Tips for Buyers and Sellers

Buyers should research Disney Vacation Club properties and decide where you would like to be an owner. Factors you may want to consider include: annual maintenance dues, location of resort, amenities, when you vacation, etc.

Sellers should research prices for resales of their specific property. Our DVC Market Value tool should help speed this process for Sellers, and also help make a more informed decision. Sellers should also consider all the option for selling their property, including resale agents, DVCbyOwner.com, word of mouth, and any other medium they see as an option. Sellers should make sure they understand the pros and cons of each option. Many resale agents offer open listings, which means you can list with several agents, and DVCbyOwner.com and see who finds your Buyer first.

Once Buyers have found the listing that meets best fits their needs, begin researching prices on resales. Buyers can also use our convenient DVC Market Value tool as a starting point. View listings here on our site, visit other resale brokerages, and even contact Disney. Buyers should fully understand the pros and cons of each purchasing option.

Buyer should make an offer to purchase. Unlike traditional real estate, this can be done verbally with most Sellers or their agents. Most offers include a purchase price, a determination of who pays closing costs (usually Buyer), who pays maintenance dues (usually prorated based on how many points are remaining), and closing date.

Once terms are agreed upon, the Buyer typically completes a contract, signs it and forwards it to the Seller to be signed. The buyer also sends a personal check for earnest money (usually 10%) made out to the title company or attorney. The Buyer usually selects a closing agent (either a title company or attorney) and the completed contract is sent to the title agent.

The Seller sends the completed contract to Disney for Right Of First Refusal. Disney can take up to 30 days to make a decision on the ROFR.

If Disney steps in and becomes the buyer, the original buyer will be notified and the earnest money will be refunded.

If Disney waived their right and choose not to buy, the property belongs to the Buyer and would close in 6 - 8 weeks and final funds (remainder of sales price, closing costs, current maintenance fees) would be due then.

Once Disney waives their ROFR, the title company will do a title search on the property, order a title insurance policy and request an estopple report from Disney. The estopple report is what the title company uses to put together your final closing statements. When the closing documents are ready, the title company will send them to the Buyer and Seller via email. Both parties will need to review these documents, sign them and send the originals back with your final funds (a certified or bank check is required).

Once the closing is completed the title company will send the Buyers purchase information to Disney and it then takes Disney 7 to 10 days for them to recognize that the new buyer is the owner of those points. At that time, new owners can then call Disney Member Services as a New DVC Member and make your first reservation. You will also be eligible for all discounts and DVC member privileges.

New members will receive a numerous mailings from DVC including a New Member Handbook, membership cards and the quarterly DVC magazine, Vacation Magic. Later the title company or the Orange Country Controllers office (court house) will be mailing a certified copy of your Recorded Deed.

All the properties, whether you buy from Disney or buy resale have exactly the same benefits, discounts, use privileges and terms. Remember, when you purchase resale, your membership is exactly the same as all other members of the Disney Vacation Club.