How to Sell a Timeshare without a Broker
If you own a timeshare and have decided that you no longer want it, how can you sell it for the most money without having to pay too many fees?
Most real estate agents know nothing about timeshares and given that the sales price is much less than a regular property, they usually charge between 30 to 40% of the sales price as a commission. This makes it very difficult for a timeshare owner to sell and avoid losing money much less trying to make some money from this investment.
The good news is that you do have a more affordable alternative. There are several reputable timeshare listing or services companies that can help you sell a timeshare yourself. These companies leverage the market reach of the Internet and for one low price, allow you to use their resources and reach to list and market your timeshare.
It is well known that those looking to buy timeshares search the Internet for information. These timeshare companies know this and have optimizes their websites to find these buyers when they are looking for timeshares. They have a lot more professional and useful information for both buyers and sellers because they specialize in this area. Brokers do not come close to these companies when it comes to attracting the most buyers.
These non-broker services also have a lot of data about timeshares in the United State so they can help you to determine the best price. Sadly, brokers will try to charge you $400 for an appraisal as part of their process. This is just not necessary.
With a broker, you run the risk that he will not market your timeshare as much as it needs to be marketed in order to find a good buyer. When you sell yourself, you can leverage the expertise of a listing and services company and decide when and where to market. Or, they can handle the marketing for you for an affordable fee. In this case, you will know exactly what they are doing and can choose how much marketing you want.
For some people who want the process of selling a timeshare to be turnkey there are flat fee turnkey services out there. So, for most people, hiring a broker at expensive prices just is not a good value. However, the benefit of a broker is that you get a dedicated person to handle every detail. This can be a pitfall in disguise. You need to be sure you choose a timeshare specialist and one who does not add other fees to the process. You can also negotiate the commission to something more reasonable. All you have to do is ask and discuss it. Stay away from the brokers at your property because they will be motivated to sell new timeshares before old ones.