FYI....
"closing" is just a formality when purchasing thru Disney. Once your credit/mortgage is approved and contracts sent to/from Disney (roughly + - 2 weeks), your guide will be able to verbally give you your membership id.
You can now...get on the members web site and also "make ressies" !!!!!!!!!
The "outside financing" can make it longer and it will all depend on how fast the outside lending entity gets things done. Disney moves fairly quickly but outside lender may not.
The reason I am asking is that the member that referred me is at her limit for referral $$ for 2008. I am going down to WDW in early December and thought I would start the ball rolling with DVC (if I like the BLT rooms). If I close Jan 2009 she gets the $$, but if I close Dec 31st, she doesn't.