Which is better, buy only the points we "need" or get the better $ per point deal and potentially rent some every year?

[ML_LovesDisney]

We are considering our first DVC resale purchase, and are torn between getting 150 points per year (what we think we "need") or getting a better $ per point deal, and getting 230 points per year - and potentially renting the difference (80 pts per year) to cover the additional dues. I truly think I would buy a million points if our budget would allow for that many trips - LOL. Just wanting to make the first purchase, with the fewest regrets. Has anyone every had trouble renting out their points, if they did so far enough in advance? We are looking at OKW properties, and the 2042 expiration. We will be in our mid-70's by then.
Thanks in advance!

That's tough since it does expire in a 18 years, I wouldn't want to overpay, but also I have NEVER not needed extra points LOL. I always regret not buying more. Just my experience.

 

[Steelers0854]

My take on this is new owners often underestimate the points they need by assuming they can always get exactly what they want when they want it

I couldn’t agree with this more, and it’s not so much for us under estimating what we would we would use to book a trip but how often we would go. We bought resale last year for the first time, 100 points at CCR. We thought we would go every 2 years or so. We could use and borrow. Or we could bank, use and borrow if we needed to. Well a year later, in a year we didnt think we would go at all, and we have gone twice. Plus we determined in that year that we wanted to own direct, so we just bought 150 at the Poly. I think we played it perfectly IMO for us. We bought in small, 100 points isn’t necessarily “enough” but it lets us test the waters and gave us options plus a lower more affordable buy in. Im not sure if we bought 150 or 230 we would have pulled the trigger on the Poly purchase and that would have been disappointing. Depending on HOW you made the purchase (1 contract or multiple) can make a big difference as well. Buy a 100 and a 130 then you can always sell one or both if you decide to own direct or even at another resort. 230 in 1 contract is a commitment.

You may also think you will never want to own direct. We didnt think we did either but quickly changed our minds after owning resale. So never say never and don’t paint yourself into a corner.

TL;DR: I would go with 150 or even a 100 now. Give it a year or 2 (especially if you buy a loaded contract), then you can always do a small resale add on or if you got bit by the direct bug you will feel more comfortable going that route, I see no issues with owning a little more than you THINK you will need and renting points, we didnt have any issues with that. I would just do it in a way that gives you flexibility and slow roll it.

We now have 250 points a year, no plans on selling our resale contract and couldn’t be happier

 

[Genie+]

Well a year later, in a year we didnt think we would go at all, and we have gone twice. Plus we determined in that year that we wanted to own direct, so we just bought 150 at the Poly. I think we played it perfectly IMO for us. We bought in small, 100 points isn’t necessarily “enough” but it lets us test the waters and gave us options plus a lower more affordable buy in. Im not sure if we bought 150 or 230 we would have pulled the trigger on the Poly purchase and that would have been disappointing.

I couldn’t agree with this more lol. Very similar to our journey.

 

[sethschroeder]

OKW you realize you are primarily going to rent at 7 months as SAP right? People are not looking to book OKW at 11 months for a premium.

Additionally you realize OKW annual costs are somewhat high right? Do you prefer OKW or are just looking to save money?

I would honestly go with a different resort, do math for 10 years on total cost (dont worry about adjusting for inflation to keep it simple), and then compare the resorts you have on your list. Then look at the 150 point vs other contracts to see if your original question still matters.

 

[sethschroeder]

small resale add on

Will come with a premium it should be outlined likely.

You can always sell a resale contract and come out okay likely as long as you are being aggressive on getting a good price upfront. One thing you can do before reselling is strip the contract by either using or transferring the points.

 

[wilkydelts]

Following up what @sethschroeder wrote. I could be proven wrong but I do not think you will have a big market for only 80 OKW points at the 11 month or 7 month window as SAP points.

 

[IMMkXLVI]

I would not buy extra DVC until we see if there are going to be any rule changes or enforcement against rentals that will impact owners who want do rent regularly, even if it’s to offset some dues.

I doubt very much DVC wants nor will nix "renting" as a whole, not without completely overhauling the point banking policy and probably the conversion systems as well. (to Disney cruises or Interval Int) otherwise it will become restrictive to everyone when the goal was to curtail commercial renters. It should be very easy for Disney to identify those that are commercial renters. They have all the data they'd ever need to easily see who does it for "gain" and who does it to not lose point value.

Some changes may come to the policy of renting but nothing that I'd imagine impacts people looking to rent unused points to prevent loss.

As for the OP, I'd get the extra, maybe not 80 but something. Just to act as a buffer for when timing doesn't allow the economical reservation. Renting them, I suspect will always be a thing.

 

[Chili327]

OKW you realize you are primarily going to rent at 7 months as SAP right? People are not looking to book OKW at 11 months for a premium.

Additionally you realize OKW annual costs are somewhat high right? Do you prefer OKW or are just looking to save money?

I would honestly go with a different resort, do math for 10 years on total cost (dont worry about adjusting for inflation to keep it simple), and then compare the resorts you have on your list. Then look at the 150 point vs other contracts to see if your original question still matters.

All of these are good questions to answer before you jump in.
Unless you just want to be an OKW owner, there are better resorts to own financially.

 

[Sandisw]

I doubt very much DVC wants nor will nix "renting" as a whole, not without completely overhauling the point banking policy and probably the conversion systems as well. (to Disney cruises or Interval Int) otherwise it will become restrictive to everyone when the goal was to curtail commercial renters. It should be very easy for Disney to identify those that are commercial renters. They have all the data they'd ever need to easily see who does it for "gain" and who does it to not lose point value.

Some changes may come to the policy of renting but nothing that I'd imagine impacts people looking to rent unused points to prevent loss.

As for the OP, I'd get the extra, maybe not 80 but something. Just to act as a buffer for when timing doesn't allow the economical reservation. Renting them, I suspect will always be a thing.

I used to think that but honestly, I am no longer sure that the clamp down coming won’t impact those who rent regularly. I have a feeling it’s going to be stricter than most expect.

Best case it does not…worst case it does.,,I certainly would not advise anyone to buy with the intent to rent yearly.

Right now, what constitutes commercial is a high threshold. With all the complaints they are getting, and with the statement that social media and the internet has changed the rental landscape, I will not be surprised to see that threshold become much lower.

 

[TCRAIG]

We are considering our first DVC resale purchase, and are torn between getting 150 points per year (what we think we "need") or getting a better $ per point deal, and getting 230 points per year - and potentially renting the difference (80 pts per year) to cover the additional dues. I truly think I would buy a million points if our budget would allow for that many trips - LOL. Just wanting to make the first purchase, with the fewest regrets. Has anyone every had trouble renting out their points, if they did so far enough in advance? We are looking at OKW properties, and the 2042 expiration. We will be in our mid-70's by then.
Thanks in advance!

So - speaking as someone who has ‘been there-done that’…at your age - I would NOT buy at OKW…don’t get me wrong - I LOVE OKW - but the lack of elevators makes it a no-go for me - I just can’t do the stairs…and I’m not a fan of ground floor rooms cause it’s Florida and they have lots of unwanted critters that have been known to visit ground floor rooms.

 

[BlueGreen5]

I used to think that but honestly, I am no longer sure that the clamp down coming won’t impact those who rent regularly. I have a feeling it’s going to be stricter than most expect.

Best case it does not…worst case it does.,,I certainly would not advise anyone to buy with the intent to rent yearly.

Right now, what constitutes commercial is a high threshold. With all the complaints they are getting, and with the statement that social media and the internet has changed the rental landscape, I will not be surprised to see that threshold become much lower.

I know this too is a hot-button issue, and I don't mean for it to cause debate here (there are other forums for that that are mentally exhausting), but just look at what they recently did with DAS. They appear to have no problem making extreme shifts in policy when their revenue is impacted and/or there are a large number of complaints. Commercial renting fits the same pattern - people were/are making a living abusing a well-intended policy, one that's grounded in the law, and their doing so is certainly causing complaints and, in theory, eating into Disney revenue.

Given this recent history, I agree with you that it's possible we see a hugely impactful shift, with little notice, that makes renting much harder, and Disney taking the position that they are still complying with the minimum requirements of the law with the new policy even though many non-abusers are adversely impacted.

I'm very glad we didn't overbuy on points, especially with how appealing the new Island Tower looks.

 

[jason423]

While I think having the extra points is always a good thing I wouldnt buy them with the intention of renting, especially if my home resort is OKW. If it were me I would either pay a little more per point and look at SSR which may have more salvage value if you decide to sell at some point or a longer use timeframe if you had family member who could use it, or I would shop around for the OKW contract and buy the best 150 point contract you can find and see how it goes from there. Odds are if you need the extra points the price of OKW will only drop over time, so a 150 point contract now and a 75 to 100 point contract in a few years may wind up being the same as buying the 230 today and you;; wind up with far more flexibility and would avoid having to rent right off the bat