An important update in the world of DVC resales has recently appeared on the Disney Vacation Club website. This has revealed a notable change for future resale buyers and sellers. Beginning January 1, 2026, all resale contracts will be subject to a new $500 DVC Contract Administration Fee (CAF) at closing.
How Will The New Fee Affect the DVC Resale Process?
Although there is a new fee associated with the transfer for the DVC property, the resale process remains similar. As mentioned on their website, the resale steps for DVC as of January 1st, 2026, include:
- Find a buyer on your own or with the help of a licensed real estate broker.
- Once the seller finds a buyer, they must submit a fully executed contract for sale to Disney Vacation Club for review at least 30 days before the scheduled closing date.
- If Disney Vacation Club waives the right of first refusal, the property can proceed with closing. All current dues, fees (including the new $500 Contract Administration Fee), and outstanding loan payments must be paid at closing.
- The closing company must send a copy of the recorded documents to Disney Vacation Club Member Administration for processing. From there, Member Administration will update the membership records to reflect the new owners.
The only additional step in the resale process is that someone must pay the DVC Contract Administration fee. It is still unclear whether the buyer or seller will pay the fee. Traditionally, the buyer and seller decide who will cover specific costs related to the sale.
What DVC Buyers and Sellers Should Consider Now
If you plan to buy a resale contract after January 1st, budget the estimated $500 in closing costs and prepare to discuss it during negotiations. Or, act fast on your purchase of a resale contract to avoid the fee entirely.
If you are selling, you will want to take the new fee into consideration when creating your pricing strategy for your property. You may also want to consider covering the fee to help attract buyers.
Potential Impact on the DVC Resale Market
This additional fee by Disney Vacation Club could shift the resale market in a few ways. Negotiations between buyers and sellers over who will pay closing costs and fees may become more common as there is no standard for who will pay this new fee. Prices for DVC contracts may shift as sellers navigate how to factor the cost into their pricing or cover it as an incentive for buyers. Buyers who must cover the fee may see a higher effective cost per point when factoring in the $500, which could be a big deal for smaller point contracts. However, although this fee may reduce some of the financial advantages of buying resale, it remains much cheaper than buying direct in most cases.
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