Is it worth it to buy resale this year?

[vacay77]

Or is it better to wait until next year? I found a listing for the Grand Californian that I'm interested in, but it looks like 115 points need to be used by this year (I think.....it says for 2020, 35 points are available and 80 points are banked). We definitely wouldn't be using any of the points this year. So given that, is it better to just revisit this issue next year?

 

[sethschroeder]

Worst case the points don't get used. Better case you can rent them out. Best case you can use them.

Just make sure in the offer you state you are not paying at MFs on the points for this year as you are unlikely to use them.

 

[vacay77]

Worst case the points don't get used. Better case you can rent them out. Best case you can use them.

Just make sure in the offer you state you are not paying at MFs on the points for this year as you are unlikely to use them.

Thank you! What does MF mean?

 

[HHISand]

Maintenance fees (the annual dues).

 

[sethschroeder]

Thank you! What does MF mean?

Maintenance Fees

Its the yearly payment you have on the contract. It normally is covered by who has or will use the points. Just make sure to account for all MFs that are needed to be paid or not paid to get to what your real final cost is. It might make sense to pay the MFs if the contract is "cheap".

 

[vacay77]

Maintenance Fees

Its the yearly payment you have on the contract. It normally is covered by who has or will use the points. Just make sure to account for all MFs that are needed to be paid or not paid to get to what your real final cost is. It might make sense to pay the MFs if the contract is "cheap".

Thank you!

 

[striker1064]

VGC is such a unique animal that if a contract comes up that fits your UY, is the right size, is a price you are comfortable with paying, and you are in a position to buy, it's better to buy now. VGC is a small resort and there are not that many contracts out there, and it is not necessarily going to see a dip in pricing.

That being said, if you know you won't use those points this year and they'll expire before you can use them, that does change things. I'd probably roll the dice and try to rent/transfer them IF all of my other conditions above were met. But renting is not a guarantee right now.

 

[vacay77]

VGC is such a unique animal that if a contract comes up that fits your UY, is the right size, is a price you are comfortable with paying, and you are in a position to buy, it's better to buy now. VGC is a small resort and there are not that many contracts out there, and it is not necessarily going to see a dip in pricing.

That being said, if you know you won't use those points this year and they'll expire before you can use them, that does change things. I'd probably roll the dice and try to rent/transfer them IF all of my other conditions above were met. But renting is not a guarantee right now.

I decided to put in an offer. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[tweetykl]

I put in an offer on VGC today also.

I decided to put in an offer. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[vacay77]

I put in an offer on VGC today also.

Good luck! Have you received a response yet? I haven’t heard anything yet.

 

[jbreen2010]

Hi there! I am a newbie that has been looking into buying DVC on resale. I was reading that there are “perks” if you buy directly through Disney. Few questions if anyone wouldn’t mind sharing...I’ve been searching forums and resale sites but still a little confused.

1. what are the “perks” buying direct though Disney. I see $ per point is significant higher through Disney. I guess you can use points on a Disney cruise or get discounted shopping? Anything else?
2. Some locations have “renewal options”. What are the options to extend past day 2057?
3. I know we are in the middle of a pandemic, but how difficult is it to get a reservation at various resorts once you own the points? Say I wanted t buy 100-200 points - are the studios and one bedrooms consistently “sold out” throughout the year?
4. If on resale market, can I also use points say in Hilton head and Hawai’i?
5. Are there any other perks or discounts to being a DVC that I should take into account when considering to buy? Does Disney offer slightly reduced park entrances or anything? Looks like you can use the magic express and still link through my Disney experience.
6. It looks like the MFs are different by resort - so could you buy one of the resorts with a lower maintenance fee and still be able to book at any property you want? Looks like resales might not be able to book riviera (which I am okay with).

sorry for the long post...accountant here looking to build out my spreadsheet to see if this makes sense for me.

 

[CastAStone]

Hi there! I am a newbie that has been looking into buying DVC on resale. I was reading that there are “perks” if you buy directly through Disney. Few questions if anyone wouldn’t mind sharing...I’ve been searching forums and resale sites but still a little confused.

1. what are the “perks” buying direct though Disney. I see $ per point is significant higher through Disney. I guess you can use points on a Disney cruise or get discounted shopping? Anything else?
2. Some locations have “renewal options”. What are the options to extend past day 2057?
3. I know we are in the middle of a pandemic, but how difficult is it to get a reservation at various resorts once you own the points? Say I wanted t buy 100-200 points - are the studios and one bedrooms consistently “sold out” throughout the year?
4. If on resale market, can I also use points say in Hilton head and Hawai’i?
5. Are there any other perks or discounts to being a DVC that I should take into account when considering to buy? Does Disney offer slightly reduced park entrances or anything? Looks like you can use the magic express and still link through my Disney experience.
6. It looks like the MFs are different by resort - so could you buy one of the resorts with a lower maintenance fee and still be able to book at any property you want? Looks like resales might not be able to book riviera (which I am okay with).

sorry for the long post...accountant here looking to build out my spreadsheet to see if this makes sense for me.

1. Discounted APs at WDW including access to the Gold AP even if you live outside of Florida. Ability to use points for a variety of other Disney activities, which people here will tell you is an inefficient use of points. Access to the DVC lounge at Epcot. A variety of discounts. Access to Moonlight Magic events at WDW.
2. No locations currently have renewal options. Each resort has it's own expiration date, except Old Key West which effectively has 2 - 2042 for most resale points (but not all) and 2057 for direct purchases and resale contracts labeled "Extended". Don't expect to be offered an extension in the future.
3. It depends on the resort. Whatever you see posted elsewhere and from googling, expect it to be harder in the future due to the stock of points building up in the Pandemic. Studios are harder than 1 bedrooms. Cheaper options like Value rooms at AKV and Standard rooms at Boardwalk book up almost immediately for much of the year. You'll need to be planning 11 months out, which is when booking opens. If you can't do that, DVC may not be for you.
4. Yes, assuming you can find availability. Owners have 4 months of exclusive booking time at their home resorts (11 months out for home resort owners, 7 months out for other DVC owners). HHI sells out most of its key season to its owners. Aulani sells out a lot of room types to it's owners as well during the busy season. You may need to be flexible on dates and you definitely shouldn't expect to find the lowest priced studios available at either when it gets to the 7 month booking window.
5. See #1.
6. Yes, many people buy Saratoga Springs for this reason. Make a reservation at 11 months out at Saratoga and then try at 7 months to switch it somewhere else if there is availability. Just know that if all of the other resorts are sold out at 7 months, you'll be at Saratoga Springs. And you are correct - you cannot use resale points to book Riviera.

 

[jbreen2010]

1. Discounted APs at WDW including access to the Gold AP even if you live outside of Florida. Ability to use points for a variety of other Disney activities, which people here will tell you is an inefficient use of points. Access to the DVC lounge at Epcot. A variety of discounts. Access to Moonlight Magic events at WDW.
2. No locations currently have renewal options. Each resort has it's own expiration date, except Old Key West which effectively has 2 - 2042 for most resale points (but not all) and 2057 for direct purchases and resale contracts labeled "Extended". Don't expect to be offered an extension in the future.
3. It depends on the resort. Whatever you see posted elsewhere and from googling, expect it to be harder in the future due to the stock of points building up in the Pandemic. Studios are harder than 1 bedrooms. Cheaper options like Value rooms at AKV and Standard rooms at Boardwalk book up almost immediately for much of the year. You'll need to be planning 11 months out, which is when booking opens. If you can't do that, DVC may not be for you.
4. Yes, assuming you can find availability. Owners have 4 months of exclusive booking time at their home resorts (11 months out for home resort owners, 7 months out for other DVC owners). HHI sells out most of its key season to its owners. Aulani sells out a lot of room types to it's owners as well during the busy season. You may need to be flexible on dates and you definitely shouldn't expect to find the lowest priced studios available at either when it gets to the 7 month booking window.
5. See #1.
6. Yes, many people buy Saratoga Springs for this reason. Make a reservation at 11 months out at Saratoga and then try at 7 months to switch it somewhere else if there is availability. Just know that if all of the other resorts are sold out at 7 months, you'll be at Saratoga Springs. And you are correct - you cannot use resale points to book Riviera.

thanks so much - extremely helpful!

 

[tweetykl]

Yes, they called back an hour or so later and got the paperwork rolling. It was DVC Store. Good luck.

Good luck! Have you received a response yet? I haven’t heard anything yet.

 

[vacay77]

That’s great! I’m still waiting - mine was through a different company.

 

[tweetykl]

Hopefully you get things going soon. I hope you get it.

 

[vacay77]

I’ve left a message with the company. Maybe the seller is waiting to see if they get a better offer? Does anyone know if I can rescind the offer if I don’t hear back soon? For example, what if I see another listing that I’m interested in?

 

[poofyo101]

I’ve left a message with the company. Maybe the seller is waiting to see if they get a better offer? Does anyone know if I can rescind the offer if I don’t hear back soon? For example, what if I see another listing that I’m interested in?

You can

 

[MICKIMINI]

I ran into this issue about two weeks ago. We made an offer on a Sunday and besides an auto reply, didn't hear anything Monday. Late Monday afternoon I sent an email to the broker - still no word after a couple hours. I then left a polite message that we were looking at other contracts and were ready to rescind. First thing in the morning, the seller accepted our original offer. We had worked with the broker before and that is the only reason we waited a bit. It was well worth it as it was a 100 point BRV almost half off what a direct contract is.

I guess it mostly depends on how much you want the contract. Giving a deadline may be smart on your next offer if you don't get this one. Good luck!

 

[vacay77]

I ran into this issue about two weeks ago. We made an offer on a Sunday and besides an auto reply, didn't hear anything Monday. Late Monday afternoon I sent an email to the broker - still no word after a couple hours. I then left a polite message that we were looking at other contracts and were ready to rescind. First thing in the morning, the seller accepted our original offer. We had worked with the broker before and that is the only reason we waited a bit. It was well worth it as it was a 100 point BRV almost half off what a direct contract is.

I guess it mostly depends on how much you want the contract. Giving a deadline may be smart on your next offer if you don't get this one. Good luck!

Thank you! It's been 24 hours but if I don't hear back by tomorrow, I'll just send them an email, letting them know I'm rescinding the offer. That's a good idea about giving a deadline the next time around.