how does dvc compare?

[DrTomorrow]

[...] My DVC agent did not seem to understand we can make 8% on our money after taxes. [...]

Care to share the source of a guaranteed after-tax return of 8%?

 

[Dean]

Real room rates have not come anywhere near 8% over the years. But buying something like DVC should do far better than make up for the 8% increase to make it worthwhile to own. If one bought DVC to rent out you'd need to look at it like a LP or similar high risk venture and expect a min of 10% return PLUS principal.

As for comparing to RCI, that is impossible to do well. As Doc pointed out, RCI is really an exchange company but if you want to compare to individual resorts or groups you can do that. If DVC were in RCI, they would be at the very top of the ladder just like they are with II. That doesn't mean there aren't other top resorts in RCI, just not that many in the same quality and demand as DVC. What you really should do is compare to a few specific resorts, maybe in Orlando, HH and the East coast of FL.

 

[jodifla]

I know for people considering the purchase, money is key. But for us, while we figured we could probably stay more cheaply (hey, we have friends in Orlando. we can sleep on their couch for free!) we couldn't stay as well as we can with DVC, factoring in the cost.

We also couldn't treat friends and family without DVC, which we love to do (when we walked into a 2-bedroom at OKW with our pals -- it's the closest I'll ever come to feeling like a superhero! they were so thrilled), and the temptation would be, whenever money is tight, to stay at All Stars or Motel 6 or whatever. Now we never have to do that, even tho we are down to one income. My husband, who was the one who took convincing, tells me everytime we walk into DVC how smart he thinks we were for taking the plunge. (We bought back with DVC was really a deal...we'd break even or make money off it now.)

Our purchase price is paid off now, so we just have dues. We normally only spend one weekend night, so our 206 points go far.

Anyway, my overall point is that it's about more than money. It's an emotional, bang for your buck kind of thing.

 

[dianeschlicht]

One problem I see the OP trying to do is to fit a round peg in a square hole. You say you want real beds for your kids and yourself. There IS an option for that with DVC. It is called a 2 bedroom villa. If that is what you want, then you need to look at the number of days you prefer to travel and the time you prefer to travel and see how many points you would need to do a 2 bedroom villa at your preferred resort. Trying to make a 1 bedroom fit your needs doesn't sound feasible.

 

[kcashner]

Ok, I'll add my 2 cents worth here. We own 2 timeshares--DVC and another. DVC was completely honest and up front from the beginning. We have always gotten exactly what we were promised, and in addition, there are occasional special things that happen.

With the other time share, there are always little details that can end up costing more--like making 2 reservations within one year (even though the reservations are in 2 different calendar years), being told that you can't get a one bedroom (calling at least every 2 weeks for 6 months) and then at check in finding out that they do have one bedrooms available but they wouldn't reserve one for you (despite having enough points) because they always save a certain number for VIP upgrades!!!!! Etc. I would never have bought the other if I'd gotten the DVC first. If I could sell the other for any decent $, I would.

By the way, if you ever want to sell DVC, you can always do so at a good price, not some total rip off!
Kathryn

 

[RichieGraciemom]

Washer and dryers are free for studios, they are usually at the pool area, except I think for bwv