Finally jumping in!

[MommaBerd]

After probably 7 years of reading and researching, we have reached a point where we can comfortably afford to buy! How I wish we could have done this even a year ago, given the current resale market, but that’s not really productive. I’m incredibly thankful we are where we are today!

We are going to try for BCV, despite the math. My second choice would be BLT. We have a big-ish family, so we’ll need a 2BR for most of our trips. Rationally, BLT 2BR is bigger, has the longer contract, and costs less per point. But, I can’t help it, I love the location of BCV, and so does my family. And given the time of year that we typically travel (November), I don’t think it’s realistic that we could get a BCV 2BR for 7-8 nights at 7 mos. out.

I actually put in an offer today, but I kinda low-balled the offer, so I’m not getting my hopes up. It’s tough to make offers on BCV because there’s very little ROFR data available either here or another DVC owner’s forum. So, wish me luck!

 

[momtwoboys]

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[DduzDis]

Exciting! We own at BLT but will be staying at BCV in March. You've waited 7 years so I guess I don't have to tell you to be patient with the process. Lol! Best of luck!!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Good luck! I hope you are successful in getting the contract you've chosen. BCV is one of our homes, and we love it.

 

[gillep]

Good Luck!!!!! We purchased our BCV contract this past spring, and just booked our first stay using our own BCV points for F&W, and it was so exciting and easy having that 11 month booking window!!!

 

[iheartglaciers]

I actually put in an offer today, but I kinda low-balled the offer, so I’m not getting my hopes up. It’s tough to make offers on BCV because there’s very little ROFR data available either here or another DVC owner’s forum. So, wish me luck!

Good luck! I just put in an offer on a BCV contract earlier this week that I thought I low balled, but it was accepted! So now I'm wondering if I could've even gone a little lower I agree it's hard to say for BCV since there aren't many contracts on the market as some other resorts, especially right now. I'm still waiting for the seller to sign the contract, so fingers crossed they're not thinking of backing out!! I'm eager to book a trip for next fall :-D

 

[MommaBerd]

Good luck! I just put in an offer on a BCV contract earlier this week that I thought I low balled, but it was accepted! So now I'm wondering if I could've even gone a little lower I agree it's hard to say for BCV since there aren't many contracts moving, especially right now. I'm still waiting for the seller to sign the contract, so fingers crossed they're not thinking of backing out!! I'm eager to book a trip for next fall :-D

Good luck!

Now go post on the ROFR thread!!!

 

[iheartglaciers]

Now go post on the ROFR thread!!!

As soon as it’s submitted to ROFR!!! I keep refreshing my email, so I can only imagine what it’ll be like waiting for it to pass. The joys of resale :-D

 

[momtwoboys]

As soon as it’s submitted to ROFR!!! I keep refreshing my email, so I can only imagine what it’ll be like waiting for it to pass. The joys of resale :-D

waiting for it to pass is making me CRAZYYYYY! I also offered a low price on an OKW resale and just keep refreshing my email too. We went to ROFR oct 30th..... we can all wait together!

 

[disneynutz]

After probably 7 years of reading and researching, we have reached a point where we can comfortably afford to buy! How I wish we could have done this even a year ago, given the current resale market, but that’s not really productive. I’m incredibly thankful we are where we are today!

We are going to try for BCV, despite the math. My second choice would be BLT. We have a big-ish family, so we’ll need a 2BR for most of our trips. Rationally, BLT 2BR is bigger, has the longer contract, and costs less per point. But, I can’t help it, I love the location of BCV, and so does my family. And given the time of year that we typically travel (November), I don’t think it’s realistic that we could get a BCV 2BR for 7-8 nights at 7 mos. out.

I actually put in an offer today, but I kinda low-balled the offer, so I’m not getting my hopes up. It’s tough to make offers on BCV because there’s very little ROFR data available either here or another DVC owner’s forum. So, wish me luck!

Good luck, my only advice is that you make sure that BCV is what you really want. It is one of our holdings and while it is a nice DVC building, it is tucked behind the BC and the best view is of the quiet pool. Even though we bought it, we seldom stay there finding other resorts more to our liking. It is very hard to pick your favorite resort without staying at all or your contenders first.

Bill

 

[Capang]

Good luck! We wish we would have got in sooner, too, but we are happy to just get in!

 

[MommaBerd]

As soon as it’s submitted to ROFR!!! I keep refreshing my email, so I can only imagine what it’ll be like waiting for it to pass. The joys of resale :-D

My bad - I guess it IS too early!

 

[iheartglaciers]

Good luck, my only advice is that you make sure that BCV is what you really want. It is one of our holdings and while it is a nice DVC building, it is tucked behind the BC and the best view is of the quiet pool.

I was fortunate to tag along on my cousin’s trips over the last couple of years and was able to stay at five different DVC resorts before deciding to buy in. I have so many favorites for different reasons BLT was the only one I didn’t like so far. Being able to walk to MK was amazing, but I didn’t like the size and sterile theming (to me anyway, I know others love it!).

I’m staying at BWV for the first time next week, so I wonder how I’ll like it compared to BCV

 

[MommaBerd]

Good luck, my only advice is that you make sure that BCV is what you really want. It is one of our holdings and while it is a nice DVC building, it is tucked behind the BC and the best view is of the quiet pool. Even though we bought it, we seldom stay there finding other resorts more to our liking. It is very hard to pick your favorite resort without staying at all or your contenders first.

Bill

Bill - from all my lurking, I know you always have such sage advice. I *wish* we could stay at every DVC, but by the time we would be able to stay at just these two, I can’t imagine what resale prices would be. We *have* stayed at both BCR and CR so we have at least some idea of the locations and general “vibe” of the area. We aren’t so much into “views”, or at least right now. But I do know we love the location and feel of BC. I think I’m realistic in my expectations about the fact that the villas are tucked back and away from things, as well as the other differences in being a DVC member vs. a resort guest.

 

[momtwoboys]

Bill - from all my lurking, I know you always have such sage advice. I *wish* we could stay at every DVC, but by the time we would be able to stay at just these two, I can’t imagine what resale prices would be. We *have* stayed at both BCR and CR so we have at least some idea of the locations and general “vibe” of the area. We aren’t so much into “views”, or at least right now. But I do know we love the location and feel of BC. I think I’m realistic in my expectations about the fact that the villas are tucked back and away from things, as well as the other differences in being a DVC member vs. a resort guest.

we stayed at BCV in April 2015 and liked the tucked back area of the Villas, we actually used that pool over SAB. Our view was on the side that faced Epcot and we loved it! Could hear the music playing from the UK while sitting on our Balcony.

 

[Wakey]

BCV is a lovely resort, well done. Good you waited until you could afford also- always the sensible option.
I'm sure you have considered this, but 24 years left on the contract is not long. The value will be adversely affected significantly as you get nearer the end date.
I love the Epcot resorts and they are an obvious choice, but if I were buying one now I think I'd hang on for Riviera which would still probably be worth a lot in 30 years time, or if I didn't want to use it would give me another 26 years of rental income over BCV.
Just a thought, sorry not trying to put you off, just the financial value is always a big consideration to me.
Of course there's always the option, maybe if you like Riviera, you could offload BCV quickly and get back something like you paid and reinvest.

 

[MommaBerd]

BCV is a lovely resort, well done. Good you waited until you could afford also- always the sensible option.
I'm sure you have considered this, but 24 years left on the contract is not long. The value will be adversely affected significantly as you get nearer the end date.
I love the Epcot resorts and they are an obvious choice, but if I were buying one now I think I'd hang on for Riviera which would still probably be worth a lot in 30 years time, or if I didn't want to use it would give me another 26 years of rental income over BCV.
Just a thought, sorry not trying to put you off, just the financial value is always a big consideration to me.
Of course there's always the option, maybe if you like Riviera, you could offload BCV quickly and get back something like you paid and reinvest.

I have definitely struggled with “The Riviera” option. I wish we knew more about it. My fear is that it will ONLY be studios (and we need 2BRs) or that they will cheap out on the amenities. In the meantime, DVC resale prices continue to climb and climb - making BCV even less financially appealing. However, you do make a good argument about “26 years of rental income.” Granted, nothing is guaranteed- I know that - but it IS something to consider.

Also, I am not at all put off by offers of advice & suggestions or challenges to my thinking. It either strengthens my decision when I can provide reasons for making it, or gives me something new to think about and consider! So, as long as no one is ugly, I am more than OK with it! (I mean I have to be - this is a discussion forum! )

 

[disneynutz]

Bill - from all my lurking, I know you always have such sage advice. I *wish* we could stay at every DVC, but by the time we would be able to stay at just these two, I can’t imagine what resale prices would be. We *have* stayed at both BCR and CR so we have at least some idea of the locations and general “vibe” of the area. We aren’t so much into “views”, or at least right now. But I do know we love the location and feel of BC. I think I’m realistic in my expectations about the fact that the villas are tucked back and away from things, as well as the other differences in being a DVC member vs. a resort guest.

Just keep in mind that this purchase may be a springboard to DVC ownership and you may either buy a more favorite resort later and sell your first contract or keep both. We got all caught up and excited in the DVC club idea, during the first few years of ownership. At least the costs were much lower when we purchased BCV as our first resort resale then 5 others as time went on both direct and resale. We had 26 contracts, sold some, use some, rent some.

Bill

 

[momtwoboys]

I have definitely struggled with “The Riviera” option. I wish we knew more about it. My fear is that it will ONLY be studios (and we need 2BRs) or that they will cheap out on the amenities. In the meantime, DVC resale prices continue to climb and climb - making BCV even less financially appealing. However, you do make a good argument about “26 years of rental income.” Granted, nothing is guaranteed- I know that - but it IS something to consider.

Also, I am not at all put off by offers of advice & suggestions or challenges to my thinking. It either strengthens my decision when I can provide reasons for making it, or gives me something new to think about and consider! So, as long as no one is ugly, I am more than OK with it! (I mean I have to be - this is a discussion forum! )

we also have waited this long until we could afford to pay for a contract without Financing. 100pts is where we are comfortable and the 24 years left on the contract is actually perfect for us. We are 46/47 and it will take us on our yearly trips till we are possibly not able to travel anymore. We didn't want to buy in with the thought of passing it to our boys, we are buying in for US! The boys have come with us since birth yearly and they may or may not want to continue that with their families. Good luck on passing ROFR and hope you enjoy your trips to BCV or any other DVC you choose to try!

 

[CarolMN]

Sounds like you are ready to make an informed decision.

If you know you would enjoy staying at BCV in November, then my advice is to go ahead and buy there now - especially if you plan to vacation at WDW again in the near future. We bought BWV without staying there first and it's still our favorite place to be. We now have to book right at 11 months to get what we want when we want it. Occasionally we venture elsewhere for a few nights to try out a new resort, but we refer BWV for most of our stays. Sounds like you feel (or will feel) that way about the BCV.

24 years is still a long time and we do not know what will change during that time. I applaud your decision to wait until you can afford to commit $$ to prepaid vacations. To add to your conservative approach, I would add that DVC should not be purchased counting on future resale value or even future rental income. The past is no guarantee of the future. I would not choose a home resort that was "OK" for us over one that we really loved just because the " OK" resort had a longer contract or a cheaper long-term cost. If you find yourself stuck staying somewhere when you'd rather be somewhere else, the good feelings of having a longer or cheaper contract will soon be forgotten.

The Riviera is still an unknown - it won't even be available for purchase for at least 2 years - and probably another 2 -5 years after that before resale prices for it are "reasonable". Who knows how much the cost per point will be to buy in? We won't see the point charts & initial maintenance fees until just before sales begin. There are many opinions on how the chart will look. I think it will require more points per night to stay there than does the BCV. We'll see.

Remember that once you've made your best decision "second-guessing" only makes you crazy and can result in "decision paralysis".

Good luck with the process - hope you hear "welcome home" very soon.