Is there a "best" time of year to buy resale?

[ErinInCT]

I keep hemming and hawing at buying in to DVC. We rented points in Sept & figured we would not be going back for a couple years. Dh & I began to discuss what we would do for our 2005 family trip & he said "Why don't we go back to DisneyWorld"? I'm like, "huh, isn't this the guy who's arm I had twist to go this past year?" So maybe we'll be more frequent visitors (especially with dd's 4 & 1).

Can anyone tell me if there is a time during the year that it seems like the prices are cheaper (or is anywhere from $70-$80/point ALWAYS the going rate & anywhere closer to $70 then $80 is a pretty good deal)?

Do the points values increase yearly (for ex, it was 150 points for our 2 bedroom at VWL during Sept - in 5 years could this go up to 200 points forcing me to buy more points)?

I know people have done Excel spreadsheets to determine the break even point. If I go every other year during the "cheapest" season, how long does it take to break even (say 75 points at OKW)?

I know I should just bite the bullet & DO IT. I know you would all say you have no regrets!! I can always sell later if we get moved someplace far away or we tire of Disney (personally don't ever see this happening for me, but you never know about the rest of the family - plus we can always chose a different vacation thru II right?).

Thanks for listening to me try to make up my mind! I'm sure you have all "been there" at one time or another.

 

[Zurg]

The best time is when you see a contract at the resort you want for the number of points you are looking for.

All the rest is just trivial details.

 

[ErinC]

Erin,

I don't think that there is a best time to do a resale. IMHO the price is only going to go up from here on out.

Point requirements will not ever change within a week. This means if a 2 bed. cost 270 points in Adventure season (just ex.) it will always cost 270 points from now until the DVC contract ends. DVC can adjust weekday vs Weekend points, but the week has to remain the same amount. (note: they have rarely ever done this)If one goes up, something has to come down to make it even. I hope I am making sense.

I'm sure others will provide you with value details. I think the common answer or test is, if you go to Disney every year, or every other year, and you stay in a Moderate or above, than DVC can be cost effective for you. Frankly, I never ran the numbers, I love Disney, and We like to vacation there, and I figured it was a way to prepurchase my accomodations. Now I happen to be staying in a nicer place than I was before. In a few years my loan to DVC will be paid for, and I'll be getting that room for the cost of my maintenance fees, and it will be a great bargain. I don't have to shop for code rates and hope that I get one. I also don't have to worry about inflation at Disney hotels, because my accomodations are locked in. Hope this helps. Best of luck in your decision. Erin

 

[rinkwide]

Originally posted by ErinInCT
I should just bite the bullet & DO IT.

Actually, considering you indeciciveness, I think you should just keep renting. Let someone else front the money while you pay-as-you-go and get ultimate flexibility. $10 per point is a steal. It's similar to the price of a financed point purchase and the market availability for rental points seems high enough (and may well continue to increase) keeping the price reasonable for a long, long time.

 

[ErinInCT]

Well, I tried to do a quick spreadsheet & if I can get 75 points at OKW around $75/point & pay cash, I may break even around the 5th trip. I would pay $1500 for my 2 bedroom at VWL Sun - Thurs which most likely will go up eventually. Now I just need to double check with dh to see if he sees 5 trips in our future (I see that and many more!!) & then I think I can convince him. It would be nice to not even have to think about paying the $1500 & then only think about tickets, food & airfare! Plus we get discounted tix thru dh's work (GM) and can save on food costs with the kitchen.
Hee hee, I can justify anything!!

 

[crisi]

You'll look long and hard to find a contract below 150 points - and pay a premium. 150 points is the original purchase minimum (actually 230 WAS the purchase minimum at OKW), and the below 150 resales are add ons - fairly rare and they get snapped up fast.

The other thing to know is that while points at DVC resorts are stable, point costs at non-DVC options do change.

 

[dis-happy]

Just a note--don't forget to factor in the cost of maintenance on your points each year. Currently around $4. per point (less at OKW, but I don't have the exact number, certainly someone else will chime in). This cost will rise over the years, but there is a yearly cap.

In your case (75 points), you'd pay an additional $300. (less, this is figured at $4. per point) in January.

It is possible to get a smaller contract, I was able to snap up a 60 point BWV add-on. Closing fees are high, though, $400. It only made it worthwhile in my case because there were 2003 banked points.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Since I purchased I've looked at resales from time to time. The purchase price seems to fall in the winter. "Fall" in the sense that it might be slightly cheaper...

ps. don't be fooled by the cheap vero beach prices. they sport the highest maintenance fees.

 

[missyndda]

We started looking at DVC in Feb. 1999...DH and I finally bit the bullet and bought resale around this time in 2002. We paid cash on 350 pts. at BWV for $62/pt. plus reimbursed seller for maintenance fees already paid, so really looked like $65 to Disney during ROFR. I believe the price through Disney then was $79/pt. minus $5/pt., if you gave back that year's points.

I think sales are light this time of year as people need their money for the holidays. As an accountant and Disney lover, it is one of the best decisions we have ever made. Not that we would ever sell, but I love the fact that the price keeps going up. We feel like we got a bargain!