How to buy DVC resale

Purchasing a DVC resale membership can save you 30-50% compared to retail pricing while providing access to the same resort accommodations and membership benefits. The resale process involves several steps, from identifying your vacation needs to completing closing documents. With 25+ years of experience guiding families through this process, I'll walk you through exactly how to purchase DVC resale successfully.

Want to understand the full process in detail? Read our complete guide to buying DVC resale.

Step 1: Define Your DVC Needs

Start by determining what you want from your DVC membership. Consider which resorts appeal to you most based on location, theming, and amenities. A Studio at Bay Lake Tower provides completely different vacation experiences than a 2-Bedroom Villa at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort.

Calculate how many points you'll need annually based on your typical vacation patterns. Look at point charts to understand how far different point totals stretch at various resorts and times of year. A week in a Magic Kingdom view Studio at Contemporary during Christmas requires significantly more points than the same stay during Value season.

Establish your budget for both the initial purchase and ongoing annual dues. Maintenance fees add to your cost of ownership each year, ranging from around $7.50 to $10+ per point depending on the resort. Understanding the complete financial picture helps you make informed decisions about contract size and resort selection.

Understanding Resort Options

Disney Vacation Club operates resorts from Walt Disney World and Disneyland to standalone locations like Vero Beach and Hilton Head. Each resort offers distinct experiences. Polynesian Villas provides tropical theming with monorail access to Magic Kingdom, while Wilderness Lodge delivers rustic Pacific Northwest charm with boat transportation.

Consider proximity to parks, dining options, and transportation when evaluating resorts. Home resort priority gives you an 11-month booking window versus 7 months at other DVC resorts, making this selection particularly important if you prefer specific resorts or travel during peak seasons.

Step 2: Browse Available Listings

Review current resale listings across all Disney Vacation Club resorts. Each listing includes home resort, point total, use year, current point availability, and asking price. Use search filters to narrow results to contracts matching your preferences for resort, point size, and price range.

Compare multiple listings to understand market pricing. Calculate price per point to make accurate comparisons across different contract sizes. A 150-point contract at $155 per point costs $23,250, while a 100-point contract at $160 per point costs $16,000. The per-point price helps you evaluate which offers better value.

Note which contracts include points available for immediate use versus stripped contracts where you'll wait for the next use year allocation. Contracts with current year points may command higher prices but provide immediate vacation opportunities.

Evaluating Contract Details

• Home Resort Priority: Owning at a specific resort provides booking priority starting 11 months before check-in at that location.
• Use Year: This determines when your annual points are allocated and affects your booking strategy and banking/borrowing options.
• Point Availability: Check whether the contract includes banked points from previous years, current year points, or borrowed points from next year.

Step 3: Create a Saved Search

If you don't find an ideal contract immediately, set up a saved search alert specifying your criteria. You'll receive notifications when new matching listings become available. The DVC resale market sees regular activity, and desirable contracts can move quickly.

Saved searches help you discover opportunities before they're widely circulated. We've helped many families secure excellent contracts within hours of listing because they had active saved searches matching their requirements.

Step 4: Submit an Offer

When you find a contract you want to purchase, submit an offer that reflects current market conditions. Review recent sales of comparable contracts to inform your offer price. Offers significantly below asking price may be rejected, while fair market value offers typically generate productive negotiations.

The seller will respond by accepting, countering, or declining your offer. Most DVC transactions involve some back-and-forth before reaching agreement. If the seller counters, you can accept the new terms, submit another counter, or move on to other listings.

Making Competitive Offers

Strong offers demonstrate serious intent while remaining fair to both parties. Consider the contract's unique features when determining your offer. Contracts at popular resorts like Riviera or Saratoga Springs with desirable use years may warrant offers closer to asking price, while contracts at less popular resorts provide more negotiation room.

Step 5: Execute the Purchase Agreement

Once terms are agreed upon, both parties sign a purchase agreement documenting the transaction details. You'll submit earnest money, typically $500 to $1,000, held in escrow by the title company until closing. The signed purchase agreement officially initiates the closing process.

Review all contract terms carefully before signing. Verify the correct home resort, point total, use year, and any included points. Errors caught now are much easier to correct than after the transaction proceeds through Disney's review process.

Step 6: Disney Right of First Refusal

All DVC resale transactions must pass through Disney's Right of First Refusal (ROFR). Your signed contract is submitted to Disney for approximately 30 days of review. Disney can either purchase the contract at your agreed price or waive their right, allowing your purchase to proceed.

If Disney exercises ROFR, your earnest money is fully refunded and you can pursue other available listings. ROFR exercise rates vary by resort and market conditions, but most contracts pass through successfully.

Step 7: Title Work and Closing

After ROFR passes, the title company conducts research to verify clear ownership, check for liens, and prepare your new deed. You'll receive closing documents to review and sign, along with wire transfer instructions for your final payment.

The title company coordinates document execution between you and the seller. Most buyers complete their portion remotely, either through electronic signatures or notarized documents sent by mail. Final payment is typically made via wire transfer or certified funds.

Step 8: Deed Recording and Membership Activation

Once all parties have signed and final payment is received, the title company records your new deed with the appropriate county office. Orange County handles most Walt Disney World resort deeds, while other locations record with their respective counties.

After recording, the title company notifies Disney of the ownership change. Disney updates their membership records and activates your account, usually within one to two weeks after deed recording. You'll receive welcome materials and can begin making reservations.

Timeline Expectations

The complete DVC resale process typically requires 60 to 90 days from accepted offer to membership activation. ROFR review accounts for approximately 30 days, with title work and closing requiring an additional 3-4 weeks. Plan accordingly if you hope to use your membership for specific upcoming vacations.

Certain factors can extend this timeline, including holidays, title complications, or document delays. We keep you informed throughout the process and provide realistic expectations based on current conditions.

Working with DVC Sales

We guide you through every step of the resale process, from initial contract search through membership activation. Our experience with hundreds of successful transactions helps ensure smooth closings and clear communication throughout.

There are no fees for purchasers working with DVC Sales. We're compensated by a 6.9% commission paid by the seller, well below the 9.5% industry average. This structure allows us to provide comprehensive service while keeping your costs focused solely on the contract purchase price and standard closing costs.

Contact our team to discuss your DVC goals and begin searching for the right contract. We'll help you navigate the market, evaluate opportunities, and complete your purchase successfully.