Selling a timeshare is different from selling almost anything else you own. The resale market is thin, demand varies by brand and resort, and the “best company” depends heavily on what you actually own and what it’s realistically worth.
For most owners, a low-cost, commission-free listing on an established marketplace, such as RedWeek, TUG, or My Resort Network, paired with a licensed closing company, is the right first step. Higher-value ownerships may warrant a commission-only broker. Whatever you choose, avoid anyone who asks for large upfront fees.
This guide breaks down how the major players differ, what each type of service actually does, and how to avoid paying money upfront to a company that can’t deliver results.
Disclosure: Timeshare Specialists, Resort Closings, Inc., Buy and Sell Timeshares, and Timeshares by John are part of the same family of companies. We’ve kept them out of the independent comparison below and listed them separately, with how each one works, so you can judge for yourself.
• You want to sell it yourself and keep costs low: list on an established marketplace such as RedWeek, TUG or My Resort Network.
• Your timeshare is in high demand (popular brand, prime season, strong points value): consider a commission-only broker who is paid only when it sells.
• Your resort has a buy-back, resale or deed-back program: ask your resort first. It can be the simplest exit.
• It has little or no resale value and you want out: use a legitimate transfer program that charges nothing upfront.
Very few companies buy timeshares outright. Most resale buyers are individual vacationers looking for a specific resort, season or points package at a fraction of the developer’s price. That’s why most timeshares sell for far less than their original purchase price, and why many don’t have meaningful resale value at all.
The other “buyers” you’ll come across are:
• Your resort or developer. Some run buy-back, resale or deed-back programs for eligible owners. See our guide to timeshare deed-back programs.
• Resale companies buying for their own inventory. This is occasional and limited to in-demand ownerships.
• Scammers posing as buyers. If someone calls offering to buy your timeshare for a high price but needs a fee first, it’s almost certainly a scam. Check our Timeshare Scam Database.
Not sure what yours is worth? Try our timeshare resale value lookup or give us a call.
A legitimate resale company is clear about what you pay, when you pay it and who finds the buyer. Before you sign anything, check these seven things:
1. How you pay: a one-time listing fee, a monthly subscription, or commission only when it sells. Large upfront fees are the biggest red flag in this industry.
2. Who finds the buyer: a marketplace gives you exposure and you deal with buyers yourself; a broker markets the ownership and negotiates for you.
3. Real buyer traffic and verified listings: an established audience matters more than promises.
4. Licensed escrow and closing: funds should sit in a licensed, bonded escrow account until the deed is recorded and the resort confirms the new owner.
5. A track record you can check: the company’s BBB profile and complaint history, how long it’s been operating, and independent reviews.
6. A written agreement: with the fees, timeline and cancellation terms spelled out.
7. Licensing: if a broker is involved, ask for their license number and verify it with the state.
Before listing anywhere, ask your resort whether it offers a buy-back, resale, or deed-back program and what its transfer requirements and fees are. Some brands offer their own exit options. Our brand guides explain what’s available.
These companies aren’t connected to us. The table shows how each one charges, based on its own website in October 2026. Prices change, so check the current cost on each site before you list.
| Platform | Type | How It Charges | Commission | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RedWeek | Owner-to-buyer marketplace (sales and rentals) | Paid membership, then pay for your ad. Full-service option with an upfront fee plus a further fee only if it sells. | None on a DIY ad; a success fee on full-service | Popular resorts that benefit from a large audience |
| TUG (Timeshare Users Group) | Owner community and classified marketplace | Buy TUG credits and use them to pay for your ad. Optional paid upgrades for more visibility. | None | Owners who want an informed, owner-to-owner audience |
| My Resort Network | Owner listing site | A one-off fee for a fixed-term ad | None (“keep 100% of the proceeds”) | A low-cost listing |
| eBay | General marketplace (auction or fixed price) | A listing (insertion) fee, which depends on the listing format, plus a further fee if your listing receives bids | Timeshares fall under eBay's separate real estate fee rules; check them before listing | Fast, wide exposure, paired with a licensed closing company |
*Structures subject to change; always verify directly.
One of the largest timeshare marketplaces, featuring verified listings and resort reviews. It suits owners of popular resorts who are comfortable handling inquiries. The catch: you pay for a membership as well as the ad, and there’s significant competition from other listings.
An owner community running since 1993, with a classified marketplace and active forums full of practical advice. It suits owners who want an informed audience. The catch: a smaller audience than the big marketplaces, and you handle pricing, negotiation, and closing the sale yourself.
A simple, low-cost listing site with no commission. It suits owners who want to test the market affordably. The catch: you handle buyers yourself and need to arrange the closing.
eBay gives you very wide exposure and can move quickly, especially for low-value ownerships. The catch: listings attract bargain hunters, and you’ll need a licensed closing company to complete the transfer properly. Read our guide to selling timeshares on eBay.
• BBB: the accredited Timeshare Resale and Rental Marketing category lets you compare ratings and complaint histories.
• Coalition for Responsible Exit: an industry group linked to developers, with a directory of resale and rental providers.
These are our own companies. We include them because many owners ask us directly. Here’s what each one does and how it charges.
| Service | What It Is | How It Charges | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Transfer Program | Timeshare Specialists' permanent transfer for ownerships with little or no resale value. Generally for timeshares that are paid off and current. | No upfront fees: you don't pay until the transfer is complete. | Owners who want out for good |
| Timeshare Brokerage Services | Timeshare Specialists' commission-only brokerage for ownerships that do hold resale value. Most timeshares don't qualify, and we'll tell you so. | Free evaluation; commission agreed in writing and paid only after a sale. | High-value ownerships |
| Owner's Advantage Plan | Timeshare Specialists lists your ownership across multiple established resale sites on your behalf, under our own accounts. You set the price. | A low monthly fee while the listing is active, which includes a discount on Resort Closings' transfer service. | Owners who want broad exposure without managing the listing themselves |
| Buy and Sell Timeshares | A separate self-listing marketplace in our family of companies. | Flat monthly subscription, only while your listing is active. | Owners who'd rather list and manage the sale themselves |
| Timeshares by John | A resale storefront in our family of companies. Occasionally buys selected, in-demand ownerships directly. | Discussed case by case | Owners of in-demand ownerships |
| Resort Closings | Licensed, bonded and insured escrow and closing company. 20+ years' experience; 55,000+ transfers at 2,500 resorts. | A closing fee that depends on the resort and the service you need, quoted before you start. No upfront fees; funds are held in escrow until closing. | Closing any timeshare sale safely |
When our services aren’t the right fit – if your resort offers a free deed-back, use it. If you only want a single fixed-term ad, a one-off listing on an independent site may suit you better than a monthly plan.
Expect three types of cost: advertising or listing fees (a one-off fee for a fixed-term ad, a yearly ad, or a small monthly subscription); commission, if you use a broker, usually paid only when it sells; and closing costs, paid to a licensed closing company to transfer the deed or membership. Your resort may also charge its own transfer fee, and maintenance fees must be current before a sale can close.
For a step-by-step guide to the selling process itself, see our timeshare sales tips.
A paid-off timeshare is the simplest to sell or transfer, and many transfer programs require it. If you still owe money, the loan balance must be paid at closing: either pay it off yourself or price the ownership to cover it. Read how to sell a timeshare that is not paid off.
Most resale scams follow the same patterns. Walk away if a company:
• Cold-calls you claiming to have a buyer waiting
• Asks for upfront fees for an appraisal, listing, “closing costs” or “taxes” before anything happens
• Guarantees a sale price, or pressures you to decide on the spot
• Won’t use a licensed escrow company, or asks you to wire money to an individual
• Has no verifiable address, license or BBB history
Unsure about an offer? Call the Timeshare Scam Hotline, check our Timeshare Scam Database, and read how to sell a timeshare without getting scammed.
• Timeshare Specialists is BBB A+ accredited (accredited since 2012) and won the BBB Torch Award for Ethics in Montana in 2020. View our BBB profile.
• In business since 2014, and we’ve helped 50,000+ timeshare owners since 2022.
• Our sister company, Resort Closings, Inc., is a licensed, bonded and insured escrow and closing company with 20+ years’ experience and 55,000+ completed transfers at 2,500 resorts.
• We founded the Timeshare Scam Hotline in 2018 to protect owners from resale fraud.
There isn’t a single best company for everyone. For most owners, an established, low-cost marketplace such as RedWeek, TUG, or My Resort Network is the best starting point. A commission-only broker suits high-demand ownerships, and your resort’s own program can be the simplest option. Avoid any company that charges large upfront fees.
Mostly individual vacationers buy on the resale market for far less than developer prices. Some resorts buy back or take back ownerships through their own programs, and a few resale companies occasionally buy in-demand ownerships for their inventory. Unsolicited “buyers” who ask for a fee first are usually scammers.
Yes. Reputable companies are transparent about fees, don’t demand large upfront payments, use licensed escrow for closing, and have a track record you can verify on the BBB. Use the seven checks above to compare any company, including ours.
Where buyers for your type of ownership already look. Large marketplaces like RedWeek suit popular resorts, TUG reaches experienced owners, and eBay gives wide exposure for lower-value weeks. Use a licensed closing company wherever you list.
If your resort offers a buy-back or deed-back program, that’s often the easiest option. Otherwise, a full-service broker handles marketing and negotiation for you, while a marketplace listing costs less but requires more of your time. Our timeshare sales tips walk you through each step.
Sometimes. Some developers run buyback, resale, or deedback programs for eligible owners, usually for owners whose ownership is paid off and current on fees. Call your resort first to ask what it offers and what it costs.
It depends on the brand, resort, season, points and maintenance fees, not what you originally paid. Many timeshares resell for a fraction of the original price. Compare similar listings or use our resale value lookup.
Yes, but the remaining loan must be paid at closing, either by you or out of the sale price. Check what you owe before you list. Our guide explains your options for selling a timeshare that is not paid off.
The steps are similar, but points memberships often have club-specific transfer rules and fees, and some points lose benefits when resold. Check your club’s rules before listing. A deeded week is transferred by recording a new deed.
Never pay large upfront fees, be wary of unsolicited calls about buyers, verify any company on the BBB, and only close through a licensed escrow company. If in doubt, call the Timeshare Scam Hotline at 877-316-9181.
Usually, your resort’s own deed-back or exit program, if it offers one. If not, a transfer program with no upfront fees can be a low-risk option. See our divestment guide.
Andrew Hertsens is Head of Timeshare Resales at Timeshare Specialists. He helps buyers and sellers navigate the resale market with confidence – from determining fair market values to comparing resale platforms, brokers, and ownership types.
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