Contemplating a DVC Resort Swap

[DVC Sue]

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this -

We've been thinking about selling our 300 VWL points and buying some BLT. I know that we would end up with fewer BLT points because they are more expensive. We bought VWL for $50 so we would actually have a profit.

We just don't like staying at VWL anymore. We aren't crazy about BLT theming but the location is excellent. We have been able to trade into BLT but only SOME of the time.

What do you all think? From a financial standpoint, does it make sense? What about emotionally? I'd love to hear the pros and cons.

Thanks.

 

[browniemtb]

Question is, will it be worth it to swap Home Resorts and have to pay a lot more to do so? Even with a profit on the sale of your VWL points you will still have to put a lot more cash down. I guess if it were me I would accept getting into BLT some of the time and own VWL rather then all the time and paying more....good luck on your decision.

 

[drusba]

I am not sure you would have a profit after all costs including broker commissions. In any event, you will have those costs. Nevertheless, it can possibly make sense if you really want out of VWL and you want one or more of the following: (a) a much longer time to expiration (2042 for VWL, 2060 for BLT); (b) you want to stay at BLT and get standard view (difficult for non-owners to get almost any time of year); or (c) you want BLT between end of Sep and Marathon weekend in Jan (DVC's highest demand quarter during which it can often be difficult to get even lake view at BLT at 7 months out). You would also have lower annual dues per point, at least currently. However, those are all possibly valid reasons to change if you are going to do the required investment to keep your self at 300 points. That is where I question the decison because I could not think of brining myself to having fewer points.

 

[DVC Sue]

Thanks for the input. You're making the arguments I want to hear. I don't NEED to own at BLT and I do own the VWL points outright. I have gotten into BLT MOST times and I don't care what the view is.

You're also right about the brokers' fees. I hadn't considered that. I think the only 2 arguments for making the swap are:
1. I WANT to own at BLT
2. The longer contract

 

[Syndrome]

Just some food for thought ............ There is a rehab planned for VWL this year and the rooms look a lot better. Not as dark, a lot less plaid and a little less woodsy . The studios are also rumored to get an extra bed. Most think it will be a Murphy style like at VGF and VGC .

 

[DVC Sue]

Just some food for thought ............ There is a rehab planned for VWL this year and the rooms look a lot better. Not as dark, a lot less plaid and a little less woodsy . The studios are also rumored to get an extra bed. Most think it will be a Murphy style like at VGF and VGC .

Yes, that would be nice too. I think I'm leaning toward keeping the VWL points. The point about the brokers' fees really helped. Ah well, maybe I can buy some BLT points when I hit the lottery!

Thanks everyone.

 

[Syndrome]

Yes, that would be nice too. I think I'm leaning toward keeping the VWL points. The point about the brokers' fees really helped. Ah well, maybe I can buy some BLT points when I hit the lottery!

Thanks everyone.

Here is a pic of what the new rooms should look like. (not mine, thanks to DVC Mike). Top row is before, bottom is after the refurb. Looks pretty nice, I hope they are done before our stay in December !

http://i235.*************************************image-12.jpg

 

[SugarLoaf]

We did the same thing...sort of. Only we swapped out of BLT for VGF. And it was the best thing we ever did.

IMO, nothing compares to owning at your favorite place. I feel better about it from every aspect. And it was so worth the extra money to me. Everything about it makes me feel better. Even paying your dues feels better! There is, at least in my case, a huge value placed on how I feel about where I own. And the feeling of always knowing we can stay at our favorite place.

My main caution would be that you make sure (like SURE sure lol) BLT really is your favorite place. As you obviously don't want to make it a recurring thing of trading out, since it is quite expensive to do. (especially for us as we needed many more points at VGF than BLT) For example you say you're not too fond of the theming at BLT. Just be sure that isn't too important to you. And there isn't someplace else (either already built, or on the horizon) you would prefer to call home.

Our decision though was really an easy one. We almost never purchased DVC in the first place because there wasn't one at the GF at the time we wanted to buy. GF was where we had always stayed as long as I can remember, and it was really special to us and where we felt most at home. Anyway, we did because at the time we weren't sure there would ever be one there, and we wanted the villa accommodations since our extended family had grown and we had littles ones now and we always vacation together. Plus we figured we could always sell later if there ever was one at GF. I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone here, but It made the biggest difference having a central place we could all be, vs. being tucked off in our separate hotel rooms with no common area.

We had some amazing vacations at BLT, and I don't regret buying in there initially, or especially, swapping out!

Lots of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[DVC Sue]

Syndrome,
Thanks for the pics. THey do like nice.

Sugarloaf,
Thanks for your input. I agree that owning at DVC is emotional in large part. I'm going to look at the BLT charts and see how many points I would need for my vacations. Then, I'm going to estimate how many BLT points I could buy with a VWL sale. I guess it wouldn't make sense if I wouldn't have enough points for my vacations.

Thanks everyone!

 

[paults]

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this -

We've been thinking about selling our 300 VWL points and buying some BLT. I know that we would end up with fewer BLT points because they are more expensive. We bought VWL for $50 so we would actually have a profit.

We just don't like staying at VWL anymore. We aren't crazy about BLT theming but the location is excellent. We have been able to trade into BLT but only SOME of the time.

What do you all think? From a financial standpoint, does it make sense? What about emotionally? I'd love to hear the pros and cons.

Thanks.

If all your 300 pts are in one contract that could also hold you up. Large contracts are a little harder to sell. Good luck

 

[SugarLoaf]

If all your 300 pts are in one contract that could also hold you up. Large contracts are a little harder to sell. Good luck

Good point!

I will say however, we sold both of ours without much trouble. And at a good price. But they definitely don't go as quickly as smaller ones.

I think our process from listing to accepting an offer for both, total, took a little over two months. One we sold a lot faster than the other. The first one only took a few weeks. I wasn't at all experienced with selling before, but I didn't think that seemed too bad, considering the size of the contracts.

 

[LisaS]

Just some food for thought ............ There is a rehab planned for VWL this year and the rooms look a lot better. Not as dark, a lot less plaid and a little less woodsy . The studios are also rumored to get an extra bed. Most think it will be a Murphy style like at VGF and VGC .

Personally we bought VWL because of the dark reds and greens and the rustic, woodsy feel. I'm disappointed that the planned rehab is getting rid of what makes VWL feel like a wilderness lodge.

 

[bwvBound]

Personally we bought VWL because of the dark reds and greens and the rustic, woodsy feel. I'm disappointed that the planned rehab is getting rid of what makes VWL feel like a wilderness lodge.

While we don't own VWL, we feel the same regarding the refurb. I like the "before" shots better than the "after" for this location. The "after" impress me as a watered-down South Western theme appropriate for, but not fully committed to, New Mexico?

 

[a742246]

Other questions you may ask yourself before deciding on a swap....

Do you have too many points now?
Are the MF manageable?
Does your use year work out for you?
What time of year do you travel to WDW?
Do you see yourself going to WDW after 2042?
Does the 7-11 month window mean anything to you?
What is your favorite resort?

There are probably more questions you can ask yourself to see if a swap makes sense. Wish you luck!

 

[TeresaNJ]

Personally we bought VWL because of the dark reds and greens and the rustic, woodsy feel. I'm disappointed that the planned rehab is getting rid of what makes VWL feel like a wilderness lodge.

I'm with you. The "after" pics make me sad.

 

[DisneyDiana]

I agree with not liking the after pics. The new pics have more of a "could be anywhere" theme.

 

[Dean]

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this -

We've been thinking about selling our 300 VWL points and buying some BLT. I know that we would end up with fewer BLT points because they are more expensive. We bought VWL for $50 so we would actually have a profit.

We just don't like staying at VWL anymore. We aren't crazy about BLT theming but the location is excellent. We have been able to trade into BLT but only SOME of the time.

What do you all think? From a financial standpoint, does it make sense? What about emotionally? I'd love to hear the pros and cons.

Thanks.

It is a sell and rebut, not a trade so commission plus spread are losses. It's only profit if you take the points. This is almost always a bad idea with the few exceptions being if you're downsizing a lot or going from higher demand to lower. If simply looking to get the 11 month window for some trips, doing a smaller add on using the dollars you'd lose is almost always the best option.