Whether you’re looking to buy a timeshare or want to make a safe exit, working with the best timeshare resale companies will help the process go smoothly. Here’s how to identify the best timeshare resale companies, from advertising services to real estate agencies.
Resale Market Overview
The timeshare resale market is one of the best ways to get into vacation ownership and a safe, legal way to get out of it as well. Timeshare owners can sell their unwanted timeshares to prospective buyers, freeing them from their obligations while netting the buyer a great deal on a lifetime of vacations. Timeshare resale companies exist to help make the process easier by handling much of the hard work for you.
Why Use a Resale Company?
It’s possible to sell a timeshare on your own, and people have used the largest online marketplaces to do so in the past. However, there are several significant advantages to using resale companies.
- Marketing: Timeshare resale companies handle the advertising for you, making it easier for prospective buyers to find your timeshare.
- Legitimacy: Companies like Fidelity Real Estate vet every timeshare they sell, so buyers know they’re getting the real deal.
- Expertise: These companies are staffed by timeshare experts, who can provide pricing guidance and handle certain elements of the resale process for you.
Remember, timeshares are real estate. Selling a timeshare is a lot like selling a house, so working with experts takes a lot of the load off your shoulders. Consider working with one if you can.
Red Flags and Realistic Expectations
It’s important to be vigilant of potential scams when researching timeshare resale companies. Often, these scammers rely on people’s lack of knowledge to lure them in by setting unrealistic, impossible expectations. Here are some things to remember.
- Selling a Timeshare Doesn’t Require Large Upfront Fees: While you might pay advertising fees with some services, legitimate brokers generally do not charge large upfront fees to list timeshares, earning commissions only after making a sale.
- Selling a Timeshare Takes Time: There usually aren’t people waiting to snatch up your timeshare the moment it hits the market. Selling a timeshare can take a while, and the closing process alone can take several months. If a company claims instant results before they even look at your timeshare, be wary.
- Selling a Timeshare Usually Isn’t Profitable: Timeshares don’t retain their value after purchase, particularly if you bought them from the developer. Timeshare resales are a safe way to exit a timeshare, not a money-making scheme. Don’t trust companies promising to get you your money back.
If you’re not sure whether a timeshare company is worth your time, we’ve got a guide to identifying legitimate companies on our blog. Otherwise, a good shortcut is to see if ARDA, the governing body for timeshare companies, recognizes them. Companies affiliated with ARDA follow a strict code of ethics and have a proven track record of helping timeshare owners find a buyer.
Types of Timeshare Companies
There are two main types of timeshare resale companies, which each cater to a different use case. Finding the one that works for you depends on your situation and goals. We’ll start with the type of company we are: a timeshare real estate company.
Timeshare Real Estate Companies
Fidelity Real Estate is, as the name implies, a real estate company. That means we specialize in listing timeshares for sale, much like other real estate companies list homes and other properties. Companies like ours are the ones you should turn to when you’re committed to finding a new buyer for your timeshare.
Real estate companies are staffed by licensed real estate agents, who can help you through the entire process. They offer personalized service and have years of experience in timeshare sales. Many companies also partner with major brands. For instance, Fidelity Real Estate is the recommended reseller for the Disney Vacation Club and a featured reseller for Wyndham Destinations.
Selling your timeshare is a lot like selling a house. A real estate agent will help you figure out what your timeshare is worth and make a listing for you. You just need to provide the relevant information, like the timeshare’s location, unit size, and most recent maintenance fees. If your timeshare uses a points-based ownership system, they’ll also need your annual point allotment, use year, and home resort.
Working with a timeshare real estate company is good for people who prefer a hands-off approach. They handle most of the transactions and paperwork on your behalf, including working with title companies. All you need to do is provide your information. You also won’t be charged until closing, so there’s minimal risk involved. If you’re specifically looking to sell your timeshare, a real estate company is one of the best timeshare resale companies you can pick.
Timeshare Marketplaces
A timeshare marketplace works differently from a real estate firm. These companies don’t actually sell your timeshare. Instead, they help you market your timeshare to a receptive audience. Timeshare marketplaces are search-engine-optimized and marketed to prospective buyers. Rather than getting lost in a sea of used cars and old couches, prospective buyers can use search tools to explore timeshares at top destinations, making it easier for them to find your ad.
These services post advertisements, not listings. That gives you more control over what you list and allows you to set your own price. More importantly, it also allows you to rent out your timeshare. Rentals can be a good interim solution if you’re temporarily unable to use your timeshare, as the income can help cover maintenance fees in the short term.
What Is the Best Timeshare Resale Company for Me?
You shouldn’t feel pressured to choose one type of company over another. Both have their uses, and many sellers end up using both. However, understanding their specific use cases can save you time and money in the long run.
If your timeshare is from a top brand, like Disney, Marriott, or Wyndham, you should consider working with a real estate agency like Fidelity. Contracts from the best timeshare companies attract more attention on the market and tend to sell more quickly. Agencies like Fidelity will handle the marketing for you, so you don’t need to pay an upfront advertising fee.
If your timeshare is from a smaller or independent brand, or you’re not fully committed to selling it, working with a company like Timeshares Only might be more effective. When you find a buyer, you can pull in a real estate company to help finalize the deal.
Steps To Sell Your Timeshare
Before you contact a timeshare resale company, take a moment to gather all the information about your timeshare. This includes your deed (if you have one), your contract, and an invoice for your most recent annual payment. Make sure you’ve paid off the timeshare before you begin. If you financed it, you should have no outstanding balance. If you’re still paying off your timeshare, you can’t legally sell it and may need to seek out an alternative solution.
Once you’ve gathered all your information, it’s time to contact a real estate agent. They can help you identify any gaps in your info, locate relevant documents, and set an appropriate price. This is also when you should determine the finer details of the sale, like who is responsible for closing costs. Usually, the buyer handles any additional fees, but you may want to cover them as a purchase incentive.
After your timeshare is listed, you just need to wait. Your real estate agent will contact you when you receive an offer. If no one is interested, that probably means the price is too high. Your agent can help you adjust it until you find a buyer. Beyond that, you don’t need to think about it until the closing process. Once you reach the closing process, your real estate agent will guide you through it all.
How To Find the Best Timeshare Deals
If you’re looking to buy a timeshare, a timeshare resale company is a good place to start. The timeshare resale market is a great way to find a great deal on a vacation property. Timeshare resales often go for considerably less than what you’d pay the developer, netting you more vacation time for your buck.
Our website makes finding the best timeshare deals easy! You can sort listings by brand, destination, resort, price, and unit type. So if you’re only interested in buying a Margaritaville Vacation Club timeshare, or are keen on vacationing at Hilton Head Island, it’s easy to find timeshares that fit your needs.
Each listing includes all the relevant information, from the price per point to the most recent annual fee. We also include a calculator (provided by our friends at Vacation Club Loans) to help you decide whether to finance your timeshare purchase. Our landing pages feature listings from top resorts and destinations, so it’s a breeze to find what you’re looking for.
Whoa, This Timeshare is $1! What Gives?
Occasionally, you’ll see a resale on our marketplace at an exceptionally low price, including $1 or less. They might seem too good to be true, but they’re very real listings. Timeshare resales exist as a way to exit a timeshare safely, and some timeshare owners prioritize a quick exit over recouping their losses. However, there are some hidden costs associated with these bargain timeshares you should be aware of.
First, all timeshares come with an annual maintenance fee. Sometimes these are charged monthly or quarterly, but often they’re limited to a single bill per year. Some of these discount timeshares have significant maintenance fees attached, so check the listing before making an offer.
These $1 timeshares aren’t exempt from closing fees either. Someone will need to pay the real estate agent’s commission, the title transfer fees, and any additional fees levied by the resort. Sometimes, the seller will offer to pay these fees as an incentive, but usually they fall to the buyer.
FAQs
Next Steps And Resources
Whether you’re looking to sell your timeshare, searching for a great deal on vacation ownership, or just want to browse, Fidelity Real Estate can help. Fidelity Real Estate has specialized in resale for over 20 years, with no upfront listing fees. We’ve closed timeshares in every U.S. state and in countries around the world, and we’re here to help you. Find out how working with a real estate expert can make all the difference. Call us today at (407) 216-5187 or contact us at [email protected] to start searching for a buyer today!
