Patricia721's calculations are largely correct, but LIFERBABE is right that the minimum down payment is only 10%
Current pricing is $89 per point. To purchase 150 points (the minumum for a new owner), you would need to have the following in cash (check / credit card), up front:
150 pts @ $89 pp = $13,350 total investment
10% of $13,350 = $1335 down.
When you call
DVC you can get away with putting as little as $500 up front just to get the paperwork moving. But you'll need to send the balance of the down payment when you sign and return the documents.
The promotional discount ($10 pp now, $5 pp starting on Saturday) comes off of the remaining financed balance. Thus if you purchase tomorrow, you would be financing as follows:
$13,350 (total purchase) - $1335 (dp) - $1500 (promotion) = $10,515 financed.
If you purchase after 10/31, the promotional discount would only be $750, and the net financed amount is $11,265.
The current interest rate for the financed amount is 10.75% if you send a check each month, 9.75% if you go direct debit. These numbers are based upon a 10-year finance period, and may be lower for shorter durations. If you finance through DVC, there are no payments due (after the down payment) until the resort opens next May. Also, no interest will accrue until the resort opening.
To the original poster: read the DVC FAQ on this site and see if it helps. For many, many people, DVC makes a lot of sense and will save us thousands of dollars over the next 40-50 years. You may also find a thread on these boards about situations where DVC is not beneficial. Some of the main reasons are:
- If you travel during the summer and holiday periods. Point costs are high and your DVC dollar doesn't go as far.
- If you travel during weekends. Weekend stays can cost two or three times the Sunday - Thursday rate. Again your points don't go as far.
- If you like to take spontaneous trips. DVC members are used to planning their trips 6-11 months ahead of time. You may find limited availability if you cannot plan more than a month or two ahead of time.
- Lastly, DVC presents members with first class accommodations. A two-bedroom villa room that sleeps 8 people can cost you $550 to $1000 PER NIGHT if you reserve through Central Reservations. If you are comfortable (personally and financially) staying in an All-Star or Moderate resort room, then DVC will likely not stand up well in a cost comparison. But if you compare the DVC purchase price to the rack rates of the rooms you will have available, you will likely find that the DVC investment pays for itself in a decade or less.
So, if you like to take spontaneous, cheap, Christmas-time vacations over a weekend, DVC is likely not for you. If the opposite applies, you should definitely do your DVC homework.
Hope this helps.