Does Anyone Do Timeshares Anymore? Shared Ownership in 2025
May, 3 2025
Remember those glossy brochures for vacation condos where you 'only pay for the time you use'? Timeshares sounded like a sweet deal—until folks started swapping horror stories about sky-high fees and locked-in contracts. Fast forward to 2025, and the question is: does anyone even bother with timeshares now?
The way people travel and own vacation property has changed big time. Airbnb and home-swapping are everywhere, vacation clubs are booming, and traditional timeshares have become kind of...well, awkward at parties. But they're not totally extinct. Some people still like the predictability—same place, same week, every year. For others, the fees and restrictions are a deal-breaker.
If you're thinking about shared ownership, or you're just nosey about what happened to all those timeshare sales pitches, it’s worth knowing how the industry works right now. We’ll look at who’s still buying, what to watch for, and how to avoid common traps. You'll be able to spot if a timeshare makes sense for you—or if it's better to ditch the pitch altogether.
- Why People Bought Timeshares in the First Place
- Timeshares in 2025: Are They Still a Thing?
- The Good, the Bad, and the Hidden Fees
- Alternatives: What Are People Doing Instead?
- Tips Before You Buy (or Sell) a Timeshare Today
Why People Bought Timeshares in the First Place
Back in the day, timeshares looked like the ultimate vacation hack. You didn’t have to shell out the big bucks for a second home, but you could still roll into a nice place every year. The whole pitch was simple: lock in a getaway spot, dodge rising hotel prices, and split the cost with a bunch of other people. That was the main appeal right from the 1970s when the first timeshares popped up in places like Florida and Hawaii.
For families who loved routine and familiarity, this was a no-brainer. You knew exactly when and where you’d vacation each year. Resorts sweetened the deal with amenities—think pools, tennis courts, and activities for the kids. Some even tossed in things like discounted local attraction tickets or golf packages.
Then there was the sales pitch: buy now, and your vacation costs never go up. It sounded smart because hotel rates always seemed to climb. And if you ever wanted to swap your spot for somewhere new, the exchange programs let you trade your week for another resort across the globe. For a lot of people, it really felt like more freedom and security all rolled into one deal.
- Shared ownership meant less worry about maintenance—a big plus, since the resort handled repairs, cleaning, and landscaping.
- You paid a one-time buy-in, then annual fees, so no big surprises.
- Swapping with other owners meant you weren’t totally locked into the same place every single year.
If you’re curious about how popular these things actually got, check out the numbers: by the early 2000s, over 1,600 resorts in the U.S. offered timeshares, and millions of Americans held at least one interval. It worked for travelers who liked habit, didn’t want to Airbnb, and loved the idea of having a guaranteed vacation set in stone.
Timeshares in 2025: Are They Still a Thing?
You’d think by now timeshares would be ancient history, but they haven’t vanished—just changed shape. While the old-school pitch of owning a week in Florida still happens, the modern timeshare looks and acts way different than it did in the 90s or even five years ago. Major hotel groups like Marriott, Wyndham, and Hilton are still pushing timeshare programs, except now they call them "vacation clubs." That sounds fancier, but under the hood, it’s often the same idea: pay upfront, plus regular fees, for a slice of access to vacation spots.
The timeshare industry isn’t tiny, either. In 2024, there were around 1,500 timeshare resorts just in the U.S., and the American Resort Development Association reported $10.5 billion in sales last year. Membership-style options have become popular too—you buy points, not fixed weeks, and cash them in for stays at different properties. It's a way for companies to keep things flexible without spooking buyers who don't want to be tied down to one week out of the year.
| Year | U.S. Timeshare Sales (Billion USD) | # of U.S. Timeshare Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | 1,470 |
| 2024 | 10.5 | 1,485 |
Who still buys? It’s not just retirees anymore. Younger families, especially those who like predictability and hate hunting for deals every year, still bite. Digital nomads? Not so much—flexibility is their game, so a fixed shared ownership model doesn’t fit. But as long as there are folks who want guaranteed vacation time, there’s a market.
Still, there’s been a noticeable shift. People are way more skeptical about timeshares, thanks to horror stories from the 2000s and loads of info online. Many buyers now come in with tough questions about fees, exit plans, and what happens if they want to swap destinations. Companies have responded by offering more "exit strategies"—something almost unheard of fifteen years ago.
So yeah, people do still buy timeshares in 2025, but it’s not the hot trend it once was. If you see ads talking about "lifetime vacations" or "hassle-free travel," you’re looking at the modern face of a very old real estate trick.
The Good, the Bad, and the Hidden Fees
Alright, let’s break down what really goes on with timeshares these days—because it’s not all palm trees and margaritas. Some people swear by them, but others feel trapped after the shiny sales pitch fades away. Where do things actually stand in 2025?
First, the good. The big draw of a timeshare is locking in vacation time at a set spot every year. You don’t have to stress about booking a place, and you get some consistency for family getaways. Plus, for some resorts, you can swap your week for another location using networks like RCI or Interval International. If you always dream of taking the kids to Disney or skiing in the Rockies, this kind of predictability can be a win. Some buyers still like the social scene—they get to know their neighbors since everyone comes back every year.
Now for the bad—brace yourself. Most timeshares come with annual maintenance fees, and these have been getting higher. In 2024, the average was around $1,120 per year, even if you never set foot in your unit. Want out? Selling is tough because the resale market is flooded. You might have to pay someone just to take over your contract.
The hidden fees are where things really bite. Upfront, you get hit with closing costs that can run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Down the road, resorts may tack on special assessments for repairs or upgrades, and they aren’t shy about it. Here’s what fees can look like for the average timeshare in 2025:
| Fee Type | Typical Cost (2025) |
|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance Fee | $1,120 |
| Special Assessment | $400–$2,000 (as needed) |
| Exchange Network Fee | $150–$300/year |
| Transfer/Resale Fee | $200–$700 |
Most contracts are hard to break, so you’re on the hook regardless. Some owners find themselves paying for a getaway they don’t even use. And if you fall behind on those maintenance fees, resorts can send the bill to collections. Definitely not part of the dream vacation.
If you go in eyes wide open about the good, the bad, and those sneaky fees, you’ll have a better shot at dodging regrets later.
Alternatives: What Are People Doing Instead?
These days, people have a ton of options if they want a vacation spot but aren’t into old-school timeshares. Let’s be real, most travelers just want something flexible, without feeling stuck in one place or paying for weeks they never use.
The biggest winner? Vacation rentals. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo have exploded, offering everything from cozy cabins to beachfront condos. You can book where you want, when you want, and stay as long (or short) as you like—no long-term contracts, no annual dues haunting your inbox.
Another trend is the rise of fractional ownership. This is different from a regular timeshare because you actually own a slice of the property, not just "time". Companies like Pacaso let groups of buyers split the cost of a luxury home and rotate stays. Sure, it costs more upfront, but you’re building real equity—and you’re not sharing with total strangers.
For folks who love to travel, vacation clubs and travel memberships are pretty popular. These aren’t your grandpa’s clubs. Think access to dozens (sometimes hundreds) of resorts worldwide, often with extra perks thrown in. Brands like Marriott Vacation Club or Inspirato charge membership fees but offer freedom to pick different spots year after year.
There's also good old-fashioned home swapping. Websites like HomeExchange connect people who want to trade houses for vacations. It’s often way cheaper than hotels or timeshares, especially for families or folks who plan to stay a while.
Here’s a quick look at what people are choosing instead of traditional timeshares:
- Short-term rentals: Book a vacation home as needed, with zero long-term commitment
- Fractional ownership: Actually own a piece of a home alongside a small group of buyers
- Travel clubs: Pay membership fees for access to tons of resorts and perks
- Home exchange: Swap homes with someone who wants to travel to your city
Curious about the numbers? Here’s a recent stat: as of 2024, Airbnb had over 7.7 million listings worldwide, dwarfing the timeshare industry’s 200,000 units. That gap keeps growing as people look for more flexible ways to vacation.
Tips Before You Buy (or Sell) a Timeshare Today
If you’re thinking about diving into timeshares in 2025, or maybe trying to get out of one, there are some things you seriously don’t want to miss. This isn’t like picking a vacation rental off Airbnb. Timeshares come with rules, fees, and contracts that can stick for decades—sometimes longer than some marriages.
First, read the fine print. Annual maintenance fees keep climbing—a report last year said the average fee was around $1,120, but in some beachfront spots it’s more like $1,800. Those are charged even if you don’t use your week. Plus, most contracts don’t make it easy to bail. Some tie you in for life, others last 25 to 50 years. Reselling isn’t always a picnic, either.
- Always ask for a breakdown of yearly costs. Find out about special assessments—unexpected charges that pop up for resort repairs or upgrades.
- Don’t get pressured at a sales pitch. Take the paperwork home, look it over, and even show it to a real estate lawyer if you’re not sure what you’re reading.
- If you’re selling, watch out for scam companies that ask for big upfront fees to "help" you unload your timeshare. Legit resellers usually take a commission after the sale, not before.
- Check the exchange and booking flexibility. Are you locked into the same week every year, or can you swap with other owners for different dates or locations? Flexibility matters a lot, especially with everyone’s busy schedules now.
- Use public forums and online review sites. Real owners often share updates on resorts, resale value, and how management handles things like repairs or schedule changes.
Here's a quick snapshot of common timeshare costs in 2025 to keep in mind:
| Fee Type | 2025 Average |
|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance Fee | $1,120 |
| Special Assessment (when needed) | $500 - $2,500 |
| Exchange Program Fee | $179/year |
| Resale Listing Fee (if applicable) | $0 - $500 upfront or 8-15% commission upon sale |
If you’re not sure about a shared ownership home, compare the yearly costs and flexibility against just booking your vacations directly. You might find peace of mind is worth more than a “guaranteed” week in the sun.