When Is the Best Time to Sell Your DVC Contract? Smart Timing Tips

If you’re a Disney Vacation Club owner thinking about selling your contract, timing can make all the difference. While DVC contracts hold their value better than most other timeshare options, certain times of the year or contract conditions can help you earn more money or reduce your financial obligations.

Whether you're ready to move on or just looking to offload unused points, here’s when it’s smartest to sell your DVC contract.

1. Sell Before January 15 to Avoid Annual Dues

Annual dues for DVC are typically due by January 15 each year. If you sell before that deadline and you haven’t booked any trips that use next year’s points, the new owner will usually be responsible for paying those dues.

Why this matters:

• You avoid a potentially large annual bill.
• It makes the contract more appealing to buyers who are ready to use the points immediately.

Best time to list:

Late fall through early winter (October to December) is popular for this reason. However, keep in mind that more sellers during this time also means more market competition, which may slightly reduce your price per point.

2: Sell When You Have Banked or Current-Year Points Available

If your contract has current, banked, or even borrowed points available, it instantly becomes more attractive to buyers. These contracts allow new owners to book right away, which increases demand.

Contracts without usable points (known as stripped contracts) tend to sit on the market longer and sell for less per point.

Pro tip:

Maximize your value by timing the sale before you use your points, but after they’ve become available for the current Use Year.

3: Sell After Major Resort Upgrades or Additions

Resort refurbishments or new DVC expansions can spike interest in specific home resorts. If your contract is for a resort that’s recently been:

• Refurbished (like Saratoga Springs or Old Key West),
• Expanded (such as the addition of Big Pine Key at Grand Floridian),
• Or has a new tower or building coming soon (like Island Tower at Polynesian), then you may benefit from a surge in buyer demand.

More demand = higher resale prices per point.

Even rumors of upgrades can generate excitement, so if your home resort is in the news, it might be the perfect time to list.

Final Thoughts

Selling your DVC contract isn’t always about exiting the club—it’s often about smart timing and getting the best return. To make the most of your resale value:

• Avoid paying annual dues by selling before January 15
• Keep as many points available on the contract as possible
• Watch for refurbishment cycles or resort expansions to drive demand

And remember, the right timing can turn a good offer into a great one.