Help needed...thisclose to signing!

[lcborn2run]

We just got back from a cruise on the Magic where I sat in on a DVC presentation.

While AKL seems like the best deal, the BLT is LOCATION WISE where I would choose to stay (though AKL looks Beautiful!! I just find it so far removed from most parks).

I didn't sign, but my "guide" is sending contracts in the mail this week.

A big reason I liked these two sites is that they have One BR villas set up to sleep 5, and we have 3 kids. Now, the standard view in the BLT is 270 pts for Magic Season (for one week--we need this time period). In other resorts, I think we'd need a 2 br, which would be more points.

I was going to purchase the 270, but it's pretty expensive. I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but I believe the offer is for $5 off the price for BLT. The price per point is definitely cheaper for the AK property, but the MF is higher than BLT, and as mentioned, I like the location.

Now, reading through this board, it seems you can "better" your chances to sell later-if you must-if you have less points. I'm thinking of changing to 160 points as we would probably only go every two years anyway.

Money is definitely a consideration for me. I am just confused as to how much to buy. I know I am rambling, but I need help!!!

Thank you so much in advance for any advice.

Lisa

 

[drusba]

How many you buy is a personal choice that depends on what you feel you can afford without stretching it (remember you do have to pay annual dues after the purchase) and what type of vacation you want -- size of room, how long you would go annually, and time of year. Smaller size contracts have been somewhat easier to sell on the resale market. However, many owners have lots of points but smaller contracts -- they just have multiple contracts, each of which can later be resold by itself. For example, one could buy 270 points but instead of buying one contract, buy two (for example, 130 and 140 points; new buyer must purchase 160 points but I do not believe it has to be one contract) or three (100, 100, and 70) and thus have the smaller contracts but number of points wanted. Problem is a new buyer pays closing costs and thus you would pay multiple closing costs. You could consider purchasing 160 now (possibly one contract) and then later purchase, after closing, an add-on contract (existing owners who add-on do not pay closing costs).

Also, a warning about buying minimum points needed for that one week standard view. Only 11% of the rooms at BLT will be standard view point cost. Because of low points there will be high demand for them. Those limited number of rooms are likely to book full many times a year 11 months out and thus unless you will always be booking exactly 11 months do not buy assuming you can always get that standard view when you want it.

 

[lcborn2run]

Interesting info on the low availability of Standard View rooms. I was on the fence with AKL/BLT, but after reading posts, am considering AKL now.

Thanks for your help!!

Lisa

 

[Uncle Remus]

Interesting info on the low availability of Standard View rooms. I was on the fence with AKL/BLT, but after reading posts, am considering AKL now.

Thanks for your help!!

Lisa

Since you mentioned money is a factor, you might want to consider a resale, less expensive in some regards.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Since you mentioned money is a factor, you might want to consider a resale, less expensive in some regards.

Have to agree with Uncle Remus, we just bought resale and got exactally what we wanted at a fraction of the price.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Room to room and the point requirements make the MFs pretty similar between the two resorts.

BLT

Magic Season - Standard View - 1 Bedroom = 270 Points

270 Points X $3.67/point = $990.90

AKV

Magic Season - Standard View - 1 Bedroom = 225 Points

225 Points X $4.71/point = $1,059.75

*Both examples are for 1 week, and sleep 5 adults.

Also, keep in mind, the only guarantee with MFs are that they will never increase more then 15% a year. Although unlikely to ever increase at that rate, with history showing averages around 3% - 4% annually.

Even a small variance in a percentage of an increase in MFs between the two resorts (or any other for that matter) will change the picture one way or the other over the course of the contract.

Also, consider the price difference between the two resorts to buy in. Ultimately, buy where you want to stay, cost eventually becomes irrelevant because the variances are fairly neglible.