Is it "odd" to buy 276 points?

[Tara]

I'm just curious - I usually see mentions of "round numbers" of points - 200, 250, etc. but never oddball numbers like the one I'm purchasing. We started at 240, then considered 260, then 270 before realizing that 276 seemed like the "magic" number for maximizing our options for a 1br in the 3 travel seasons we would be most likely to use. It even gives us the option of MK view for a week in 2 of the seasons we like and for 6 days in the next most "expensive" season. Or it gives us the option of a week in a SV 2br during our favorite season (Adventure). As you can tell, I spent some serious time with the point chart...

I guess it's silly to stick with 276 and not just add 4 more points to make it 280, but I feel like I have to draw the line somewhere. I figure that the room nights are rarely going to add up to a "round number" anyway, so it doesn't make a difference.

So, any other oddball point people like me?

 

[thesupersmartguy]

I bought 28.

 

[Dean]

I've owned 270, 232, 333, 50 & 100 (4*25). All were resale except the last. My suspicion for most odd size contracts is there is a reason behind it where people have worked out exactly the number of points needed for a given trip situation. IMO it's reasonable to do so for larger units and higher seasons but foolish (if you have a choice) to do so for smaller units and/or the lowest seasons. But it does depend on the situation specifics. One who owns 200 or more points can usually make things work easily over time even if they need more points for their trips. There are easy ways to stretch points by avoiding weekends, paying cash for weekends or even doing part or all of a given trip sans points. I would generally build in about a 10% cushion on the number of points one expects and for smaller contracts looking at lower seasons and smaller units, I would make that a priority, esp if looking at OKW or standard view options as your reference.

 

[Blahnde]

I'm just curious - I usually see mentions of "round numbers" of points - 200, 250, etc. but never oddball numbers like the one I'm purchasing. We started at 240, then considered 260, then 270 before realizing that 276 seemed like the "magic" number for maximizing our options for a 1br in the 3 travel seasons we would be most likely to use. It even gives us the option of MK view for a week in 2 of the seasons we like and for 6 days in the next most "expensive" season. Or it gives us the option of a week in a SV 2br during our favorite season (Adventure). As you can tell, I spent some serious time with the point chart...

I guess it's silly to stick with 276 and not just add 4 more points to make it 280, but I feel like I have to draw the line somewhere. I figure that the room nights are rarely going to add up to a "round number" anyway, so it doesn't make a difference.

So, any other oddball point people like me?

I personally have even number contracts, but I see no reason why not to buy exactly what you want (within DVC's limits, of course.)

The reason I am responding, however, is to suggest (if you have not already had this suggestion) to purchase several smaller contracts instead of one large contract with 276 points. There are serveral reasons to do this, but mainly it keeps your resale options more open and flexible. If you decide down the road that you do not need so many points for your family or you want to sell of some of your interest in one resort in order to purchase in another, if you have a few smaller contracts you will be able to. If you have one large contract you will have no choice but to sell it in its' entirety. Additionally, smaller contracts (under 100 points) tend to sell for higher per point values. It may also be easier to break it up into equal parts now to leave it to your heirs. For example, some people with 4 children make their initial purchase and subsequent add-ons in 4 equal contracts to make it easier to leave to their children later.

Having said all this, you will need to check with you guide, but I do believe that if this is your initial purchase at least one contract will have to be for the minimum buy in amount (100 or 160 depending upon resort.)

Just a consideration I wish I had realized when making our initial purchase!

Blahnde

 

[ILuvMulan]

Blahnde, that sounds like good advice. Wish someone had told me that before we bought... but I will remember that when it comes time to add-on. One question though if you do seperate contracts do you have closing costs with each one?

 

[Tara]

I personally have even number contracts, but I see no reason why not to buy exactly what you want (within DVC's limits, of course.)

The reason I am responding, however, is to suggest (if you have not already had this suggestion) to purchase several smaller contracts instead of one large contract with 276 points.

If you do this, is it all financed together or do you have separate payments as well? I would guess the maint. fees would be separate...

I honestly hadn't thought of that - I will call our guide tomorrow to ask about this option. Thanks for the suggestion! I have been reading posts about buying smaller contracts but hadn't figured out why that mattered!

 

[Blahnde]

We bought in initially years ago when DVC picked up all closing costs. Now I believe they charge them for your initial contract, but I know they do not charge closing costs for add-ons. This may actually save you money on closing costs, too. Since I believe at least part of the closing costs are a percentage and since only the first 100 or 160 points would be considered your initial contract, the rest would be an add-on(s) with no closing costs. So it would lower your overall closing costs. I also know that each contract is separate for financing, however if you have it auto deducted it will come out as one payment each month.

This is my understanding, but please check with your guide to be sure! I know you can split the contracts, but I'm just not positive about the closing cost details.

Blahnde

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree, definitely buy in at least two contracts. I'm not sure if they require that one seperate contract be at least 160 points for your initial, but if they do, you can still divide the rest into two 56 point contracts.

BTW, it's not so odd to have a number like that for points. We have an AKV add-on that is 69 points, and our friends purchased a 151 point resale several years ago.

 

[edk35]

Our original contract with SSR was 300 points divided into three 100 point contracts. Our latest add on was at AKV and we did 100 points there too. I think breaking them up is a good thing too.

 

[mmcguire]

Our resale contract was 214 pts; I guess the original owners had something specific in mind with their stays.

 

[alacazander]

We bought 182 points! I would have loved more of course but not in the budget..... but for 182 we have a week in the magic season in a studio and a MK view and that is just perfect for us right now. I suposed that is an odd amount as well.

 

[kerrik]

We have oddball numbers too! 501 at SSR & 105 at BLT (divisible by 3, for our 3 children)! Split into 3's but we only paid closing costs once and the contracts are treated as 1 when it comes to payments, MF's etc...
We purchased to much at SSR intially, but we had no idea what we were doing and we didn't know to purchase more points at other resorts to get more options for 11 months booking, and our guide never mentioned this as an option. We may eventually sell off one of our SSR contracts and pick up something else in it's place, but we have never really had a hard time getting our ressies at the 7 month point- just the occasional waitlist, which has always come through for us!

 

[hellerjw]

I think its either that new buyers assume they have to purchase/add-on in nice round increments of 5 or 10 OR that its simply easier to remember how many points you have among multiple contracts if they are in increments of 10 or so. 200 (initial contract) + 100 (add-on) + 50 (add-on) is a lot easier to keep track of than 176 + 82 + 47.

 

[edk35]

I think its either that new buyers assume they have to purchase/add-on in nice round increments of 5 or 10 OR that its simply easier to remember how many points you have among multiple contracts if they are in increments of 10 or so. 200 (initial contract) + 100 (add-on) + 50 (add-on) is a lot easier to keep track of than 176 + 82 + 47.

We didn't even really look at what we needed for all seasons when we bought in Jan. 07. We looked for Jan. and Nov. and that we had 3 kids to pass on to. So we went with 300 divided into three 100 pt. contracts. Well we also figured out soon after that we would more than likely be traveling in the summer and so we didn't have enough points without borrowing or doing some cash nights for the length of trip we wanted. We get 2brs. This lead us to add on again in Aug. of this year....another 100 points. SO......I think when people come up with odd ball numbers....they have truly figured out how much they need down to the point probably for the seasons they know they will travel in. I just think increments of 100 are easier to keep track of I guess.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

There was something my partner read (I personally didn't read it) that said that although everyone calculates dues based on the number of points, Disney doesn't actually charge more until you hit an increment of 5. So the dues on 295 would be the same as 299.

Again, he's not the best at reading these types of things so he could be mistaken, but it is interesting all the same if it is true.

 

[Dean]

There was something my partner read (I personally didn't read it) that said that although everyone calculates dues based on the number of points, Disney doesn't actually charge more until you hit an increment of 5. So the dues on 295 would be the same as 299.

Again, he's not the best at reading these types of things so he could be mistaken, but it is interesting all the same if it is true.

Not true for DVC, it's per point with no alterations. But it can be true in part or in total for some other timeshares. For example, MOST BG points are based on a combo of a base fee plus so much per point. That current formula is $290 plus 3.35¢ per point. That makes dues on 10K points over 6¢ a point and on $72K (what I have), under 4¢ a point. Of course that does go to pay for RCI on top of the Maint fees themselves. Those at a higher level of priority also get more benefits than do those at lower levels. I'm also pretty sure they do even it out for certain levels where say 6K and 7K points would be the same.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

My first DVC purchase was resale bought from TTS and it was 196 points, found that to be an odd amount. But was probably a 1 week stay at VWL during a certain time frame. I added on 29 points to bring it to 225. Then added 35 points to bring it up to 260 points, not sure how I came up with that number, then added 40 more to balance out at 300! Why, IDK, just seemed like an easy number to remember. So If I was to sell, it would be a bunch of odd amounts!!!!!

 

[homedangelo]

I'm just curious - I usually see mentions of "round numbers" of points - 200, 250, etc. but never oddball numbers like the one I'm purchasing. We started at 240, then considered 260, then 270 before realizing that 276 seemed like the "magic" number for maximizing our options for a 1br in the 3 travel seasons we would be most likely to use. It even gives us the option of MK view for a week in 2 of the seasons we like and for 6 days in the next most "expensive" season. Or it gives us the option of a week in a SV 2br during our favorite season (Adventure). As you can tell, I spent some serious time with the point chart...

I guess it's silly to stick with 276 and not just add 4 more points to make it 280, but I feel like I have to draw the line somewhere. I figure that the room nights are rarely going to add up to a "round number" anyway, so it doesn't make a difference.

So, any other oddball point people like me?

STOP AND CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. From a resale standpoint: If you ever choose to sell your points, chances are you will be able to move small units (50 - 100) fairly quickly. Above 200, it starts slowing you down. So just have the initial purchase of 160 point, and add on as many 25 or 50 point as you wish.
2. Also consider buying into two different resorts. The incentives will be different and you will have the option to choose your home resort with 11 month lead over any families to whom the chosen resort is not their home resort.

I initially purchased 350 for Saratorga - huge nut to carry and I suspect to unload; and two separate, and smaller contracts for the BLT.

 

[Tara]

STOP AND CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. From a resale standpoint: If you ever choose to sell your points, chances are you will be able to move small units (50 - 100) fairly quickly. Above 200, it starts slowing you down. So just have the initial purchase of 160 point, and add on as many 25 or 50 point as you wish.

Already there. I'm not interested in a whole bunch of tiny contracts, but have my order re-written to split it into 160 and 120. I figure that if I do want to sell some, 120 won't be difficult to sell IF I end up wanting to do that.

2. Also consider buying into two different resorts. The incentives will be different and you will have the option to choose your home resort with 11 month lead over any families to whom the chosen resort is not their home resort.

I initially purchased 350 for Saratorga - huge nut to carry and I suspect to unload; and two separate, and smaller contracts for the BLT.

Right now the only other resort I'm even remotely interested in is BCV (or maybe BWV), and I plan on adding on 50-70 points at BCV soon. (Well, in getting on the wait list soon. Who knows when I'll get the points!)

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Not true for DVC, it's per point with no alterations. But it can be true in part or in total for some other timeshares. For example, MOST BG points are based on a combo of a base fee plus so much per point. That current formula is $290 plus 3.35¢ per point. That makes dues on 10K points over 6¢ a point and on $72K (what I have), under 4¢ a point. Of course that does go to pay for RCI on top of the Maint fees themselves. Those at a higher level of priority also get more benefits than do those at lower levels. I'm also pretty sure they do even it out for certain levels where say 6K and 7K points would be the same.

I asked him this morning, and yes, he was wrong. He pulled out the point example chart and thought that just because they didn't write each point increment, that the cost per point was based on the increments they provided.

Not that it matters in terms of the cost as it's a negligible difference (when you're talking about thousands upon thousands of dollars in ownership and dues costs, whats another $20 - $25).