Over time, as you can see, unlike many other timeshare programs, the cost of
DVC ownership has "magically" gone up and there is a brisk resale market with DVC memberships being very, very liquid. As a result, people have seen the value of their membership increase. At the same time, the amount of time left on that ownership has gone down. At some point, inevitably, DVC will no longer be able to increase the cost/point because it will just not make financial sense for purchasers any longer - because of the decreasing amount of time left and DVC will ultimately be forced to begin lowering the price/point.
People who bought at the very beginning of DVC have seen the value of their ownership basically double over the past 10 years as well as having been able to get 10 years use out of their property. Though DVC is not supposed to be an investment like real estate, that is exactly what it's turned out to be for many folks.
Personally, when the price/point tops out, we have absolutely no problem selling. That day will come - could be when DVC forces the price/point to $100 or maybe when the realization hits that there's only 30 or 20 years left - who knows? It is unbelievable to think that in a business where the value of almost every timeshare depreciates enormously from the purchase price, one sees its owners sitting on gains.
We love our DVC membership and it serves our purposes well currently. But, in these economic times, if I'm sitting on a few thousand dollars in profit, after having gotten years of use out of my ownership, it doesn't make sense in my mind not to take the profit when the time comes.
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Is it not a good value? Did you have trouble booking the room you wanted when you wanted it? Are the regular hotels better places to stay? Any sort of information would be appreciated, as I don't want to buy into the program only to want to sell my share a few years later
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It is a good value. If you have stayed in a Disney property and paid the going (or even discounted) nightly rates, you would find that the entire cost of a DVC membership would be paid for in probably 6 to 7 years at most under normal circumstances. That basically gives you over 30 years of free stays - paying just your annual dues which is nothing compared to the yearly use you get.
Are regular hotels better? No. DVC units are much nicer, more spacious, and have more ammenities. Trouble booking the room when you wanted it? Depends when you want to go and the type of room you want, but overall there is no problem. If you're flexible, there is always something available when you want to go. If you call early enough, you can always get what you want.
Lastly, you say "I am interested in buying either a new unit in BCV or a BWV resale". I think you may have a bit of misconception of what you are buying and actually "own". You are not buying a "unit" but a contract giving you, in essence, a "right to use".
Understand there is no difference in purchasing a contract from DVC or resale - they entitle you to exactly the same things. What you do need to look closely at when going resale is what the seller is including regarding banked/borrowed points and how you need to adjust the price/point you are paying. But, in the end, with nearly a $20/point difference in purchasing between DVC and a resale, it makes less sense than ever to buy from DVC.
Signed,
the one Rickyams calls a "pedestrian"
