How early is too early to message a DVC Owner?

[Wells Larsen]

I would like to rent some DVC points for December 2023.
I am coming around to the idea of renting directly from a private owner as opposed to using a broker.
It is currently June 2022; Well beyond the 11 month window.
How early is too early to respond to the Rental Board?
Should I message immediately if I see something that fits my needs?
Should I message just before the 11 month mark?
Should I message just after the 11 month mark?

I am totally willing to drop a deposit down now, even though the 11 month window isn't open (and wont be for 6 months)?
I'm not sure if that's annoying to an owner or not.

 

[Brian Noble]

If an owner is advertising points that cover your dates (and some are) I don't see why you couldn't check with them.

 

[Marionnette]

I agree with @Brian Noble, but don't be surprised if owners respond that they'll be happy to accommodate you IF their points are still available when January rolls around. It's much better, from an owner's standpoint, to book the rentals that you can ASAP rather than waiting on a renter who could change their mind between now and January.

 

[Wells Larsen]

I agree with @Brian Noble, but don't be surprised if owners respond that they'll be happy to accommodate you IF their points are still available when January rolls around. It's much better, from an owner's standpoint, to book the rentals that you can ASAP rather than waiting on a renter who could change their mind between now and January.

That is a great point. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Chuck S]

I would try contacting an owner at 12 to 13 months out, if you see an owner here that owns at your choice of resort, and just ask if they will be renting points for that timeframe. Really, for busy December, it may be lass hassle to try to rent through a broker, just due to how popular that timeframe is.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I wouldn't find it annoying. If you see a post that matches your needs and you're willing to put down a deposit, I don't see why you shouldn't message the owner. I'd reach out asap, and then ask again 2 months before booking window opens to reconfirm details (so 13 month mark). I'd normally suggest you do 1 month before booking window opens, but given that would be December 2022, its not the best time to get responses from people with all the holidays.

Good luck!

 

[Wells Larsen]

I wouldn't find it annoying. If you see a post that matches your needs and you're willing to put down a deposit, I don't see why you shouldn't message the owner. I'd reach out asap, and then ask again 2 months before booking window opens to reconfirm details (so 13 month mark). I'd normally suggest you do 1 month before booking window opens, but given that would be December 2022, its not the best time to get responses from people with all the holidays.

Good luck!

Thanks that's helpful. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst they can say is 'no, go away / come back later'.
I'm only a little anxious because I've planned an 11 day stay the first 2 weeks of December (6-17) and I realize that is a long stay over popular DVC period. I wouldn't be thrilled about doing a split stay, but I guess I would if I had to.
As a backup, I plan to reserve Swan/Dolphin/Reserve or Riviera, but BWV is my first choice.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Thanks that's helpful. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst they can say is 'no, go away / come back later'.
I'm only a little anxious because I've planned an 11 day stay the first 2 weeks of December (6-17) and I realize that is a long stay over popular DVC period. I wouldn't be thrilled about doing a split stay, but I guess I would if I had to.
As a backup, I plan to reserve Swan/Dolphin/Reserve or Riviera, but BWV is my first choice.

BWV standard studio is the quickest to go. It might even get walked. But if you're open to pool/garden or a 1 bedroom, you'll have an easier time getting a rental.

 

[Wells Larsen]

BWV standard studio is the quickest to go. It might even get walked. But if you're open to pool/garden or a 1 bedroom, you'll have an easier time getting a rental.

Ha!
I was actually educated in a different thread.
So, I now do have my sights set on Preferred Studio.
I really care more about locking it in vs saving a little.
I figure no matter what I will save money vs the $7K that the Swan Reserve wanted in Dec 2022.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks that's helpful. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst they can say is 'no, go away / come back later'.
I'm only a little anxious because I've planned an 11 day stay <<snip>> and I realize that is a long stay over popular DVC period. I wouldn't be thrilled about doing a split stay, but I guess I would if I had to.
As a backup, I plan to reserve Swan/Dolphin/Reserve or Riviera, but *** is my first choice.

For that kind of stay, you're going to need someone with 2023 points to rent out.

 

[LYSE]

I would generally reach out as soon as what you want is bookable (11 months) UNLESS it's a hard to get reservation, if that's the case reach out early and consider a deposit to hold the points for your reservation. (I have held points with a deposit before)

 

[Wells Larsen]

For that kind of stay, you're going to need someone with 2023 points to rent out.

Forgive my ignorance on '2023 points'. I assume that means any month within the 2023 year.
An example of the threads I've been seeing have something like this in the title, "BWV June 2023 use year".

Would that work?

Of course, I know that availability cannot be checked until January 2023 for my dates, but at least those points could rent it, right?

 

[Marionnette]

Forgive my ignorance on '2023 points'. I assume that means any month within the 2023 year.
An example of the threads I've been seeing have something like this in the title, "BWV June 2023 use year".

Would that work?

Of course, I know that availability cannot be checked until January 2023 for my dates, but at least those points could rent it, right?

DVC points go by "use year". You might see a thread that has ### 2022 points at XXX resort. Those points will expire before your intended trip, which will fall in 2023.

As an example of "use year", I'll use my April UY. Those points are good from April 1 - March 31. So for a trip in, let's say August 2023, I would use April 2023 points. For a trip in December 2023, it would still take April 2023 points. My April 2022 points cannot be used to make those reservations unless I "bank" them forward into my 2023 UY.

Someone with a "June 2023 UY" could borrow half of their 2023 points to make a reservation that falls between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. But they cannot use the full allotment of 2023 for any reservation that begins before June 1, 2023.

 

[Wells Larsen]

DVC points go by "use year". You might see a thread that has ### 2022 points at XXX resort. Those points will expire before your intended trip, which will fall in 2023.

As an example of "use year", I'll use my April UY. Those points are good from April 1 - March 31. So for a trip in, let's say August 2023, I would use April 2023 points. For a trip in December 2023, it would still take April 2023 points. My April 2022 points cannot be used to make those reservations unless I "bank" them forward into my 2023 UY.

Gotcha. Thanks. That's what I was thinking, but it's great to have confirmation.

 

[HarlanE]

This has been helpful advice. We have planned to be in DW the second half of August 2023. Our first choice will be BWV standard studio. Will it be necessary to get right on the renting of points at the 11 month mark because standard studios at BWV are so popular or can I wait till <7 months to save the home resort premium that DVC rental brokers charge? Thx

 

[Marionnette]

This has been helpful advice. We have planned to be in DW the second half of August 2023. Our first choice will be BWV standard studio. Will it be necessary to get right on the renting of points at the 11 month mark because standard studios at BWV are so popular or can I wait till <7 months to save the home resort premium that DVC rental brokers charge? Thx

August is not a high-demand period for DVC but I wouldn't want to gamble on getting all of my nights in a standard view studio at BWV at under 7 months just to save the home resort premium rate. The difference is what? $2 per point? At 92 points for the week are you willing to wait until the 7-month window in order to save $185 on a 7-night stay? If your gamble fails, you would pay +$320 for the preferred view.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This has been helpful advice. We have planned to be in DW the second half of August 2023. Our first choice will be BWV standard studio. Will it be necessary to get right on the renting of points at the 11 month mark because standard studios at BWV are so popular or can I wait till <7 months to save the home resort premium that DVC rental brokers charge? Thx

In August you will not get more than 2-3 nights in a Standard Studio at 7 months. Frankly, booking in home resort getting a week in Standard will be problematic.

Even a private owner often won't be lurking at 7:59AM at exactly 11 months for a renter; those that do will charge a premium. As owners, we can make the same money having had a nice cup of coffee and a shower and booking someone a Garden/Preferred.

Even in August, BWV Standard is subject to walking. While days will open as walkers pass through, I just don't know a lot of renting owners will be do the lurk and pickup for a renter.

 

[Matty B13]

Even a private owner often won't be lurking at 7:59AM at exactly 11 months for a renter; those that do will charge a premium. As owners, we can make the same money having had a nice cup of coffee and a shower and booking someone a Garden/Preferred.

It's actually better for the private owner because the Garden/Preferred costs more points.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's actually better for the private owner because the Garden/Preferred costs more points.

I think if someone were asking for a follow of the walkers and 8AM bookings, many owners would adjust their Standard pricing to be more than Garden/Preferred. That was a bit more my gist - by the time they adjust the price for the bother, you're paying G/P.

 

[HarlanE]

Has anyone been successful in arranging with a DVC owner earlier than the 11 month home resort window to commit to try renting the home resort by giving the owner a deposit? thx