Comparatively speaking there can be a $25 per point (or more) value difference between the extremes of stripped vs loaded depending on the specifics but the sale prices aren't that different, maybe roughly $10 pp. As a seller it's a better deal to rent the points and sell stripped even if it takes a little longer to sell. As a buyer it's often a better deal to buy loaded even at a higher price assuming one can use or rent the points in question. It does appear to be the new norm to a degree, likely for that reason. Unless the prices reflect the true value difference at some point, I suspect we'll see this trend continue.
Since you will be a Florida resident, you will be able to purchase the Florida resident annual passes. Those comparable to the DVC passes are the same price and you will have additional annual options not available to DVC members. You may want to revisit your plan to buy even a small direct contract to be sure the other perks are worth the large premium to buy direct. They wouldn't be to me, but YMMV.
That may account for part of the reason they're not as different as maybe they should be but doesn't change the realities as a new buyer which is that generally a loaded contract is a better deal than a stripped one even at a "higher price". But it does depend on specifics including lead time. IMO it's helpful to understand the extremes to help one understand the nuances of a given contract situation. But there are other factors including how difficult the UY, points package and home resort would be to get but these are often also much higher priced options, mostly VGF, VGC and BCV; all also a much lower value in terms of savings. Some of those factors also apply to BLT and BRV but not to the same degree.
My previous post addresses much of this. IMO it's important to understand what you're getting and NOT getting, esp since maint fees are charged on a calendar year basis so you have to consider future fees into the equation. One can use whatever number they want for value but IMO, the price one could rent those points for through a broker is the floor. The maintenance fees applicable to those points, any fees reimbursed, who pays closing and how much as well as the lead time to use the points all factor into the final "difference". And since we're talking about at most 4 years worth of points but realistically 3 years and eventually you end up at the same place long term, this is a short term financial comparison and one can not reasonably look at the cost over the life of the contract or any longer term after they contracts are the same. There is some minor variability on home resort and fees but I think it's little enough to ignore for most situations. Closing generally would be the same for purposes of this comparison and realistically as well. Thus it's the value of renting 3 years worth of points subtracting the fees reimbursed and the fees paid in the future on those points only plus any applicable taxes as the spread. Potentially as much as $45-48 pp on 3 years if one got the seller to pay next years dues. Realistically assuming the buyer pays all the dues going forward and reimburses (usually overpays) for this years points, that drops to more the in $25 pp range since generally one doesn't have to pay additional dues on the banked points. Obviously there are variables such as lead time till point expiration. And even if one decides not to rent them out, they still have the same inherent value so effectively one is paying the same additional for the stripped contract even if they wouldn't have rented the points.
I think the best way to look at this info is as an evaluation tool, not everyone will get the best deal. However, I feel many new buyers buy too quickly and make poor decisions doing so. Anything that can delay them somewhat and increase their level of knowledge and confidence is a good thing up to a point. IMO that point is around 6 months of active investigation and sufficient online and DVC experience. Trying to buy quickly and get that next trip on points often costs more than the trip itself would done OOP. But it does go to support my point on why resale prices won't tank unless all of WDW does.
We put in an offer in late Feb even though there was a delayed closing of late June.
You'll also have to cover the fees on the points you rented in most situations, esp any that were not already banked going in. And there are income taxes due at marginal rates.
