Free airline tickets may be tied to the purchase of expensive hotel accommodations. In addition, buyers may be responsible for major repairs. This is because the income generated by annual maintenance fees may be more valuable than the member s title to real estate. Timeshare owners who discontinue to use the resort facilities must continue to pay their annual maintenance fees and any special assessments. If the member refuses to pay annual dues, the condominium association may sue and recover back dues, interest, and attorney fees.
Some members say they feel trapped for life.
The Federal Trade Commission found only 3.3 percent of owners reported reselling their timeshares during the last 20 years. You may face competition from the original seller. Or local real estate agents may not want to include the timeshare unit in their listings. Some resorts have a resale office to try to assist the owners of unwanted timeshares. In addition, some resorts will allow an unhappy timeshare owner to give back their interest in the resort, but rarely will a resort guarantee that they will buy it back.