How to Buy DVC Resale: Step-by-Step Guide

What You're Actually Buying

A DVC resale contract is a deeded timeshare interest: specifically, a real estate deed for a fraction of a Disney Vacation Club resort, recorded in the county where the resort sits (Orange County, FL for most Orlando resorts; Oahu, HI for Aulani; etc.).

You're buying:

A specific number of annual points that reset every year on your use year month
At a specific home resort where you get 11-month booking priority
Until a specific deed end year when the contract expires and reverts to Disney

The deed is transferable, mortgageable, and inheritable. It's real property.

Step 1: Figure Out What You Want

Before you start shopping, nail down three decisions:

How many points? Most DVC families use 100–250 points per year. A week in a standard studio at a moderate resort runs 100–150 points. A week in a 1-bedroom villa runs 200–300. The DVC points calculator lets you enter your target trip and see exactly how many points you'd need.

Which home resort? Your home resort gives you 11-month booking priority, the ability to book that resort 4 months before non-owners can. At popular resorts (Beach Club, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom), 11-month priority matters a lot. At large resorts (Saratoga Springs), it matters less. Buy at the resort you most want to stay at.

What's your budget? Your all-in cost is: ask price + ~$700–$1,000 in closing and transaction fees. Ongoing: annual dues. There is no mortgage for most resale purchases, so plan for cash or a personal loan only.

Step 2: Search the Resale Market

Resale listings come from about 10 active brokers. Rather than checking each one manually, our listings page aggregates all of them sorted by lifetime cost per point, which accounts for deed length and dues.

Filters to use when shopping:

Resort: narrow to your target home resort
Min/Max Points: filter to your target range
Use Year: if you care (December and March are the most popular; February is common for WDW visitors)
Max Lifetime Cost/pt: set a ceiling on how much you're willing to pay per lifetime point

Once you find a contract you like, click through to the broker's site to make an offer.

Step 3: Make an Offer

Contact the listing broker directly. Most DVC resale brokers have a simple online offer form or can be reached by phone. Your offer should include:

The asking price (or your counter)
Whether you want the seller to cover current-year dues
Your preferred closing timeline

Most brokers act as transaction coordinators, not traditional real estate agents. They represent both sides and just facilitate the paperwork. Negotiation happens directly with the broker relaying to the seller.

Typical negotiating room: 3–8% off list price, depending on how long it's been listed and current market conditions. Listings showing "Stripped" (low points available) have less negotiating power; "Banked Pts" listings (extra points available) often command slight premiums.

Step 4: ROFR (Disney's Right of First Refusal)

Once you and the seller agree on a price, the contract goes to Disney for ROFR review. Disney has the contractual right to step in and buy the contract at the agreed price, effectively blocking the sale.

Disney exercises ROFR selectively, typically on contracts they believe are priced significantly below market. At current market prices, most contracts at most resorts pass through without issue.

ROFR review typically takes 18–30 days. You'll hear back either "ROFR waived" (the sale proceeds) or "ROFR exercised" (Disney buys it, you start over). If ROFR is exercised, your deposit is returned in full.

Step 5: Closing

After ROFR clears, the title company processes the transfer. This takes another 4–6 weeks and involves:

Title search and title insurance
Deed preparation and recording
Estoppel letter from Disney confirming no liens or outstanding dues
Final closing documents for both parties to sign

Most closings are done remotely. You'll sign and notarize documents via mail or digital notary. Closing costs run $700–$1,000 on a typical transaction (title, recording fees, estoppel).

Total timeline from accepted offer to closing: 8–12 weeks for most transactions.

Step 6: Activation

After the deed records, the broker sends your membership information to Disney Vacation Club. Disney typically takes 2–4 weeks to activate your membership in their system.

You'll receive your Member ID, access to the DVC Member website, and the ability to book your first stay. For a December use year contract, points reset December 1. For other use years, the first reset happens on that month.

What to Watch For

Points availability: Check what points are actually available. A contract with 0 points for the current use year (stripped) means you won't be able to book anything until the next use year. Contracts with extra banked points are worth a small premium.

Deed end year: Confirm it's what you expect. For OKW especially, confirm whether it's 2042 or 2057. The deed should state it clearly.

Current dues status: Confirm no outstanding dues balance. The estoppel letter from Disney confirms this, but reputable brokers check upfront.

Resale restrictions: Contracts at Riviera (2019+) and any future resorts cannot be used at non-home resorts. Verify which category your contract falls into.

Ready to Start?

Browse all current resale listings sorted by lifetime cost per point →