Feeling a bit intimidated about selling your timeshare? No worries, we understand! There are quite a few myths about the timeshare resale market out there. Plus, with so much misinformation in the air, it can be hard to know exactly who you can trust. That’s why we’re here to help. With over 20 years of experience in the timeshare resale market, we’re the best place to turn to for tips on selling timeshares. Keep reading to learn about the best way to sell a timeshare property!
- Why Trust Us for the Best Way to Sell a Timeshare?
- Get in Contact With Your Developer
- Why the Resale Market Is the Best Way To Sell a Timeshare
- How Long Does It Take to Sell a Timeshare?
- How to Price Your Timeshare for the Resale Market
- Documents You'll Need to Sell a Timeshare
- Common Scams to Avoid When You Sell a Timeshare
- Expectations When Deciding to Sell a Timeshare
- Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Timeshare
- Work With Fidelity to Sell Your Timeshare
Why Trust Us for the Best Way to Sell a Timeshare?
We know what you might be wondering, “If there’s so much misinformation out there, how do I know Fidelity Real Estate is trustworthy?” It’s a pretty reasonable question, so let’s talk a bit about why you can trust us. Like we mentioned earlier, we’ve been helping timeshare owners sell their timeshares for over 20 years. As a result, it’s safe to say that we have plenty of experience in the field. That experience is great, but it’s not all we have backing us up. We’re also the featured reseller of the American Resort Development Association, also known as ARDA. ARDA is a group that is dedicated to keeping everyone in the timeshare industry safe: timeshare companies, buyers, sellers, you name it. As ARDA’s featured reseller, we’re bound to a strict code of ethics that help uphold that standard of safety.
So, what does this all mean? It means that we have decades of experience when it comes to helping timeshare owners, alongside a reputation for acting ethically and honestly. Who else could be better to offer tips when it comes to navigating the resale market? Next, let’s go over some tips on the best way to sell a timeshare property.
Get in Contact With Your Developer
We always recommend that you reach out to your timeshare developer first. If you no longer want your timeshare ownership, the timeshare company you purchased it from may be able to assist you themselves. In fact, some of these companies even offer timeshare deed back programs. These programs allow owners to give the timeshare back to their developer. With that said, not every timeshare company has a program like this, and if you want to recoup some costs, selling your timeshare on the resale market is your best bet.
Why the Resale Market Is the Best Way To Sell a Timeshare
A licensed real estate brokerage with a history of helping timeshare owners is the best way to sell a timeshare property if you don’t have any other options. It is possible to sell a timeshare yourself, but we don’t recommend you do so unless you are an expert in reselling timeshares.
If you’re looking for a bit of financial relief, you will be happy to know that some resale companies require no up-front fees. Naturally, this is a major perk for sellers as they can alleviate the monetary burden that comes with the selling process.
Want to learn about how we can help you save on selling your timeshare? Then check out our video, “How to Sell a Timeshare Without Upfront Fees.”
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Timeshare?
One of the first questions we hear from owners is, “How long is this going to take?” It’s a fair thing to wonder, especially if you’re hoping for a swift resolution. The honest answer? It depends. Some timeshares sell quickly, while others take a little more patience.
A few factors can affect your timeline:
- Your resort and brand. Timeshares at popular, in-demand resorts (think well-known vacation clubs) often attract buyers faster.
- Your asking price. A realistic price gets attention. Our expert, licensed real estate agents can help you set the right price.
- The season and points or weeks you own. High-demand travel seasons and flexible ownership tend to draw more interest.
- Current market demand. Like any market, timeshare resales have busier and slower periods.
Here’s the reassuring part: when you list your timeshare with us, your posting has the chance to be seen by thousands of potential buyers from around the world. That kind of exposure helps move things along. While we can’t guarantee an exact closing date, our experienced team works to keep your sale moving smoothly from start to finish.
How to Price Your Timeshare for the Resale Market
Pricing is where many owners get tripped up, so let’s clear things up. Timeshares are a luxury product, similar to a car or a boat. Once they’ve been purchased and used, they typically depreciate in value rather than appreciate. This means a timeshare should never be viewed as a financial investment, and you likely won’t sell it for what you originally paid. A price that reflects the current resale market is far more likely to attract serious, reliable buyers, and a lower resale price is often exactly what draws them in.
The good news? You don’t have to figure out the right price on your own. When you reach out to Fidelity Real Estate, one of our licensed agents can provide an approximate resale value for your timeshare, much like running a comparison on a home. That way, you can list with confidence, knowing your number is grounded in real market data. And here’s a perk worth repeating: when you sell with Fidelity, there are never any upfront listing fees. We earn our commission only once your timeshare sells, so our goals are completely aligned with yours.
Documents You’ll Need to Sell a Timeshare
Gathering your paperwork ahead of time is one of the easiest ways to keep your sale efficient and avoid last-minute hiccups. Having everything organized helps your agent move quickly and gives potential buyers confidence in the transaction. While the exact requirements can vary, here are the documents most owners will want to have on hand:
- Your timeshare deed or contract. This is the official record of your ownership and one of the most important documents in the process. It confirms exactly what you own.
- Maintenance fee records. Recent statements showing your annual maintenance fees, and proof that they’re paid and current, reassure buyers and keep things moving.
- Loan payoff information. If you still owe money on your timeshare, you’ll want details about your remaining balance and payoff amount.
- Your account or membership details. Information such as your ownership number, points or weeks, and your home resort helps your agent create an accurate posting.
- A recent statement from your developer. This can confirm your ownership status and that your account is in good standing.
Don’t worry if you can’t locate everything right away. Our team has guided thousands of owners through this exact process, and we’re happy to walk you through what you need step by step. Many of these documents can be requested directly from your resort or developer if you’ve misplaced them.
Common Scams to Avoid When You Sell a Timeshare
Now that we’ve looked at the best ways to sell a timeshare, it’s important to be wary of some pitfalls in the world of timeshare resales. So, here are some things you’ll need to know if you want to avoid timeshare scams.
Red Flags to Watch Out for if You Want to Sell a Timeshare
- High up-front fees. Just because a company charges up-front fees doesn’t mean they are a scammer. However, it is something to keep an eye on as a timeshare owner. If someone requires ridiculous fees up front from you with a wire transfer then, proceed with caution. You shouldn’t send someone money unless you know exactly what it’s for and why it’s needed.
- “Timeshare Cancellation” Companies. When you sell a timeshare, it’s important to know you can’t cancel a timeshare contract. When you first purchase a timeshare, most states offer a rescission period of a few days. You cannot cancel your timeshare after the rescission period ends because you are legally bound to your contract.
- Stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees. Proceed with caution if a timeshare exit company instructs you to stop paying your annual maintenance fees. You should only stop paying these fees if your resort developer notifies you that you no longer own a timeshare with them. This is because failure to pay your fees can lead to you defaulting on your timeshare ownership and damaging your credit. As a result, this is one of the most harmful timeshare scams out there, as it can have long-term repercussions. Ultimately, the best way to safely exit timeshare contracts is by selling your timeshare appropriately.
- Out-of-the-blue phone calls or emails. It is illegal for anyone to contact you out of the blue, informing you that they have an interested buyer for your timeshare. You should never respond to unsolicited contact from a resale company unless you have given them permission to reach out to you.
Expectations When Deciding to Sell a Timeshare
While selling a timeshare is the best way to move on from your ownership, it’s important to keep your expectations in check about the outcome. Timeshares are a luxury product, kind of like cars, which means that once they’ve been used, they depreciate in value. While some timeshares, like those with Disney Vacation Club, may sometimes maintain their resale value over the years, they’re the exception, not the rule. This means that timeshare sales shouldn’t be seen as a way to make a profit. You’ll likely recoup some costs from purchasing your timeshare property, but often, what will bring buyers in is the lower resale price. Ultimately, selling your timeshare with a trusted resale company is the best way to avoid scams and stop maintenance fees. Moreover, it’s important to keep your expectations in check through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Timeshare
We get a lot of great questions from owners, so we’ve gathered some of the most common ones right here to help put your mind at ease.
Work With Fidelity to Sell Your Timeshare
If you want the best way to sell a timeshare property, Fidelity Real Estate is perfect for you! We have the experience needed to guide you through the resale process and a reputation you can trust. But that’s not all we have. With our online marketplace, we make the act of selling timeshares as convenient as possible. You’ll get to work with one of our timeshare resale specialists to create a listing on our marketplace. From there, your listing will have the chance to be seen by thousands of potential buyers from around the world. Plus, our digital process allows owners to sell their timeshare entirely from the comfort of their own homes. What’s not to love? Fill out the form below to say goodbye to your ownership today!
Contact Fidelity
Do you still have questions? No problem! Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-410-8326 or email us at [email protected]. Our licensed agents are always happy to help!
