some questions: how hard is it to sell? can you sell at any time? can you buy extra points if you ran out one year? what's resale vs direct? around how much are dues? does it expire?
If you're interested in purchasing DVC, I would suggest you visit one of the kiosks(if you're going to be in WDW) or going to the website and call them so they can send you the information. I can't answer the resale question because I'm very happy with my membership, but there are websites that specialize in DVC resales. The amount you pay in dues depends on which resort you choose and how many points you have at that resort. I believe your contract at most resorts expires after 40 years. DVC could tell you exactly.
Never plan or assume that you can sell. Plan on purchasing as if you will never get a dollar back. If your mindset is that "well if I don't care for it, I'll sell it" I would recommend not buying until you are 100% comfortable. I have owned at BWV for longer than I can remember and have never regretted it. You need to make sure you understand and do your own research. If you are going to buy secondary market there is plenty of info on the boards about the +/-'s. I would definitely visit kiosk/website as the prior post says. Good Luck
#1 Small contracts are easier to sell. #2 Sure, you could sell at any time but if you buy direct and finance and still owe you will most likely have to sell at a loss. #3 You can buy more points if you run out but be careful because the more points you own the more your Members Fees (yearly dues). You can "rent" up to 24 one-time-use points per year if you need them to fill out a reservation but only at the 7 month mark. You can also rent points from other members or have points transferred into your account from other members. Typically $10-$14 per point. #4 Resale is the secondary market. If you would have to sell that's where you would have go sell your DVC. Disney will not buy it back. Resale prices can cost half of what Disney is selling direct. As an example Disney is asking $140 per point for AKV and resale is around $60-$65 per point. Direct is much faster, almost instantanious while resale can take 60 days or more. #5 Dues are dependant on which resort you own. For instance I own BLT points and they are $4.50 per point. FYI BLT currently has the lowest points. They go up from there, plus they go up slightly every year. #6 All contracts expire. Older resorts like OKW, BWV and BCV will expire in 2042. Newer ones will expire like 2057 and 2060. Depends.
You just joined the DIS. Take a little time and read the threads on the DVC Boards. You'll find answers to lots of your questions there. Then if you have specific questions that you don't find answers to, ask them. DVC is a timeshare. No matter what anyone says. It's just a timeshare.
I joined these boards 3 years ago to learn about DVC. It took a while to read through hundreds of threads, but I eventually learned what I hoped to learn. Once I "thoroughly" understood DVC, I decided it wasn't right for me. Now, based on my personal situation (which has changed from 3 years ago), I finally decided the time is now right, and am looking for a resale contract. Read and ask lots of questions. Don't rush into this. You'll know when the time is right (if ever). Good luck!!
