The True Cost of Your Timeshare Over 10 Years

When you bought your timeshare, the salesperson probably told you it was a great investment. They showed you the purchase price and maybe mentioned the annual maintenance fee—which seemed reasonable at the time.

What they didn't tell you is how those costs would grow over time. And when you add up everything over 10, 20, or 30 years, the numbers are shocking.

Let's do the math.

The Maintenance Fee Problem

According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the average timeshare maintenance fee is now over $1,000 per year. But that's just the average—many owners pay $1,500, $2,000, or more.

Worse, these fees increase every year. The average annual increase is between 5% and 8%—far outpacing inflation. That means:

• A $1,000 fee today becomes $1,629 in 10 years (at 5% annual increase)
• That same fee becomes $2,159 in 10 years (at 8% annual increase)

And you have no control over these increases. The resort sets the fees, and you pay them—or face collections, credit damage, and potential lawsuits.

A Real 10-Year Cost Calculation

Let's look at what a typical timeshare actually costs over 10 years, assuming a starting maintenance fee of $1,200 and a conservative 6% annual increase:

That's nearly $20,000 over 10 years—and this doesn't even include your original purchase price or any financing costs.

The Hidden Costs They Don't Tell You About

Special Assessments

When a resort needs major repairs—new roofs, hurricane damage, renovations—they pass those costs to owners through "special assessments." These can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, and they're mandatory.

You might get hit with one every few years, or multiple times in a single year if something major happens.

Exchange Fees

Want to use your timeshare at a different resort? You'll typically pay $200-$300 per exchange through companies like RCI or Interval International, plus an annual membership fee of $100+.

Booking Fees

Some resorts now charge fees just to book your own week—the one you supposedly "own."

Upgrade Pressure

Every time you visit, you'll likely face pressure to "upgrade" your ownership, attend an "owner update" meeting, or buy more points. These sessions are designed to extract more money from you.

The Opportunity Cost

Here's something most people don't consider: what else could you do with that money?

What About the "Vacation Value"?

Timeshare salespeople love to argue that you're "saving money on vacations." Let's test that claim.

With $19,817, you could:

• Take 10 week-long vacations at nice hotels ($280/night average)
• Book 20 long weekend getaways at premium properties
• Rent vacation homes on Airbnb or VRBO with more space and flexibility
• Stay at any destination you want, when you want, without blackout dates or availability restrictions

And you wouldn't be locked into the same resort system forever. You'd have complete freedom to vacation wherever and whenever works for you.

The Inheritance Problem

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of timeshare ownership is that many contracts are "in perpetuity"—meaning they can be passed down to your children when you die.

Your kids would inherit not a vacation home, but an endless stream of mandatory payments for a property they never asked for. Many adult children are shocked to learn they've inherited their parents' timeshare debt.

Making the Smart Financial Decision

Once you see the true numbers, the question isn't "Can I afford to exit my timeshare?"

The question is: "Can I afford NOT to?"

Every year you wait is another $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000+ in maintenance fees—money that could be in your savings account, your retirement fund, or your children's education.

If you're feeling trapped by your timeshare, know that options exist. The first step is understanding your specific situation and what exit paths might be available to you.