hi, I am a newbie looking to possibly buy some DVC resale - is Vero beach a good way to get in? are the benefits the same? lower maintenance fees maybe? are there any advantages to buying Vero? (we would stay there if only thing avail but would also want to trade into WDW properties as well)
Somewhat duplicate but I'll add my take. As noted, do not buy VB unless you want to stay there routinely. It's cheaper per point but more on dues and in the long haul, that will cost more than the lower cost would save. Plus if WDW is the goal you'd always have to wait until the 7 month window. SSR is the best value and it's only 3 years less than AKV. It also has lower dues than AKV and along with BLT, the lowest of the system with both likely staying lower and I suspect, advancing at a slightly lower pace. For WDW SSR will be the best value just to get into the system, BLT will be second with AKV likely third. The off property options can be useful but again, only if on intends to use them a fair portion of the time. The best off property values $$$ wise will be Aulani or VB with a subsidized contract or HHI. I would not buy OKW unless one wants a 3 BR there most of the time because of the higher dues, shorter expiration and the risk of the transition from the 2042 expiration to the 2057 group.
Obviously there is more than just the financial components but it is a big portion and for many, it is a requisite. Some of the resorts have options that may be cheaper that you'd have to both own there AND reserve at exactly 11 months out. These include BWV, BLT & VGV standard and AKV value & concierge. If one would use these lower point villas around 80% of the time or more, they will cut some of the costs IF one actually buys the lower points needed. In reality most won't actually use them enough to make a difference plus if one owns say SSR, it'd still be as cheap or cheaper to use for AKV or BLT than owning there and using the cheaper rooms one couldn't get at the 7 month window. For example, the last time I did the calculation, one would have to stay in an AKV value room at least 2/3 of the time and buy less points compared to using SSR points for a standard at AKV. I haven't run the numbers for SSR vs BLT but I suspect they are similar but the principles will hold regardless. BLT will have a higher buy in cost but you'd need about 5-10% less points if one made use of the BLT standard.
Lastly, no one new to DVC without a ton of general on site stays at similar (deluxe) resorts, knows where they want to stay though many think they do, they often get caught up in the emotions. Preferences will change quickly for almost all. The most common mistakes I see with those buying in is overbuying the resort, and buying too few or too many points early on. For most situations, esp those not comparing to a 1 or 2 BR in magic season or higher, they should buy a cushion of points in the 10-20% range. More for studios, less for larger villas. And as a rule one should look to buy a full sized contract of around 150 points minimum and for most, a 25 pt retail add on contract if that doesn't put them too far over on the number of points they would use keeping the cushion in mind. I feel this is best even if they don't think they will use the current discounts, I'd think of it as insurance against future changes. For those looking at significantly less than 150-175 total the 25 pt add on likely isn't worth it unless they will know they will get significant benefit from the perks. And for those thinking a lot more points and multiple home resort, they should buy some at one resort and try it and then stretch out their purchase decision by a couple of years or more in many cases.