How to Buy DVC Resale: The Complete 2026 Guide
A straightforward walkthrough of the resale process — from finding the right contract to receiving your Disney membership card.
Why Buy DVC Resale Instead of Direct?
Disney sells DVC directly at prices from $165 per point (Hilton Head) to $310 per point (Grand Californian). The resale market prices the same points at a significant discount. On a typical 150-point contract, resale buyers often save $10,000 or more compared to buying direct. See current listings for today's resale prices.
What do you give up buying resale? Resale buyers do not receive the Blue Card membership tier, which provides access to Disney Collection hotels and Concierge Collection properties through DVC. If you plan to stay exclusively at DVC resorts at Walt Disney World, Aulani, or Vero Beach, the Blue Card provides little practical value. If you want to use DVC points at non-DVC Disney hotels, buying direct becomes more relevant.
For most buyers focused on Walt Disney World villa stays, resale offers the same core product at a significantly lower price.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy DVC Resale
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1Decide on a resort and contract size Before you browse listings, decide which home resort you want. Your home resort determines where you can book at 11 months (vs. 7 months for all other DVC members). If you primarily want Saratoga Springs, buy Saratoga. Keep in mind: resale buyers of older resorts cannot book at Riviera, Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or Disneyland Hotel unless they purchased specifically at one of those resorts. On contract size: a studio for one week requires 70-130 points depending on season. A one-bedroom for one week takes 130-220 points. Most first-time buyers start with 100-150 points. Browse current listings to see what's available at your target resort.
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2Work with a licensed DVC resale broker A broker lists contracts on your behalf, verifies that contracts are clean (dues current, no liens), coordinates ROFR submission, and handles the escrow and closing. Broker commission is paid by the seller, so you pay nothing extra as a buyer. DVC Sales is a licensed Florida real estate broker specializing in DVC resale. Browse our current listings or contact us to discuss what you are looking for.
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3Evaluate contracts and make an offer When evaluating a contract, look at: price per point, number of available points for the current use year, any banked or borrowed points, the use year (when your annual points are credited), and the contract size. Make sure dues are current. Offers below asking price are common, especially on contracts that have been listed more than 30 days. Your broker will advise on fair market value and help you structure a competitive offer.
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4Sign the purchase contract Once offer and counter-offer are settled, both buyer and seller sign a purchase agreement. At this point you typically put down an earnest money deposit (often 10% of purchase price) held in escrow. This deposit is refundable if Disney exercises ROFR.
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5ROFR period (30 days) The broker submits the signed contract to Disney. Disney has 30 days to exercise Right of First Refusal — meaning Disney can buy the contract from the seller at the same price you agreed to pay. Disney uses ROFR strategically to remove contracts priced too far below market. If your contract is priced near market value, Disney almost always passes. When Disney passes (waives ROFR), you receive written confirmation and the process moves to closing.
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6Closing (30-45 days after ROFR waiver) A title company prepares the closing documents, conducts the title search, and coordinates transfer of the deed. As a buyer, you review and sign the closing documents, then wire the remaining balance plus closing costs to escrow. Closing costs typically run $1,175-1,575 for a buyer. The title company records the new deed with Orange County, Florida and sends Disney the transfer paperwork.
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7Disney membership transfer (2-4 weeks after closing) After deed recording, Disney processes the membership transfer. They verify the contract, activate the DVC account in your name, and mail your membership card. You can begin booking as soon as the account is active in Disney's system — typically 2-4 weeks after closing. For existing DVC members, the points are simply added to your existing account.
Full Timeline at a Glance
| Stage | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Offer and negotiation | 1-7 days | Offer made, counter-offers, purchase agreement signed |
| Earnest money deposit | Immediately after signing | Buyer wires deposit (typically 10%) to escrow |
| ROFR period | Up to 30 days | Disney reviews contract, passes or exercises buyback |
| Closing preparation | 2-4 weeks | Title search, closing documents prepared |
| Closing | 1-3 days | Documents signed, balance wired, deed recorded |
| Disney transfer | 2-4 weeks | Membership transferred, account activated |
| Total from offer to closing | ~45 days | Membership activation follows ~2-4 weeks after closing |
What to Look for When Evaluating Contracts
Use Year
Each DVC contract has a use year — the month when annual points are credited to your account. Common use years are February, March, June, August, October, and December. Your use year affects how much flexibility you have for banking and borrowing points. A February or March use year is often preferred because you can bank unused points all the way through February of the following year. Matching your use year to when you typically travel can maximize flexibility.
Banked and Borrowed Points
When buying a contract, look at how many points are available for immediate use. A contract listed with points already banked from the prior year gives you more flexibility in your first year. Conversely, a contract where the seller has borrowed from next year's points means you will have fewer points available in your first use year. Always ask how many points come with the contract at closing and what year they are from.
Annual Dues Status
Confirm that all annual dues are current before closing. If a seller has unpaid dues, Disney can place a lien on the contract and those dues could transfer to you. Your broker and title company verify this, but it is worth asking directly before making an offer.
Contract Size Flexibility
One advantage of buying resale is that you can buy any size contract that a seller is listing. Disney requires a minimum purchase of around 50 points for direct, but resale contracts exist in almost any size. Very small contracts (under 50 points) are less flexible but can work well as add-ons for existing members. Very large contracts (over 300 points) offer flexibility but carry higher annual dues.
Common Questions About the Resale Process
How long does it take to buy DVC resale?
From accepted offer to closing is approximately 45 days — about 30 days for Disney's ROFR review and then closing. Disney's membership transfer after deed recording takes another 2-4 weeks, so you can typically book vacations 6-8 weeks after your offer is accepted.
What is ROFR in DVC resale?
ROFR (Right of First Refusal) is Disney's contractual right to purchase a resale contract at the same price and terms you negotiated. Disney has 30 days to decide. They exercise ROFR when contracts are priced significantly below market to prevent undervalued contracts from reaching secondary buyers. Contracts priced near market value almost always receive a ROFR waiver.
Can you negotiate DVC resale prices?
Yes. Resale contracts are listed by individual owners and prices are negotiable. Well-priced contracts attract multiple offers and sell quickly at or near asking. Contracts listed for 30 or more days often have sellers who are more flexible. Offering 5-10% below asking on a longer-listed contract is reasonable. Extreme lowball offers (20%+ below market) are typically rejected and may prompt sellers to pull the listing.
Do you need a broker to buy DVC resale?
Using a licensed broker is strongly recommended. The broker handles ROFR submission, verifies the contract is clean, coordinates with the title company, and guides you through closing. Commission is paid by the seller, so the broker's services cost you nothing as a buyer. Purchasing directly from an owner without broker involvement is risky, particularly around title verification and ROFR paperwork errors.
What are the closing costs for DVC resale?
Buyers typically pay $1,175-1,575 in closing costs. This includes title insurance (~$375), escrow fee (~$275), estoppel fee (~$150), deed recording (~$75), and Disney's resale transfer fee ($500). Closing costs are paid at closing, separately from the purchase price. Seller pays broker commission.
Can you finance DVC resale?
Yes, though options are limited. DVC resale does not qualify for Disney's in-house financing. Some buyers use personal loans, home equity lines, or specialized timeshare lenders. Interest rates on unsecured personal loans tend to run higher than mortgage rates. Most financial advisors suggest paying cash for DVC if possible, since the carrying cost of financing significantly erodes the value of resort stays.
What resorts are available resale?
All DVC resorts are available for resale purchase. However, resale buyers of older resorts cannot use their points at Riviera Resort, Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or Disneyland Hotel — those resorts are only accessible if you purchased there directly. See our listings page for what is currently available at each resort.
