Before You Sign: Questions to Ask First
Signing a vacation ownership contract is a long-term financial commitment. The annual fees alone — not the purchase price — represent the majority of the total cost over the life of the contract. These are the questions and documents worth reviewing before you commit.
Get the full cost in writing
Ask for the current annual maintenance fee and the fee history for the past five years. Annual fees typically increase over time. A fee that is affordable today may not be in ten years. Calculate the total fees over your remaining term and compare it against the cost of booking equivalent accommodation independently.
Understand what you are buying
Confirm whether you are buying a deeded interest, a right-to-use licence, or a points-based membership. Each has different implications for inheritance, transfer, and what you own when the contract ends. Ask what happens to your entitlements when the club's underlying property or management changes.
Cooling-off period
Ask the sales representative to show you your cooling-off rights in writing before you sign. In most APAC jurisdictions you have a statutory period — typically five to ten business days — during which you can cancel for any reason without penalty. Do not be told otherwise.
Resale and exit
Ask specifically: what options exist if you want to exit this contract in five years? Ask for evidence of completed resales — not just a policy statement. A club that cannot demonstrate a functioning resale or surrender pathway creates a long-term obligation with no clear exit.
What to take away
Before leaving the presentation: get a copy of the full contract, the fee schedule, the club rules document, and the contact details of the developer's legal department. Review everything outside the resort environment, ideally with a lawyer or financial adviser, before your cooling-off period expires.