Is it better to sell now or wait until spring?

[SkampyOne]

I feel like I've seen posts on this in previous years but can't find the reference. A friend has been talking about selling and I gave her all the details over the summer to help her but life got in the way and now she's panicking because of course dues are coming up. My thinking is she's probably not alone and so she may not get as much since the market could be flooded with contracts now. Would it be better to suck it up, pay the dues and sell next year when there's not as much panic? And would a buyer then take on some of the pro-rated dues anyway? I can't remember when I bought mine resale in March a few years back...

 

[Brian Noble]

I would just list them. There isn't much evidence of a seasonal variation in price over the past year:

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/dvc-resale-average-sales-prices-for-october-2025/

 

[Lumpy1106]

I may have this wrong but as I recall you pay dues on the points you use. for example if the contract is partially stripped when you buy it you do not pay dues on the points that have been used but you do pay dues on the points that you get to use (at closing). Everything is negotiable of course. Have her talk to a resale agent to get a better answer - no harm in that and it will cost her nothing.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I would sell now. Less competing contracts currently on the market. I’d actually do it asap.

 

[disneylandtour]

Four thoughts -

The overall number of resale contracts now is fairly low. That's good.

But also, there are usually people selling at a discount in Nov/Dec so that--just like your friend--they aren't on the hook for next year's dues in January. DVD will take the 2026 dues out of the sale before transfer.

And also, I'm seeing a lot of reasonably-priced contract sit on resale for weeks now before selling. I think this is more of a function of economic uncertainty (many families thinking, is now really the time to toss many thousands out for a time share contract). And the "slow sell" aspect of this will likely produce downward pressure on the resale price.

Lastly, you might discuss renting options to cover dues until there is (a) no rush to sell (and take a low offer) and (b) there's less economic uncertainty. But also explain to her (c) she won't be able to sell if there's a rental reservation on the contract until that reservation is complete.

I'd say it's all a mixed bag right now in terms of timing for sale.

 

[Chili327]

I may have this wrong but as I recall you pay dues on the points you use.

Yep... but whether she used them or not, she will have to pay the dues in Jan, but may get reimbursed in the sale.

I would sell now. Less competing contracts currently on the market. I’d actually do it asap.

Agree sell now, spring will have 100's more contracts for sale.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I’d sell now. Market isn’t terrible. Who knows what it will be like in the spring? A bird in the hand, and so forth.

 

[Sandisw]

You can't always time the market for things when you buy. If selling is something she sees herself needing to do, then its best to try earlier rather than later.

 

[Cfabar1]

What's the harm in listing now?

Worst case scenario, you pull the listing, and then re-list again?

I'd list now, and who knows, you may be surprised....

 

[Wedgeout]

Two things we don’t talk about: Bruno & Selling. We aren’t talking about best time to have a Garage Sale. Looking for cash..throw it up now and see if it sticks.

 

[sticker231]

I agree with everyone saying to list it now. It's the only way to find out if she gets an offer she thinks is acceptable. Who knows what the spring may hold economically.

 

[sndral]

Points have a limited lifespan, waiting 4 months until spring means those points are 4 months older & thus worth less to potential buyers. Most buyers add value for current & banked points they’ll be able to use during home resort booking & current years points that they’ll be able to bank.
Who pays for maintenance fees is negotiable. IME most sellers ask buyers to pay for current years maintenance fees if the contract has all current years points & sells early in the calendar year. So a contract listed now would likely expect the buyer to pay the upcoming 2026 MFs.
Renting the points to cover the maintenance fees is always an option if your friend is dealing w/ a short term liquidity problem & would prefer to keep the contract. I think the brokers pay a % of the rental when a reservation is made which would likely cover the maintenance fee bill & then they pay the remaining % when the party renting the points checks in.

 

[Sandisw]

Just a reminder,:;details about the contract can not be shared so please don’t ask the OP.

OP, if you get any PMs asking for those details, please report it to admins.