Thinking about taking the plunge and buying resale

[stargazertechie]

Hi all,

Long time lurker/first time poster on the DVC boards. I've done my homework and run the numbers (several times) and FI and I are at the point where DVC membership is starting to make more and more sense. I do have a couple of questions.

1) We will be buying resale- no question about that. My question is for a first DVC contract, is there a minimum number of points that you have to purchase. I am under the impression that if you buy directly from DVC, you must purchase a minimum of 150 points. Does the same hold true if you buy resale but it is your first/only contract.

2) Besides the booking window, is there any advantage to buying points from WDW properties (AKL, BLT, etc) vs Hilton Head or Vero Beach? We tend to travel in the off-season anyway due to work and school schedules, and the price difference is rather lucrative. We're also not picky, as FI has never even stayed on-site before, but he knows that once I start staying on-site again (Honeymoon in 4 months!!!!!) I won't want to go back to the RoachCoach Inn

3) Any advice for us first-timers slowly sipping the DVC kool-aid?

 

[CMOORE185]

No minimum buy in with resale. HH and VB are cheaper to buy but MF's are alot higher than WDW resorts, so take that into account. I think the best resale deal is SSR because of 2nd lowest MF's at WDW and does not expire until 2054. HH and VB expire in 2042. If you want to stay at HH in the summer though it is good to have points their because very hard to book at 7 month window.

 

[backyardponder]

Here's the annual dues per point. They are from a post by WebmasterDoc. The VB(s) column is basically for original owners at VB and not available to anyone else, even through resale.

When you say you travel during off season due to school schedules, remember, most school breaks are high season at the House of the Mouse.

Year OKW VB(s) VB HH - BWV VWL -BCV SSR AKV -BLT VGC

2010 4.87 5.18 6.61 5.57 5.36 5.20 5.15 4.46 4.95 3.78 3.94
2009 4.73 4.97 6.41 5.36 5.21 5.04 5.00 4.34 4.85 3.67 3.82
2008 4.56 4.71 6.04 5.16 5.04 4.87 4.80 4.21 4.71
2007 4.40 4.39 5.63 4.98 4.85 4.73 4.63 4.12 4.62
2006 4.24 4.12 5.27 4.34 4.69 4.61 4.48 3.98
2005 3.86 3.84 4.87 3.86 4.41 4.35 4.27 3.83
2004 3.68 3.67 4.67 3.70 4.25 4.22 4.18 3.80
2003 3.49 3.37 4.37 3.69 4.11 4.05 3.97
2002 3.22 3.33 4.17 3.49 3.92 3.80 3.77
2001 3.13 2.70 3.98 3.32 3.83 3.63
2000 3.16 2.87 4.07 3.25 3.94 3.62
1999 3.16 2.82 3.99 3.18 4.02
1998 3.17 2.76 ---- 3.20 3.94

 

[chalee94]

3) Any advice for us first-timers slowly sipping the DVC kool-aid?

if you can take advantage of the 11 month window, buy where you want to stay.

if you are just happy to get a room onsite (and can book more than 7 months out), buy a resale contract at SSR (or maybe OKW).

don't bother with VB or HH unless you intend to stay there on a regular basis.

 

[stargazertechie]

As in off-season I do mean that we travel during the Value seasons. My university has a longer break that allows for travel during value, and I also have time off in September/October due to internship requirements.

 

[disneynutz]

Do yourself a favor and take the time to keep reading as part of your homework. Your questions are typical of a first time buyer and have been answered on the DIS at least once a week.

The more you know, the better the price. More importantly, your added knowledge will better help you determine if the DVC is for you and your family.

Bill

 

[ToddyLu]

I would purchase a small resale and add on from there. You can start as low as 25-30 sometimes if you can find the contract. You can always call TSS and put your name on their email list for available contracts as they get them. The small ones go really fast. from what I understand. They are also easier to sell in the future. You are more apt to sell a 30 pt contract than a 200 pt contract. There are so many ifs about VB, and HHI. I know they must be amazing resorts but if a hurricane comes through there could be problems. I would pick a WDW resorts in fact I am partial to AKV.

 

[AirGoofy]

As in off-season I do mean that we travel during the Value seasons. My university has a longer break that allows for travel during value, and I also have time off in September/October due to internship requirements.

DVC doesn't quite use those terms, but they have 5 classes of seasons. If you go to the top of the page and click the DVC point charts for all 9 resorts, you will see the seasons they are divided in. For the most parts, those don't change dramatically, but a change in dates may move you from one season to the other, which would effect the amount of points needed for a stay. Spring Break (April) seems to be the highest season for them all, but VB and HHI are different on their busiest seasons. And, there are some times, like December at WDW, that resorts are difficult to get in w/o the 11 month window.

We did a resale contract at SSR and were happy with the $/ point and low dues. And, we tend to travel in the summer and in October, which are not the peak times, and have school-aged children, so that will not change for quite some time. We enjoy staying at different resorts, and plan to stay at all the DVC resorts.

Two pieces of advice: (1) If you prefer a certain area of Disney - Epcot resorts or MK resorts - and do not want to take a risk they may not be available, then purchase a contract for that specific resort. (2) Purchase a resale w/o financing. We made it a priority and set aside a "DVC fund" for about 10 months and the purchased it outright.

 

[chalee94]

And, there are some times, like December at WDW, that resorts are difficult to get in w/o the 11 month window.

just wanted to amplify this. all of december is peak time for DVC...many members book at exactly 11 months out since the point costs are (currently) lower and the decorations are up.

october is also a busy season for the epcot resorts (BCV and BWV) due to food&wine at epcot. but i suspect SSR and OKW would still usually have availability at 7 months.

if you wanted to book at 6-7 months out and find availability, september should be good time for that IMO...

 

[backyardponder]

As in off-season I do mean that we travel during the Value seasons. My university has a longer break that allows for travel during value, and I also have time off in September/October due to internship requirements.

The "value" season, which, in DVC terms is their "Adventure Season" is often one of the busiest time for DVC. For example, the first 2 weeks of December.

Like many others, I recommend you buy where you want to stay so you can at least book something (and possibly change it later) at the 11 month window.

 

[CMOORE185]

stargazertechie, Just another perspective, I own at HH and SSR and travel during busy times and have great success booking my non home resorts at the 7 month mark.

 

[littlestar]

DVC could limit you to your home resort. So if onsite at WDW is where you want to be, I wouldn't buy Vero or Hilton Head. Plus, Vero or Hilton Head could have a special assessment for hurricane damage with their locations near the ocean. Vero's dues are quite high. The only way I would buy an off site DVC would be if I wanted the 11 month booking window at that resort.

 

[Sandisw]

I agree with many others that buying at VB or HH with the sole purpose at WDW may not turn out to be the "deal" that you think it will be. The upfront costs are less, but the MF's can quickly even that out and those are the bulk of costs associated with DVC.


To me, if you are flexible where you want to stay, but think you might be able to book trips 11 months in advance, go with a WDW resort. SSR seems to be the best deal right now and it does get you a place to stay where you want to be--not at the beach or SC.

I know that some have great luck at the 7 month window, but it is not a guarantee. If you start to have trouble and realize that you have to book closer to the 11 month window to get what you want, that won't even be an option if you own at VB or HH.

However, if you own a WDW resort, you know you can take advantage of booking on site and then just change at 7. If what you want at a different home resort is not available, then, at the very least, you would at least have a place to stay.

DVC is a big investment and to me, trying to save a bit of money upfront without thinking of all the possible drawbacks down the road would be a mistake.

We bought in at BLT because we wanted to be there. Sure, we could have saved a bundle upfront to buy elsewhere, but knowing that I would have to chance things at 7 months was not worth the risk, so I spent more know to ensure my happiness later.

Keep asking questions as that is great way to learn so you can look at all the pros/cons and then make the best decision for you!

Good luck!

 

[NH Disneyfan]

I bought OKW with a contract that ends 2042
I later realized that SSR is a better deal per point with a contract that expires 2054

HOWEVER - I then realized I don't want a contract 40-50 years out. Maybe I'll be able to sell one, maybe not. I feel better knowing mine expires in 33 years and I and my kids aren't on the hook for more time with maintenance fees. That's a long time away. Annual maintenance will likely be $25 per point by then. LOL

So, decide what is best for you. New purchases are for 50 years. Wow....that's a long time and a lot can (and will) change!

 

[arthur06]

3) Any advice for us first-timers slowly sipping the DVC kool-aid?

Quit sipping and start chugging, your gonna get there anyway!