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Our dvctalk list sponsor is Shontell Crawford (pictured to the
left at Saratoga Springs). Shontell has been reselling the DVC
since 1997 and is an active DVC member herself. She knows the "ins
and outs" of the program and how to answer any questions buyers may
have when interested. You won’t find better service anywhere in the
industry! Shontell recently
talked to us about her career and business.
How did you first get involved in selling DVC resales?
Selling the DVC was a natural
progression after I got my Real Estate License in 1997. I
have been around the timeshare industry through my family
for many years and saw the benefits resales offered to both
buyers and sellers. Most sellers need a company they can
trust with reasonable fees and the buyers want to be able
to afford timeshare - which isn't always possible buying
directly from the developer. Resales have always been
win-win for both parties and rewarding for me to be able to
help the individuals involved. Selling the Disney Vacation
Club on the resale market is a pleasure because the program
is one of the best within the industry.
We'll have more questions about DVC in a moment.
First, where were you born and did you visit Disney World
often as a child?
I was born and raised in Greenville, SC.
My Grandfather actually helped with the wiring of
Cinderella's castle so our family got to got go to the
first "Cast Member" day when the Magic Kingdom opened....I
was 2 years old. My only other family visit to Disney was
when I was 4 years old. I remember absolutely "loving" my
Donald Duck hat because Donald's bill was fat and squishy.
I have a picture from that trip in my office now (pictured
below) My Mom moved us to Orlando when I was twelve and I
became a "regular" from that point forward.
I understand you worked for Disney in the past - tell us
about that.
I moved back to Orlando after attending College at Coastal
Carolina near Myrtle Beach, SC. I got my first job as
a Cast Member at the Pompano Grille in Lake Buena Vista.
One of the great things about Disney is that you can work
for the company for a long time, yet try different jobs to
see which suits you best. I was with the company for 5
years and worked in multiple locations during that time.
Each position contributed something different to my overall
growth with the best part being the training in guest services I
received. I learned giving people more than they expect and
doing it cheerfully will always be rewarding at the end of
the day.
What was your favorite job when you worked for Disney?
Each job was great for various unique reasons, but I have
to say I appreciated working at the Jazz Company at
Pleasure Island most. I was able to
spend time with guests and get to know them on a personal
level. I was exposed to some great music and
developed an appreciation for a genre I would have
otherwise missed completely.
Let's discuss your business some more. What are the
advantages of buying DVC through the resale market compared
to buying direct from Disney?
Typically, the main advantage in buying a DVC by resale is
the savings. Even with closing costs, most Members save
$10-$12 per point which can add up to thousands of dollars
on some packages. Another advantage would be buying your
"favorite" home resort that Disney may be sold out of
completely and no longer offering to the public. For some
people that also means lower annual dues. Old Key West and
Hilton Head currently have the lowest annual fees which can
significantly save the owner money over 38 years! Finally,
resales offer people who can't afford Disney's minimum 150
point package the opportunity to become a Member with as
few as 50 points when we have them available. Many of my
first time Members started with just 100 points.
Could you give us an example of the differences in price
between a resale and buying from Disney?
Current resales can be as low as $65 per point, while
Disney is currently at $95 per point. That is a $30
difference per point! Even when resale prices are higher
and closing costs are added, a buyer should save about
$10-$12 per point. For a person buying 200 points - that
means $2,000 to $6,000 in savings!
What is an average price of a unit at Old Key West on
the resale market (price per point)?
Old Key West tends to average about $70 per point on the
resale market with a weekly 1 bedroom cost of between 160
to 296 points, which depends on the time of year one is
traveling. Points charts can be found on our website (www.dvcbyresale.com)
which details the daily and weekly point cost at each resort.
What is Disney's current selling price for Saratoga
Springs?
Disney is charging $95 per point and requiring between 182
to 316 points for a 1 bedroom.
What's the difference in the maintenance fee between
these two resorts?
The difference is about .12 per point with Old Key West
being the lower at $3.68 and Saratoga being $3.80.
Saratoga Springs has a later expiration date on the
contract than the other
DVC resorts. Have you seen this affect the resale prices of
the older DVC
resorts (those with a contract that concludes in 2042)?
Resale prices have not been affected yet. Disney has the
right of first refusal on all contracts and to date they
are maintaining the value of the other properties through
the buy back.
Aren't most timeshares sold "for life" and not with an
expiration date like DVC?
Yes, that is correct.
Yet DVC hold its value better than most other timeshare
properties. Why is that so?
I believe DVC holds its value due to a few factors:
Disney's right of first refusal prevents the value from
dropping on the open market.
The product is superior to most timeshares due to the
flexibility implemented when it was originally designed.
Supply and demand prove that the more of a product
available the lower the price. Typically only about 1% of
owners are selling their DVC, creating a demand market for
resale buyers and therefore a higher market price.
There are a number of companies who deal with DVC
resales. Why should
a potential buyer purchase a DVC resale from you?
I chose to specialize in resales of the Disney Vacation
Club when I started my business because it is such a great
product and I understand it well beyond what other Brokers
may claim. Someone considering ownership in the Disney
Vacation Club can feel confident buying from me because I
have been reselling since 1997, I am a Licensed Real Estate
Broker, and most importantly - a DVC Member myself. Buyers
can feel comfortable knowing I will help them through not
only the entire resale process, but also any questions they
may have about the Disney Vacation Club and how it works. I
am blessed to receive many referrals to friends and family
from previous clients, one of the best compliments I can
receive.
Thanks Shontell. If someone wants to contact you
about DVC or resale questions what is the best way to get
in touch with you?
I am easily reached on our toll free phone line
1-800-844-4099 and through
email
24 hours a day.
1-800-844-4099
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