An article in June 2025, in The New York Times, “My Timeshare Is an Albatross. How Do I Get Rid of It?”, examined growing frustrations of timeshare owners attempting to sell or exit their contracts. It’s a widespread problem as these vacation properties lose value and impose rising fees every year. Timeshares, marketed initially as a way to secure long-term vacation access at a locked-in price, often become financial burdens. Buyers don’t realize they are making a lifetime commitment and agreeing to pay maintenance fees and property taxes that continue to increase annually. For many, these fees become a liability.
Additionally, owners are frequently unable to resell because there is little to no secondary market demand, and maintenance fees, along with property taxes, continue year after year regardless of usage.
Getting Nowhere with Timeshare Exit Companies, Attorneys
The NYT article features real owner experiences, including that of a Tennessee timeshare owner, to illustrate how difficult and costly divestment can be. It highlights the fact that traditional resale strategies, listing with brokers or trying to rent the weeks, rarely work and can leave owners stuck with a depreciating asset.
Making matters even worse, timeshare exit companies and lawyers advertise solutions but often provide little actual assistance, cost a great deal of money, and, in some cases, have been accused of predatory practices and scams. The NYT article urges caution when considering these services and recommends reporting fraudulent actors to the Better Business Bureau, state attorneys general, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
One solution is to contact the original timeshare developer to see if you can get an internal exit or deed-back program.
