Almost 10 million U.S. households own a timeshare, whether it’s deeded, points-based, fractional ownership, or a private club membership. If your interest rate is high, or your loan is becoming hard to manage, you may wonder if you can refinance your timeshare.
In most cases, you’ll need a personal loan to refinance a timeshare, because timeshare loans don’t qualify as traditional mortgages. Below, you’ll find the top lenders to consider, how the process works, and whether refinancing is the right move, or if a timeshare exit company may be a better fit.
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Can you refinance a timeshare loan?
Short answer: Yes, but only with a personal loan.
Timeshare loans don’t meet federal mortgage guidelines, so traditional mortgage lenders and banks typically won’t refinance them, even if the timeshare is “deeded.”
That means your best (and usually only) option is to take out a personal loan and use the funds to pay off the existing timeshare balance.
You may consider refinancing if:
- Your original interest rate is high
- You want fixed payments
- You qualify for a lower rate with a personal loan
- You want a clearer payoff timeline
If your credit score has improved since you purchased your timeshare, refinancing could save you money and simplify repayment.
Best lenders to refinance a timeshare loan
The lenders below offer personal loans you can use for timeshare refinancing. Most let you check your rate with no hard credit check, making it easier to compare offers quickly.
Credible
Best Marketplace
Why Credible is one of the best
Credible lets you compare prequalified offers from multiple lenders with one quick form. There’s no fee to use the marketplace, and checking your rates won’t affect your credit.
It’s a strong starting point if you want to confirm which lenders will approve you (and at what rate) before applying.
- Compare loans from multiple curated lenders
- Get prequalified loan offers in as little as 2 minutes
- Get funded within a few business days
- Origination fee of up to 12%
- No option to apply for joint loans
| Rates (APR) | 6.99% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – $200,000 |
| Repayment terms | 1 – 10 years |
Upstart
Best for Thin or Limited Credit
Why Upstart is one of the best
Upstart is a strong option if your credit file is thin, you’re building credit, or your score doesn’t meet traditional lender cutoffs. It looks beyond your credit report to factors such as education and work history when evaluating applications, which opens the door for borrowers who may not qualify elsewhere.
- Funding is available as soon as the next business day
- Borrowers with little to no credit history can still get approved
- No prepayment penalty if you pay your loan off early
- Origination fee of up to 12%
- Limited repayment term options
| Rates (APR) | 7.80% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – $75,000 |
| Repayment terms | 3 or 5 years |
Upgrade
Best for Fair Credit
Why Upgrade is one of the best
Upgrade is a popular option for borrowers with FICO scores around 580 to 669. It offers broad eligibility, clear terms, and online tools to help you manage payments. If your credit isn’t perfect, Upgrade may be one of the more accessible refinancing options.
- Choose your monthly payment and loan term
- Joint applications accepted
- Loan funds may be available in as little as 1 day
- Smaller loan maximum limit
- 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee
| Rates (APR) | 8.49% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – $50,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 7 years |
LightStream
Best for Excellent Credit
Why LightStream is one of the best
LightStream offers some of the lowest personal loan rates on the market for credit scores 740+. There are no origination, prepayment, or late fees, and its Rate Beat Program may lower your rate further if you find a qualifying competitor offer.
LightStream doesn’t allow prequalification with a soft credit check, so it’s best for borrowers who are confident they’ll be approved.
- Rate match guarantee ensures that you get the best rate possible
- Same-day funding may be available
- Take advantage of a longer repayment term if you need lower payments
- No option to prequalify or check rates with a soft credit pull
| Rates (APR) | 7.49% – 25.49% |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $100,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 12 years |
How to refinance your timeshare loan
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Check your credit. A quick look at your credit score and credit report helps clarify your chances of approval.
- Prequalify with several lenders. Most personal loan lenders display your estimated rate, amount, and term without a hard credit check. (LightStream is an exception.)
- Compare loan offers. Pay attention to APR, loan amount, term length, fees, and monthly payment.
- Submit your full application. This usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes and may require income and identity verification.
- Get approved. Some lenders approve borrowers instantly; others take one to three days.
- Receive your funds. Depending on the lender, you may receive money the same day or within a few days.
- Pay off your timeshare lender. Use the new funds to pay off the existing loan. Keep making payments until your timeshare balance is confirmed as fully paid.
- Start repaying your new loan. Most personal loans begin repayment about 30 days after funding.
If you qualify, the whole process can move quickly, sometimes within 24 hours.
Refinancing a timeshare loan vs. exiting your timeshare
Refinancing helps when:
- You like your timeshare and simply want better loan terms
- Your interest rate is high
- Your credit score has improved
- You want predictable monthly payments
Refinancing does not fix:
- Rising maintenance fees
- Upsells or contract complexity
- The difficulty of reselling a timeshare
- Unwanted lifetime obligations
If your financial struggle is tied to owning the timeshare itself, not just the loan, you may want to consider a reputable exit company.
Advertisement
Timeshare Exit Done Right
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- No “strategic default” – exit legally
- No upfront fees
- Free case review
- Over 20 years of relevant legal expertise
- 1000’s of successful timeshare cancellations
When exit makes more sense than refinancing
- You no longer want the timeshare
- Your loan balance is small, but maintenance fees are overwhelming
- You’ve tried to sell it unsuccessfully
- You want to remove future financial obligations
Our timeshare exit recommendation
If you decide working with a timeshare exit company is right for you, we recommend choosing a firm with no upfront fees and a clear, legal pathway to exit, not strategic default.
The Stonegate Firm is our favorite option because it explicitly never recommends strategic default, focuses on legal exit methods, and has deep experience across major resort systems.
Alternatives to refinancing a timeshare loan
Home equity loan
A home equity loan provides a lump sum at a fixed rate. If you know your exact payoff amount and have enough equity, this can be a predictable way to refinance your timeshare. However, it puts your home at risk.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
A HELOC offers flexible access to home equity with a variable interest rate. You pay interest only on what you borrow. It may be a fit if you expect to use the line of credit for other expenses as well.
Credit card or 0% APR balance transfer
Most credit cards have high APRs, but a 0% APR promotion could help if you can pay the balance off quickly. Be prepared for significantly higher interest rates once the promo period ends.
FAQ
What credit score do I need to refinance a timeshare loan?
Most personal loan lenders look for scores above 580, but the best rates go to borrowers with scores of 670+.
Can a bank refinance a timeshare loan?
Generally, no. Banks and credit unions rarely refinance timeshares because they don’t qualify as real estate-secured loans.
Is refinancing a timeshare loan a good idea?
It can be, especially if your interest rate is high or your credit has improved. If your goal is to get out of the timeshare, refinancing won’t solve that problem.
Can I refinance a timeshare mortgage?
Yes. Even if it’s considered a “mortgage” by the resort, it’s not a traditional mortgage. You’ll still need a personal loan.
About our contributors
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Written by Alene LaneyAlene Laney is a personal finance writer specializing in mortgages, home equity, and consumer financial products. A credit card rewards enthusiast and mother of five, Alene enjoys sharing money-saving and money-making strategies.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.
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Reviewed by Kyle Ryan, CFP®Kyle Ryan, CFP®, ChFC®, is a co-owner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. He provides his clients with financial products and services, always with his clients' individual needs foremost in his mind.