We just returned from our first trip and are seriously considering buying into
DVC. All advice is welcome. I like the idea of SSR resale. BUT, also like the idea of buying into AKV directly through Disney. I think either resort would be a fine choice as a home for us.
I really like the idea of the length of the contracts vs. the older resorts. You seem to get much more "bang for your buck" with the newer contracts. Is this right?
Here are some of my many questions:
1. What are the adv/disadv. of buying resale?
2. What are all of the costs involved with buying resale?
3. Who are the reputable companies selling resales?
4. What are the adv/disadv. of buying directly through Disney?
5. What are all the costs involved with buying through Disney?
6. What are the current incentives with buying through Disney?
I know--many questions. Any answers or tips would be certainly welcome!
The length of contract is a plus and will become a bigger plus if you ever have to sell as years pass.
1. Resale is one way to go. Issues you face: (a) making sure you know what you are getting, e.g., some contracts have their full allotment of annual points, others may have no current points and the owner may have already borrowed and used next year's points meaning you are buying something of somewhat lesser value than a contract with all current points, i.e., the contracts are not all equal and price you offer has to be thought out based on what is actually being offered; (b) if you need financing, you have to find that and the terms may not be as good as Disney's; (c) Disney has right of first refusal on any sale (meaning it has to be offered chance to buy at same terms offered by purchaser) and it sometimes exercises that right, particularly if it believes the purchase price is too low -- you do not lose money in the process, you just end up back where you started; (d) closing costs may or may not be more expensive than through Disney; (e) there are annual dues adjustments, e.g., you may need to pay all or the remainder of the calendar dues as part of the closing. With resale's, price and other terms are negoptiable, with Disney they are not. Note, the above are not factors that make a resale an advantage or disadvantage over buying from Disney; they just make the process different. Ultimately, you need to determine what is actually available in the contract, price, financing and closing costs involved and then compare to what Disney is offering because the fact that price might be lower than Disney does not necessarily mean overall cost is lower for any particular resale than going through Disney.
2. Resale costs involved are price per point, closing costs (it is like any other real estate transaction with closing costs including transfer fees and taxes and purchase of title insurance), and dues adjustments at closing.
3. The Timeshare Store sponsors this site (youcan click on DVC resales at the top of the page and it has long proven itself reputable. There are also some others but we are not supposed to promote them on this site.
4. For sale from Disney, you get ease of process (although resale is also fairly easy) and access to its financing. Note, whether you buy from Disney or resale, you end up the same as an owner -- resale purchasers are not treated different from purchasers from Disney. Also, with Disney, you can actually make your first reservation before closing, with resale you cannot.
5. Disney charges new purchasers closing costs and your dues are calculated from date of sale (e.g., buy September 1 and you will be paying 1/3 of the dues for the year to cover Sept to Dec.)
6. As to incentives, I am losing track of them. At AKV, I believe you currently can get $8 off the set price per point and you also get some developer points to use in first year at SSR bewcause you cannot use AKV points until Kidani opens. I may be wrong on thatbecause it can change at any time and someone may know the details.
