Doing my DVC homework-HELP!

[tigertamm]

Wanting to buy into the DVC and need help making some decisions.
What I know I want: Travel times-end of May and early June-yearly to every other year trip for a family of four that may occasionally bring family or friends. We want access at that time to BC or BW, but also love WL and AKL. We do not have to go in 2008, but will want to go in 2009 for sure. Minimum total points purchased 170 but no more than 215. (170=2BR at BC or BW)
Here is my ideal distribution: 65 pts at BC or BW/65 points at WL/and 55 points at AKL-with a Feb or March use year.

Ok, may be hard to get that...so here are my questions:
1-What about the 15 years lost if you buy older resorts-should I make that a deciding factor?
2-What if it doesn't work out and I have to sell-is the resale value better in the older/smaller resorts like BC or BW or WL?
3-Should dues matter? My rep at DVC-Marshall Sutton said the dues at AKL may go up faster because of the upkeep of the animals. He thought my best bet was SS. I do not prefer SS, so I am considering resale of the resorts I like and am scared of the dues at AKL on the 160 pt minimum.
4-If I did buy AKL or SS for the years gained, what are my chances of getting BC or BW or WL when I want them in May/June? (now and future)
5-What about stripped resales-I have a hold on a 119 pt resale at WL, but I found out it has only 60 points left for 08 and 119 in 09. Is that a good deal at $86 per point. I am second guessing again. If I get it-I would hold out for 65points at BC or BW to secure some time there.

What would you do? Thanks! Tigertamm

 

[nderh2o]

First things first...
DVC CMs are sale people that want to get you to purchase what they are selling. No matter how nice they seem, they are not your friends. You should judge them by the level of service they provide during the purchase process. They can make all kinds of statements starting with probably, maybe, could, might, most likely, and any other non-committal word. In doing this they are avoiding absolutes and, as such, can always say that they never guaranteed you anything with regards to future dues, availability, etc - because they can't.

As far as SSR, buy where you want to stay. If you think you won't like SSR, then you probably wont. I am sure that there are incentives that are encouraging the CMs to sell out SSR so that the resort is finished. Lets face it, DVC wants to finish that resort so they can move onto others. And, right now, AKL is selling itself.

As for splitting points up in as many places as you are proposing, unless you want to split up long stays by moving from one resort to another, I would just buy the points at one resort - where you want to stay (this is especially true for June). Availability for BWV, BC, VWL is tight for June. The 11 month window will be important. AKL is near impossible to book at the 7 month window just because of the limited number of units available - I suspect this will improve as time goes by. Remember, you can only book the number of points at 11 months that are associated with that home resort. You can't combine small contracts at 3 resorts to book at 11 months at any 1 resort.

Now, resale values seem to be higher at BWV, BCV, and to a lesser extent VWL even with the shorter contract length.

Bottom line...
1. DVC CMs are not bad people - they have a job to sell you a product. That is how they make money. They are not going to lie to you but they may steer you in one direction or another based upon incentives available to them. Do your research and ask questions.
2. Buy where you want to stay.
3. Buy where you want to stay.
4. Buy where you want to stay.

 

[tigertamm]

Thanks nderh2o.

I am a salesperson myself, so I do understand my "friends" position on the sale, but thanks for the heads up. Also, my "split decision" is based on a 5 day stay at BW, BC, or WL for the end of May/first of June timeframe at 65 points. So it would work for the 11 month deal.

Look back at my 1-5 questions-any thoughts. Thanks again.

 

[TTFN!]

Wanting to buy into the DVC and need help making some decisions.
What I know I want: Travel times-end of May and early June-yearly to every other year trip for a family of four that may occasionally bring family or friends. We want access at that time to BC or BW, but also love WL and AKL. We do not have to go in 2008, but will want to go in 2009 for sure. Minimum total points purchased 170 but no more than 215. (170=2BR at BC or BW)
Here is my ideal distribution: 65 pts at BC or BW/65 points at WL/and 55 points at AKL-with a Feb or March use year.

Ok, may be hard to get that...so here are my questions:
1-What about the 15 years lost if you buy older resorts-should I make that a deciding factor? DVD is rumored to be about to offer 15 year extentions at OKW, the other resorts may be next, they may not.....

2-What if it doesn't work out and I have to sell-is the resale value better in the older/smaller resorts like BC or BW or WL? BCV/BWV & VWL currently have a higher resale price. No one is sure where AKV will fit in. I expect it will be higher because of the longer contract life (currently) better point values for larger rooms (in the soon to be built Kidani Village - extra bathroom, one extra person do to recliner sleeper....) Also if you buy multiple smaller contracts, they tend to sell for much higher $ per point!

3-Should dues matter? My rep at DVC-Marshall Sutton said the dues at AKL may go up faster because of the upkeep of the animals. He thought my best bet was SS. I do not prefer SS, so I am considering resale of the resorts I like and am scared of the dues at AKL on the 160 pt minimum. Yes dues do matter. Over 50 years you will pay anywhere from 2 to 3 times the cost of initially buying points!

4-If I did buy AKL or SS for the years gained, what are my chances of getting BC or BW or WL when I want them in May/June? (now and future) I don't know what the future holds. Certain room types may be impossible (BWV GV, there are only 6, Standard View Rooms at BWV). May should be easier do to school schedules for Owners with school aged children....

5-What about stripped resales-I have a hold on a 119 pt resale at WL, but I found out it has only 60 points left for 08 and 119 in 09. Is that a good deal at $86 per point. I am second guessing again. If I get it-I would hold out for 65points at BC or BW to secure some time there. I like points in my contract. You could always rent them out at $12.00 a point to lower your initial cost. Otherwise, make sure the seller pays the Maintenance fees on the used points, otherwise, your giving them an extra $4-5 per point!

What would you do? Thanks! Tigertamm

Also, I like your split purchase. Buy 85 points at 2 differerent resorts (AKV and BCV?). With Banking and borrowing, you could have up to 255 points at each resort (every three years for use during one use year) to have the 11 month booking window. If you book after 7 months a point is a point is a point.

I agree with the other poster who stated to BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY!

 

[tigertamm]

Wow, Nice reply TTFN.

I like the idea of renting out points to get your initial cost down. Ok, I am looking at a couple more properties now. The thing that everyone seems unanimous on is "buy where you want to stay." So if you ignore all other details.... I want to stay at BC or BW so.... here are some options:

1-BC 150 points-300 current and 150 on 3-1-08
don't need 150 that are banked from 06-rent? Do you rent all 150 to one person or can you split it up? The initial cost is high-$98 but if they rent, it would bring the cost down.

2-BW 180 points- 180 current to be banked and 180 3/1/08 at $83

I have never stayed at either resort, but love the location. I hear the pool at the BC is spectacular, but not sure it is worth the extra initial cost.

Any thoughts? Chime in with other opinions. TT

 

[mikesmom]

I like the idea of renting out points to get your initial cost down. Ok, I am looking at a couple more properties now. The thing that everyone seems unanimous on is "buy where you want to stay." So if you ignore all other details.... I want to stay at BC or BW so.... here are some options:

1-BC 150 points-300 current and 150 on 3-1-08
don't need 150 that are banked from 06-rent? Do you rent all 150 to one person or can you split it up? The initial cost is high-$98 but if they rent, it would bring the cost down.

Renting is not as easy as some people make it out to be. There have to be ressies available when people want them and there will always be folks who want to lowball your deal. You don't have to take it, but it can be annoying when all you want to do is unload some points and go on. Particularly, watch out for those pints banked from 2006. You would have to use them in the 2007 year or lose them. I don't know what your use year is on that contract, but thye could be pretty hard to use. For instance, if the use year is February, you have until Feb 1 to use , rent or lose. DVC is virtually sold out through the first week of January except for days here and there. Unless you want to travel mid through end of January, you would have a real challenge using the points.

 

[TTFN!]

Renting is not as easy as some people make it out to be. There have to be ressies available when people want them and there will always be folks who want to lowball your deal. You don't have to take it, but it can be annoying when all you want to do is unload some points and go on. Particularly, watch out for those pints banked from 2006. You would have to use them in the 2007 year or lose them. I don't know what your use year is on that contract, but thye could be pretty hard to use. For instance, if the use year is February, you have until Feb 1 to use , rent or lose. DVC is virtually sold out through the first week of January except for days here and there. Unless you want to travel mid through end of January, you would have a real challenge using the points.

Have you ever actually rented?

It seems the people who state how hard renting is, have never tried, or have done it once.

If renting was/were/is so hard, why is the DVC cracking down on 'Commercial Renting'? Do commercial renters know more than we do? Is it a special gift?

There are many people regularily renting their points out for $14.00 each, with no problem. In fact I believe their is a guy (baned from here) that has a website where you can request your dates, and book over the web.

Don't let a nay sayer psych you out, renting is both easy and profitable!

 

[mikesmom]

Have you ever actually rented?

It seems the people who state how hard renting is, have never tried, or have done it once.

If renting was/were/is so hard, why is the DVC cracking down on 'Commercial Renting'? Do commercial renters know more than we do? Is it a special gift?

There are many people regularily renting their points out for $14.00 each, with no problem. In fact I believe their is a guy (baned from here) that has a website where you can request your dates, and book over the web.

Don't let a nay sayer psych you out, renting is both easy and profitable!

Actually, I have. If you are a commercial renter, have a system, and are able to invest the time because it is your business, than I expect it's not that difficult.

If, as I am, you are a regular owner, with a day job, who occassionally gets caught short with a cancellation because of illness or frineds/family cancellation, or even just want to free up the cash one year for another purpose, it is NOT that easy. There is time involved dealing with "shoppers" that just want to get a room on property cheaper than the Kissimmee Holiday Inn, there are many requests from people who want you to check various dates (all of which takes time), There are folks who will use you to check dates, get a price, and then take your info to get a better price from someone else, - I could go on, but I won't. There are also lovely people who are a pleasure to deal with (and I have rented to them), but as the saying goes "you've got to kiss a lot of frogs..."

It is a large investment in time and trouble that you may or may not make back. Don't buy points with the intent to rent them out or even the feeling that renting will bail you out - it may not work out.

 

[TTFN!]

Actually, I have. If you are a commercial renter, have a system, and are able to invest the time because it is your business, than I expect it's not that difficult.

If, as I am, you are a regular owner, with a day job, who occassionally gets caught short with a cancellation because of illness or frineds/family cancellation, or even just want to free up the cash one year for another purpose, it is NOT that easy. There is time involved dealing with "shoppers" that just want to get a room on property cheaper than the Kissimmee Holiday Inn, there are many requests from people who want you to check various dates (all of which takes time), There are folks who will use you to check dates, get a price, and then take your info to get a better price from someone else, - I could go on, but I won't. There are also lovely people who are a pleasure to deal with (and I have rented to them), but as the saying goes "you've got to kiss a lot of frogs..."

It is a large investment in time and trouble that you may or may not make back. Don't buy points with the intent to rent them out or even the feeling that renting will bail you out - it may not work out.

While I am not a commercial renter, I am an engineer by training, and a simple, logical system makes it much easier than you have experienced. The very short version, it is much easier to 'cherry pick' a good 'reservation wanted' thread, check-out availability and reply to that one person, than it is to put up a 'points for rent' thread and get inundated in the manner you experienced. Other common sense actions make renting very easy and hassle-free for the 'occassional' renter.

Of course if you allowed your points to become distressed, then the stress level will rise.

Back to the OP, just 2 very different takes on the 'work' necessary to rent. I find it easy, quick and financially worthwhile, you may or may not feel the same way.

 

[tigertamm]

As with everything I have checked on through discussion forums there are various opinions... ex: One person loves the WL, another thinks its old and dark....Helps to hear both sides of the story and chew on it awhile. A short while....Still not sure what to do-but getting closer to a decision. Thanks!

 

[DVC Mike]

Here is my ideal distribution: 65 pts at BC or BW/65 points at WL/and 55 points at AKL-with a Feb or March use year.

Hey, those are all great home resorts to have!

 

[tigertamm]

Mike,

Looks like you've been around the DVC block a bit. Since my "ideal" is unlikely. Tell me about your favorite and why and also any info related to my original post would help. thanks!

 

[DVC Mike]

Tell me about your favorite and why and also any info related to my original post would help. thanks!

If you're young, you may want to consider only the new resorts, since the contracts are longer than the older resorts. DVC is apparently offering extensions on OKW, but we don't know if they'll do that on the other resorts.

What are your favorite parks to visit? What types of look and feel / theming do you prefer?

We love VWL because it's a peaceful boat ride to the MK, and it's a beatifully-themed resort.

We love BCV and BWV because they're close to Epcot. BCV has Stormalong Bay and both have the Boardwalk.

We were blown away by the look of the AKV rooms, and the chance to gaze at the animals on the Savannah. It is a bit out of the way.

OKW is the oldest DVC resort, but it has the largest rooms. SSR is one of the newest. Both are too large for me, and offer more subdued theming. I prefer the DVC resorts that are connected to the deluxe resorts.

Everyone has their own opinion. This one's mine!

 

[tigertamm]

I am a young 39 and holding. I do like the peacefulness of WL, but my girls would probably love the action of the BW and the walk to Epcot/MGM would be nice. I love the extra years, grand entrance of AKL, and theming-but the animals are no biggie for us and the location is not ideal. We love all the parks, but start and finish our stays with MK-have the best time at MGM, are starting to appreciate Epcot the older the girls get, and AK is growing closer to hearts each year.

I guess I just see the girls really enjoying the Boardwalk/Beach Club area-I see my DH and I loving the WL in our "old age" and the AK-man we will be old and grey or dead and gone before we finish using our years there.

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[JimC]

Check out more of the threads on this forum. Such as:

These are three great threads on what we like, or not, about the various resorts and how to get started:

Factual List of Home Resort Pros and Cons

Rate Your Favorite DVC Resort

Advice for Prospective DVC Buyers

 

[JimMIA]

My rep at DVC-Marshall Sutton said the dues at AKL may go up faster because of the upkeep of the animals. He thought my best bet was SS. I do not prefer SS, so I am considering resale of the resorts I like and am scared of the dues at AKL on the 160 pt minimum.

Do dues matter -- yes. They will total much more than your purchase price.

But please! With all due respect to your guide, this is BS...or more likely lion scat. Sounds to me like DVC has some special incentives on for their guides to sell the rest of SSR!

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with the other poster who stated to BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY!

Better advice might be "Don't buy where you DON'T want to stay."

If you read the "Advice to..." thread that JimC linked for you, you'll see a decent (I wrote it ) explanation of what I think the rationale is for "Buy where you want to stay." That's great advice for a lot of people, but it depends on your personal situation, and your ability to take advantage of home resort booking advantage.

If you can't do that, as another very wise poster once wrote: "If you book after 7 months a point is a point is a point."

 

[tigertamm]

Woo Hoo! More info. Thanks!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Better advice might be "Don't buy where you DON'T want to stay." ...........................................................
.......:"If you book after 7 months a point is a point is a point."

ITA! For DH and me, we're fine staying at any of our 2nd or 3rd or 4th (or 5th ) choices, as long as we're in WDW!
So far, though, we've always been able to get one of our home resorts (if we want it) at 6 or 7 months.
The only time I use the 11-month window is if I want a very specific reservation (view, point category, or location for F & W), and then I happily do a day-by-day reservation!

 

[tigertamm]

Thanks for all of the insight. I went round and round and finally decided that I am over analyzing the whole thing! DH helped me clear my mind and do the simple thing-which is to buy 160 points at Saratoga Springs (lower dues +longer years) and 65 points at AKV (cool place + even longer years) I decided that the 7 month window will probably work out at the BC or BW during my normal disney vacation time if I waitlist or do it day by day when the 7 month window opens. The split points was to ensure I didn't 1-buy too many points (I know...you can never have too many points) at one time and can sell off a smaller amount if necessary in the future and 2-ensure some time at AKV. I went through the DVC not resale because they are 1-quicker 2-Take Amex 3-can book now (even without finishing the process) and 4-it felt right (gave our guide our word). So my prayers are answered-no more stress and only good thoughts of future vacations at my favorite place in the World! THanks Again.