Which resorts resale the fastest??

[StitchBuddy]

I am so excited! My husband has finally agreed to buy into DVC. That being said, he wants to know the resort that resales well, just incase he doesn't like it.

 

[DVCMomBLT]

I am so excited! My husband has finally agreed to buy into DVC. That being said, he wants to know the resort that resales well, just incase he doesn't like it.

All of them. Just at different prices.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Hi. Just a comment about buying and selling points. If you find that you don't like DVC, you can certainly resell. But as my financial consultant has said many times, don't ever consider this an investment. Buy DVC points because you enjoy the resorts and coming to Disney. We rarely go the parks anymore because we love the resorts so much. Try out a bunch of different resorts to see which ones you like. Then you can determine whether to buy new points from Disney or on the resale market. We have done both. Purchased AK, Aulani, Bay Lake, Boardwalk and Old Key west direct; purchased more AK, Vero Beach, Wilderness Lodge on the resale market. I wish we had more Old Key West so we could book a full week out 11 months ahead, but we have to wait until 7 months out for that one. We have talked about buying more OKW on the resale market to get the 11 month advantage, but I think 1400 points is more than enough!

Depending on whether you buy points from Disney or on the resale market, it's not likely you will get all your money back. We would never consider selling. But we use our points and we can afford the maintenance fees.

When we're gone, our kids will use them. I know a lot of people rent out points and can get most of their maintenance fees back each year that way. I have never rented out our points either...we use them all or give them away so never have to. Just go into this with your eyes wide open so everyone is happy at the end of the day.

 

[Minniesgal]

I am so excited! My husband has finally agreed to buy into DVC. That being said, he wants to know the resort that resales well, just incase he doesn't like it.

Can't you rent points and stay DVC before buying to make sure he likes it as if you sell you will lose money it's just a question of how much. We bought our points because we both love to stay DVC and I would think twice about buying if I didn't know that.

 

[disneynutz]

If you don't know what you want, I would buy SSR, use the points for a few years to experience all of the resorts, then buy where you love to guarantee availability. You can either sell SSR or keep it for 7 month booking at other resorts.

Bill

 

[DenLo]

The Villas at Grand Californian resale the fastest and are the most expensive to buy resale. But if you want to stay at WDW all the time it would not be one I should buy as you cannot book a room at the 11 month mark in Florida with VGC points.

If your DH is not sure he even will like DVC, I think renting is the way to go to try staying in different DVC resorts a few times. That way you can see how you feel about the rooms and not having daily housekeeping.

 

[Dean]

I am so excited! My husband has finally agreed to buy into DVC. That being said, he wants to know the resort that resales well, just incase he doesn't like it.

As noted, they should all be roughly the same at the right price, assuming it's not HH or VB and assuming one got a good deal up front. Regardless there will be a loss of at least 10% plus the points used, possibly a little more. I'd recommend against buying unless one is more certain, I'd agree with a rental or 2 which should give you more info to make an informed decision. Assuming DVC makes sense otherwise (can plan at least 7 months out, pay cash, value staying on property, OK with the timeshare compromises and the like), that should help him feel more comfortable or avoid a bad decision depending on the outcome. Either way it should help avoid buying then having to sell again. One of the problems with buying thinking about resale is it's likely to lead to buying a higher demand resort at a higher price. If you decide to buy, I would recommend against buying a higher demand resort than needed (like BLT, VGF or BCV) thinking about resale. Rather I'd put my effort into deciding what's the best resort for you then getting the right price IF you decide to buy. Good luck.

 

[ncurley]

Based on what I have seen most of the brokers charge a big commission (about 10% of the sales price) so something to keep in mind if you think you want to resell eventually.

 

[StitchBuddy]

Thanks for answering my question! I am thinking we will buy at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Boardwalk. We haven't stayed at either one, but I like what they have offer. us it seems difficult to get them at the 7 month mark. We have stayed at Old Key West and we are staying at Saratoga Springs this August. We will buy resale, because we only intend to use it at Disney resorts. We should have done this a long time ago! We have been to WDW 10 times, my DD is 17, but we still enjoy it and hope to take grandchildren some day. In the mean time we can just go and enjoy all the different experiences Disney has to offer.

 

[Andrew015]

I don't have any firm data to back this up, but if I had to hazard an educated guess, I would think that the smaller resorts - BCV, VWL, DGC - are some of the "faster sellers" in the resale market. The number of resale contracts available for these resorts pale in comparison to some of the larger resorts - say AKL or SSR. Pretty simple laws of supply & demand kick in at this point, and these contracts usually don't last very long once put up for sale. Naturally, any contract that is priced "right" has a better chance of moving along more quickly.

I also agree that renting points as a trial would be your best bet prior to buying in. I do not recommend buying in to "see if you like it". While you can always resell a contract, you will be hard-pressed to recoup your initial investment, especially when factoring in things like closing costs and annual dues.

• Pick the resorts that you think you and hubby will like best
• Rent points at your top 2 resorts - perhaps even for a split-stay
• If Hubby approves, start looking at resale listings and try to snatch the right contract at your favorite resort.
• Enjoy

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can't you rent points and stay DVC before buying to make sure he likes it as if you sell you will lose money it's just a question of how much. We bought our points because we both love to stay DVC and I would think twice about buying if I didn't know that.

I agree. Rent points or book directly from Disney first to see if you like it. Then buy if you do. But don't buy and then sell because he doesn't like it.

 

[Andrew015]

If you don't know what you want, I would buy SSR, use the points for a few years to experience all of the resorts, then buy where you love to guarantee availability. You can either sell SSR or keep it for 7 month booking at other resorts.

Bill

Bill,

Normally I always agree with your posts and find your advice to new potential DVC buyers to be spot-on. But I disagree with this advice. Generally speaking, SSR is a "safe buy", for a few reasons. First and foremost, SSR is a newer resort with an extended expiration date as compared to some of the older resorts, and it is reasonably priced as compared to others. For those that "don't care where they stay" or simply love SSR, it is probably the best resort to own at. However, the OP hasn't indicated either of the above, and as a result, I would not give such advice. If the OP buys SSR and decides that she and/or her hubby does not like the resort after all, then they are "stuck" without an 11-month booking window at a resort that they would much prefer to stay at. SSR typically always has availability well within the 7-month window, so unless you love SSR or simply don't care where you stay, then there's not much sense in making that your home resort.

Again, I feel the most prudent approach for the OP is to try and norrow down the resorts that they like the most, or at least "think" they will like the most, then book 1-2 trips via renting from a reputable re-seller. This approach will help to reaffirm that DVC is the right fit, and more importantly, to see if they like the resorts that they have chosen. If all systems are a "go", then start the search process for the right contract.

 

[supersnoop]

Bill,

Normally I always agree with your posts and find your advice to new potential DVC buyers to be spot-on. But I disagree with this advice. Generally speaking, SSR is a "safe buy", for a few reasons. First and foremost, SSR is a newer resort with an extended expiration date as compared to some of the older resorts, and it is reasonably priced as compared to others. For those that "don't care where they stay" or simply love SSR, it is probably the best resort to own at. However, the OP hasn't indicated either of the above, and as a result, I would not give such advice. If the OP buys SSR and decides that she and/or her hubby does not like the resort after all, then they are "stuck" without an 11-month booking window at a resort that they would much prefer to stay at. SSR typically always has availability well within the 7-month window, so unless you love SSR or simply don't care where you stay, then there's not much sense in making that your home resort.

Again, I feel the most prudent approach for the OP is to try and norrow down the resorts that they like the most, or at least "think" they will like the most, then book 1-2 trips via renting from a reputable re-seller. This approach will help to reaffirm that DVC is the right fit, and more importantly, to see if they like the resorts that they have chosen. If all systems are a "go", then start the search process for the right contract.

The idea behind Bill's advice is that the transaction costs of purchasing and selling SSR are roughly equivalent to renting points for a normal reservation.

For a 160 point contract, you're looking at $400 in closing costs, $800 in carrying costs (maintenance fees), and, if you decide to sell, $1,100 in commissions. That's $2,300 to purchase and sell the contract. Renting 160 points would cost you $2,240 at $14 per point.

So, worst case, if you hate DVC or decide you want to purchase a different resort, you're out roughly $60 and the opportunity cost from having ~$11,000 tied up for a year. Best case, you love SSR, or you're happy with seven-month availability, and you saved the expense of renting.

Since I assume anyone interested in purchasing is going to have the cash available, I think Bill's advice is great.

 

[DVCMomBLT]

The idea behind Bill's advice is that the transaction costs of purchasing and selling SSR are roughly equivalent to renting points for a normal reservation.

For a 160 point contract, you're looking at $400 in closing costs, $800 in carrying costs (maintenance fees), and, if you decide to sell, $1,100 in commissions. That's $2,300 to purchase and sell the contract. Renting 160 points would cost you $2,240 at $14 per point.

So, worst case, if you hate DVC or decide you want to purchase a different resort, you're out roughly $60 and the opportunity cost from having ~$11,000 tied up for a year. Best case, you love SSR, or you're happy with seven-month availability, and you saved the expense of renting.

Since I assume anyone interested in purchasing is going to have the cash available, I think Bill's advice is great.

Agreed. Combined with discounted AP and DVC 10% discount it will probably end up cheaper.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would rent before buying and I'm saying this because I'm also looking into buying and have been for the past year and educating myself first. Please don't think that I'm saying you are not educating yourself because that's not what I mean in any way but sometimes written words can be taken the wrong way

AKL is a very very pretty resort and I LOVE it BUT AKL is big, very big with lots of walking to get from point A to point B. I stayed there in Feb and it would take me as an adult who walks fast 20 minutes from the front entrance to my room. If I was doing it with kids who are not wasting time strolling, it would me more like 20-25 minutes. Parking, well Kidani is not so bad but Jambo, if you arrive late, you are looking at another long walk before you get to the building. Now that I am young and more then capable of walking I see no problem with all the walking but when I'm older, I'm not sure. that said, I will most likely buy there as I can't get a better view any where else and to me it's worth it. I like waking up in the morning and get myself a drink and go out in the balcony to see animals walk by. To me that worth all the walking but for other who don't necessarily care for the view, or spend little time at the resort, all the walking is not worth it.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for answering my question! I am thinking we will buy at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Boardwalk. We haven't stayed at either one, but I like what they have offer. us it seems difficult to get them at the 7 month mark. We have stayed at Old Key West and we are staying at Saratoga Springs this August. We will buy resale, because we only intend to use it at Disney resorts. We should have done this a long time ago! We have been to WDW 10 times, my DD is 17, but we still enjoy it and hope to take grandchildren some day. In the mean time we can just go and enjoy all the different experiences Disney has to offer.

Obviously every situation is different but I'd suggest you consider how you'll use the points. IMO it's more about where you'll generally stay and cost than simply where you own. If you'll stay at BWV most trips, esp if looking at standard or BW view, then I'd definitely suggest buying there. The same cannot be said for AKV unless one is focused on the concierge option routinely. Even for value rooms, I do not feel buying AKV is the best choice for most people and here's why. If one bought SSR, there's almost certain availability at AKV in standard view at 7 months out into perpetuity. And in that situation SSR will be around the same or a little cheaper than AKV when you look at all parameters appropriately even buying the extra points at SSR over the costs of a value at AKV. Then every time you use points for something else, you gain extra value by owning SSR over AKV. Also consider that the dues for AKV and BWV are among the highest in the system. At least for BWV you potentially get something for the commitment, the same cannot be said for AKV other than the remote possibility of concierge for those that care for it.

Bill,

Normally I always agree with your posts and find your advice to new potential DVC buyers to be spot-on. But I disagree with this advice. Generally speaking, SSR is a "safe buy", for a few reasons. First and foremost, SSR is a newer resort with an extended expiration date as compared to some of the older resorts, and it is reasonably priced as compared to others. For those that "don't care where they stay" or simply love SSR, it is probably the best resort to own at. However, the OP hasn't indicated either of the above, and as a result, I would not give such advice. If the OP buys SSR and decides that she and/or her hubby does not like the resort after all, then they are "stuck" without an 11-month booking window at a resort that they would much prefer to stay at. SSR typically always has availability well within the 7-month window, so unless you love SSR or simply don't care where you stay, then there's not much sense in making that your home resort.

Again, I feel the most prudent approach for the OP is to try and norrow down the resorts that they like the most, or at least "think" they will like the most, then book 1-2 trips via renting from a reputable re-seller. This approach will help to reaffirm that DVC is the right fit, and more importantly, to see if they like the resorts that they have chosen. If all systems are a "go", then start the search process for the right contract.

The idea behind Bill's advice is that the transaction costs of purchasing and selling SSR are roughly equivalent to renting points for a normal reservation.

For a 160 point contract, you're looking at $400 in closing costs, $800 in carrying costs (maintenance fees), and, if you decide to sell, $1,100 in commissions. That's $2,300 to purchase and sell the contract. Renting 160 points would cost you $2,240 at $14 per point.

So, worst case, if you hate DVC or decide you want to purchase a different resort, you're out roughly $60 and the opportunity cost from having ~$11,000 tied up for a year. Best case, you love SSR, or you're happy with seven-month availability, and you saved the expense of renting.

Since I assume anyone interested in purchasing is going to have the cash available, I think Bill's advice is great.

We've had this discussion recently. I believe that waiting and making a better decision far outweighs any benefit of buying/using now. You have to consider that buying the wrong resort has potential costs and consequences including maint fees, that buying a higher cost resort as a poor choice is far more costly than underbuying at say SSR. Taking more time also allows looking for a better priced and better situated contract as well as likely leading to a better decision. Still, eventually one has to fish or cut bait so every situation is different and incorporates personal nuances that are almost impossible to discuss here. Most people don't even know themselves at this point well enough to factor in all variables. Regardless, even if one makes exactly the same decision now vs a yr from now and rents once equivalent to a years worth of points, there's no real savings even all else being equal but there is significant risk.

Bill can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he's made 2 purchases thinking they were great that ended up not being the great choices he though they would be. I say that not to pick on him but to say that even those of us who are well versed can't control/predict all variables. Plus things change over time. Its certainly better to underbuy with SSR than overbuy. However, it's rarely a good choice to sell and re-buy from a financial standpoint so one needs to be as certain as possible on the front end.

 

[Andrew015]

The idea behind Bill's advice is that the transaction costs of purchasing and selling SSR are roughly equivalent to renting points for a normal reservation.

For a 160 point contract, you're looking at $400 in closing costs, $800 in carrying costs (maintenance fees), and, if you decide to sell, $1,100 in commissions. That's $2,300 to purchase and sell the contract. Renting 160 points would cost you $2,240 at $14 per point.

So, worst case, if you hate DVC or decide you want to purchase a different resort, you're out roughly $60 and the opportunity cost from having ~$11,000 tied up for a year. Best case, you love SSR, or you're happy with seven-month availability, and you saved the expense of renting.

Since I assume anyone interested in purchasing is going to have the cash available, I think Bill's advice is great.

I don't disptute any of the math, but allow me to ask what might be a stupid question... If the cost works out to be about the same, then why in God's name would anyone want to go through the hassle of buying SSR via resale, which involves searching for the right contract, making an offer, back & forth negotiations with the seller, hoping and praying to pass ROFR, waiting for points to be uploaded, and all of the associated paperwork that goes along with it, all of which can take tens of hours of your personal time and months to accomplish...... Not to mention going through the SAME process all over again when selling... If you can simply call up David's Vacation Rentals and presumably have rental points in a week.

 

[DVCMomBLT]

I don't disptute any of the math, but allow me to ask what might be a stupid question... If the cost works out to be about the same, then why in God's name would anyone want to go through the hassle of buying SSR via resale, which involves searching for the right contract, making an offer, back & forth negotiations with the seller, hoping and praying to pass ROFR, waiting for points to be uploaded, and all of the associated paperwork that goes along with it, all of which can take tens of hours of your personal time and months to accomplish...... Not to mention going through the SAME process all over again when selling... If you can simply call up David's Vacation Rentals and presumably have rental points in a week.

It works out the same if you are doing it ONCE. If you are going to keep the DVC, then it is cheaper to own than rent. Meaning if you want to "try out" DVC, renting points once costs the same as buying and selling it once.

 

[Dean]

It works out the same if you are doing it ONCE. If you are going to keep the DVC, then it is cheaper to own than rent. Meaning if you want to "try out" DVC, renting points once costs the same as buying and selling it once.

That's true best case scenario for a good choice made resale used only for DVC options compared to renting DVC from David's assuming no lost points and not financing. Any variation from this situation quickly reduces the value and fairly quickly moves the needle into the red. IMO one needs a 20% real savings to justify owning (that's compared to what one would have spent, not the almost meaningless comparison to rack rates for DVC) or a 20% additional value that is truly beneficial to the buyer and desired. That includes accounting for the time value of money in the process. It also assumes that DVC makes sense otherwise.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he's made 2 purchases thinking they were great that ended up not being the great choices he though they would be. I say that not to pick on him but to say that even those of us who are well versed can't control/predict all variables. Plus things change over time. Its certainly better to underbuy with SSR than overbuy. However, it's rarely a good choice to sell and re-buy from a financial standpoint so one needs to be as certain as possible on the front end.

Even well versed people can get caught up in Disney's spell and end up buying when we probably shouldn't. That's why I keep repeating the same suggestions over and over for the newbies just joining us.

BLT wasn't our best purchase but heck, we got a "free 7 day cruise" out of the deal. We also have tired of AKV just because.

My "buy SSR" position is because a rental or two can cost as much as the buying and selling fees plus you are an owner with the pros and cons of hands on ownership. You can feel how DVC works, wait on hold for 40 minutes, stay at all of the resorts, experience availability, room condition, DVC politics, the room views and locations.

The alterative is that you buy thinking that you have made a good choice of resorts and feeling bad later because the family likes a different resort better and you find it challenging to book there.

Spending thousands and thousands of dollars on DVC and Disney vacations and not staying where and when you want really bugs me. Life is too short not to get what you want on vacations and using wait lists, praying that availability will happen, calling and checking the website every day isn't what I call fun.

That's why I say buy where you love to stay, book at 11 months and be happy!

Bill