While the industry has grown more popular, it has come under fire, as owners often struggle to exit their contracts. "I could have retired if I had my money back from this, but I can't retire right now because of this situation that I'm in," said timeshare owner Sheila Wagner. The timeshare industry is valued at more than $10 billion. Some timeshare companies will take back the deed once a buyer has paid off their entire contract, but that is not always an option. Even after the timeshare is fully paid off, the owner is accountable for rising annual maintenance costs.

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Persons: Sheila Wagner, Brian Rogers, Jeff Weir Organizations: American Resort Development Association, Timeshare, Better, Wyndham, Hilton Locations: —