeshare?

Reassess your own decision to buy. How much value do you feel you got from your timeshare? Would you purchase it again knowing what you just learned about travel prices during your research on Trip Advisor?

Honestly answering these questions will reveal a lot about how much you can expect to get for your timeshare; after all, if you wouldn’t buy again, why would anyone else?

Timeshare value calculators

Timeshare exit companies often use a timeshare value calculator to estimate your timeshare’s worth. These calculators factor in the initial purchase price, annual maintenance fees and the years you’ve owned the timeshare. Knowing your yearly timeshare costs will also help determine the value of your timeshare ownership; you can use our timeshare cost calculator here.

Additional costs associated with finding a buyer or transferring timeshare ownership

Now that you’ve determined how much your timeshare is worth, the next step in the divestment process is to determine how much it will cost to find someone willing to take over your ownership and the carrying costs you will incur while you try to sell. For more information on this subject, check out our article – How much does it cost to get rid of a timeshare?

Expert Assistance for Timeshare Exit

At Timeshare Specialists, we understand the complexities of timeshare divestment. We can help answer any questions you have and we’ll explore viable options for getting you out of your timeshare. As timeshare resale specialists, we can also help you get a timeshare value appraisal.

How much is my timeshare worth FAQs:

How can I find out how much my timeshare is worth?

You can determine your timeshare’s value by researching similar listings within your resort or geographic area. It’s essential to consider factors like the season, unit size, and amenities. Additionally, you can compare prices on auction listings and timeshare-specific sales websites.

What factors impact the resale value of a timeshare?

The resale value of a timeshare is influenced by its location, the time of year (or season), unit size, available amenities, and whether it’s part of an exchange program. Market conditions also play a big role, as saturated markets can decrease value.

How do I use a timeshare value calculator?

Timeshare value calculators estimate your timeshare’s worth by factoring in your initial purchase price, annual maintenance fees, and the number of years you’ve owned the timeshare. These tools help you understand the potential resale value of your timeshare.

Can I sell my timeshare for the original price I paid?

In most cases, timeshares are sold at a fraction of the original purchase price. Timeshare resale values are typically lower due to market saturation, depreciation, and the nature of the product.

What are the additional costs involved in transferring timeshare ownership?

When selling or transferring a timeshare, you may incur additional costs such as listing fees, brokerage fees, and legal costs related to the transfer of ownership. It’s important to consider these costs before beginning the process.

How can Timeshare Specialists help me with my timeshare valuation?

Timeshare Specialists can provide expert advice on how to value your timeshare. They offer services like timeshare value appraisals, helping you understand the worth of your ownership and the most efficient ways to exit.

About the Author

John Kushman

John Kushman is the President of Timeshare Specialists, Inc. and Co-Owner of Resort Closings, Inc. He has overseen the sale of tens of thousands of Timeshares on the resale market and founded the Timeshare Scam Hotline in 2018 to protect consumers from con-artists.

The Timeshare Specialists Difference

Timeshare Specialists has been a leader in Timeshare Divestment since 2014, we’ve helped thousands of owners just like you find the right way to get out of timeshare ownership. Our goal is to be sure you make the right decision so we’ll assess your ownership and let you know your options.

If you choose one of our guaranteed options, we promise you’ll never pay another fee and since we don’t charge up front, there’s zero risk to starting one of our programs. Our Award winning team is ready to help you today!