Help! We want to buy at a different resort...

[Marshay]

We own at two different resorts (SSR 160 pts and AKV 65 pts) and realized
(1) we don't like SSR or OKW layout but we like the "hotel DVCs"
and
(2) we prefer all our points in one resort for easier planning.

How are SSR resales going, if at all? I expect we'll take a $10+/point loss (based on current contracts at The Timeshare Store) plus closing fees, etc.

We don't know if we should just keep SSR and constantly switch to another available resort at the 7 month mark or if we should try to sell and purchase at a resort we would be happier with using...

As our family enters school, we'll be going more at peak times which will make the 7 month mark harder to get at our preferred resorts (BC, WL, AKV, BLT).

Any advice?

Thank you very much!

Signed,

Should have listened

 

[Dean]

Your loss will likely be more in the $25-30 a point range or more depending on specifics. You could buy another 45 or so points for the $$ difference and keep the SSR points, the only issue is the increased dues of $200 a year. If you were able to buy the replacement resale, you could likely get it just under $20 a point difference.

 

[Marshay]

Your loss will likely be more in the $25-30 a point range or more depending on specifics. You could buy another 45 or so points for the $$ difference and keep the SSR points, the only issue is the increased dues of $200 a year. If you were able to buy the replacement resale, you could likely get it just under $20 a point difference.

Oh, that ($25-30) would take it out of the ballgame for us. Guess I didn't look at the selling prices too clearly...thought I saw low-mid $80s.

We hate the idea of switching resorts (did it once, we just pack to much with small kids) so wanted to have the most of our points at the resort we really wanted.

 

[Dean]

Oh, that ($25-30) would take it out of the ballgame for us. Guess I didn't look at the selling prices too clearly...thought I saw low-mid $80s.

We hate the idea of switching resorts (did it once, we just pack to much with small kids) so wanted to have the most of our points at the resort we really wanted.

Prices has slipped lately and there was always a differential between listing and selling price. Don't forget the 10% commission, in this case it all comes directly out of your pocket. At $82 a point sales price you'd still be almost $20 a point differential compared to the AKV specials, more for the non special prices. You might or might not pick up something on the dues exchange and any bonuses (developer points) might reduce your effective difference somewhat.

With a little planning you should rarely if ever have to switch resorts. Certainly things like Concierge and 3 BR units will not usually be workable but most else will. Given you were thinking of getting all points at AKV and would prefer not to stay at SSR, here are some approaches.

For example say you wanted a 1 BR, get yourself in a position with enough banked points to schedule 5 nights (S-F) then try for the weekends at 7 months out using SSR points and link them. At the same time you could see if you could get any of those days you have reserved already using your SSR and free up the AKV points getting bankable points back first to use for future trips in a similar way. Then for some trips simply plan to uses SSR points and reserve at SSR 11 months out. Then at 7 months, try to switch to something (anything you'd be happy with) and WL everything you would want if you don't get it right away.

While this approach takes a slightly different mindset, once you get in the habit of thinking this way it really is quite easy. And considering it'd be saving you in the neighborhood of $4K, that should make every trip a little more fun. And even if you get stuck with SSR once every few years, it's certainly not the end of the world and you could take that opportunity to do things from SSR you might not staying at AKV for example.

 

[Marshay]

Prices has slipped lately and there was always a differential between listing and selling price. Don't forget the 10% commission, in this case it all comes directly out of your pocket. At $82 a point sales price you'd still be almost $20 a point differential compared to the AKV specials, more for the non special prices. You might or might not pick up something on the dues exchange and any bonuses (developer points) might reduce your effective difference somewhat.

With a little planning you should rarely if ever have to switch resorts. Certainly things like Concierge and 3 BR units will not usually be workable but most else will. Given you were thinking of getting all points at AKV and would prefer not to stay at SSR, here are some approaches.

For example say you wanted a 1 BR, get yourself in a position with enough banked points to schedule 5 nights (S-F) then try for the weekends at 7 months out using SSR points and link them. At the same time you could see if you could get any of those days you have reserved already using your SSR and free up the AKV points getting bankable points back first to use for future trips in a similar way. Then for some trips simply plan to uses SSR points and reserve at SSR 11 months out. Then at 7 months, try to switch to something (anything you'd be happy with) and WL everything you would want if you don't get it right away.

While this approach takes a slightly different mindset, once you get in the habit of thinking this way it really is quite easy. And considering it'd be saving you in the neighborhood of $4K, that should make every trip a little more fun. And even if you get stuck with SSR once every few years, it's certainly not the end of the world and you could take that opportunity to do things from SSR you might not staying at AKV for example.

Thank you Dean! I really do appreciate taking the time to write to me and help me out.

And let me just say, "Duh! Why didn't I think of that?"

Our initial plan was just to book the entire trip at SSR and then switch at 7 months to the resorts of our choice. But I see your approach would help us out a bit...just book part of the trip, then add the rest of the trip when you can find out what's available -- hopefully, all at one resort.

For our past trips, we'd book SSR, then switch to BC or AKV and then it required us using more points since the point values were not the same.

PS I really, really want to own at BLT but the only way to do that financially for us is to sell what we have or take a very small add-on.

 

[Dean]

Thank you Dean! I really do appreciate taking the time to write to me and help me out.

And let me just say, "Duh! Why didn't I think of that?"

Our initial plan was just to book the entire trip at SSR and then switch at 7 months to the resorts of our choice. But I see your approach would help us out a bit...just book part of the trip, then add the rest of the trip when you can find out what's available -- hopefully, all at one resort.

For our past trips, we'd book SSR, then switch to BC or AKV and then it required us using more points since the point values were not the same.

PS I really, really want to own at BLT but the only way to do that financially for us is to sell what we have or take a very small add-on.

I'm glad to have helped in some small way, you can do a lot when you get creative. For BLT, it will be interesting. Start saving now and do smaller add ons.

 

[ldo]

I agree with strategy of above poster. Also, since AKV will have 700 or so rooms, you should be able to get what you want, even at peak times if you book at exactly 7 months out most times. Only if you find year after year that you can't get AKV would I consider selling, and I really don't think that will happen.
Also, as your kids get older, I can say that the Community Hall (CH) at SSR is very good and you can also take the boat directly to OKW for their CH. Although I am also fond of the hotel-DVcs, my school-age kids really like SSR for the fun pool and the great CH and ask to go back.

 

[disneyistheone]

Wow Dean, I've read your post three times and I'm still not sure what you're saying. I guess that I have a lot to learn. Am I clear on what you are saying?
First, you book S-F at 11 months out using your AKV points.
Then at 7 months, you book f-s at AKV using the SSR points and you also see if you can book any of the previously booked days using SSR points.
So if this is all true, then you are somehow getting the AKV points back with no penalty such as having them going into "holding". Is that right?
Do I understand it correctly?

 

[Dean]

Wow Dean, I've read your post three times and I'm still not sure what you're saying. I guess that I have a lot to learn. Am I clear on what you are saying?
First, you book S-F at 11 months out using your AKV points.
Then at 7 months, you book f-s at AKV using the SSR points and you also see if you can book any of the previously booked days using SSR points.
So if this is all true, then you are somehow getting the AKV points back with no penalty such as having them going into "holding". Is that right?
Do I understand it correctly?

That is exactly it.

 

[Marshay]

I agree with strategy of above poster. Also, since AKV will have 700 or so rooms, you should be able to get what you want, even at peak times if you book at exactly 7 months out most times. Only if you find year after year that you can't get AKV would I consider selling, and I really don't think that will happen.
Also, as your kids get older, I can say that the Community Hall (CH) at SSR is very good and you can also take the boat directly to OKW for their CH. Although I am also fond of the hotel-DVcs, my school-age kids really like SSR for the fun pool and the great CH and ask to go back.

Thanks for the post. My worry is getting stuck with SSR or OKW all the time once we start going in more peak times and never being able to get into the other resorts.

We also have gone the past 2 trips with my mom (wheelchair) who really is concerned about getting to/from a resort without taking the bus. So she always wants to stay at BC or Bdwlk (or the new BLT.) Even the new AKV won't work for her...

Guess we just have lots of concerns and I'm wondering how DVC will work as our family's needs change...

Thanks for telling me about the CH...

I do agree with you re: AKV once the new building is up.

 

[disneyistheone]

Thanks Dean. So now I can see an additional benefit of multiple contracts at different resorts. I didn't realize that you could swap out one resort's points for another's without a penalty. I just assumed that you would have to cancel the first one and then rebook. You are really just reassigning the points for the booking. Cool!!!

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean. So now I can see an additional benefit of multiple contracts at different resorts. I didn't realize that you could swap out one resort's points for another's without a penalty. I just assumed that you would have to cancel the first one and then rebook. You are really just reassigning the points for the booking. Cool!!!

Technically it's a cancellation of that night and a rebooking. But if the unit is available, it has the same effect. A great way to use points of a lessor demand and stretch higher demand points. It does make planning and UY more important. I'm a big proponent of buy where you want to stay and having multiple resort ownerships where feasible, but not at the cost of throwing away thousands of dollars. IMO, the only times it's reasonable to sell and rebuy is if one is downgrading significantly (my situation) or if one has to for personal reasons such as financial hardships with the idea of buying back in later.

 

[ldo]

since AKV will have about the same # of rooms as OKW--you should have similar ability to book there, esp. after the 1st year or two and the newness wears off and AKV owners start trying other places. When you say peak times--if you are talking right at Christmas and maybe Thanksgiving, then you might not get in at BC or BW. But, if you are going for Spring break, those are staggered over about 5 weeks, and summer is even more staggered. So both of those times are easier to book at 7 mths. Good luck. Elaine

 

[Marshay]

since AKV will have about the same # of rooms as OKW--you should have similar ability to book there, esp. after the 1st year or two and the newness wears off and AKV owners start trying other places. When you say peak times--if you are talking right at Christmas and maybe Thanksgiving, then you might not get in at BC or BW. But, if you are going for Spring break, those are staggered over about 5 weeks, and summer is even more staggered. So both of those times are easier to book at 7 mths. Good luck. Elaine

Yeah, when I thought it was only about $1600 loss, it was making sense...but that obviously was not accurate -- which is why I posted my question. I knew DIS folks would help me out!

Peak for us would be spring break, fall break and summer once kids are in school, so hopefully you are right and we'll continue to be able to switch at 7 mths.

We had no probs in Sept but when we went in May, we couldn't get a 2 BR at all for 10 days at BCV...ended up with a 1BR and studio. And we were available anytime in the month. I thought May was a non-peak month, so that's when we started to worry what would happen when it's a crowded month.

 

[Dean]

since AKV will have about the same # of rooms as OKW--you should have similar ability to book there, esp. after the 1st year or two and the newness wears off and AKV owners start trying other places. When you say peak times--if you are talking right at Christmas and maybe Thanksgiving, then you might not get in at BC or BW. But, if you are going for Spring break, those are staggered over about 5 weeks, and summer is even more staggered. So both of those times are easier to book at 7 mths. Good luck. Elaine

It remains to be seen but there is more to demand and availability than size. It is my opinion that AKV will be much harder to get overall than SSR or OKW.