I truly enjoy getting to know the resale experts I work with and this week I had the sheer pleasure of speaking with Bert Santos of DVC Resale Market.  When I first met Bert in their Orlando office in 2016, he was all smiles and had a welcoming charm. Since then, I have come to know Bert as responsive!  He is quick to pick up to phone and always answers our mutual clients’ questions with extreme clarity and extensive knowledge of the DVC product.

 How did Bert get so knowledgeable about DVC?  25 years of experience!  Bert joined the Disney Vacation Club sales team a quarter of a century ago, with 7 of those years “working” on their Exclusive Cruise Team where he did 60 Disney cruises teaching passengers the joy and value of DVC ownership.  Now, as part of the resale side of our vacation industry since 2016, he continues to teach buyers the joy of DVC along with the savings of resales listed with DVC Resale Market.  Bert says, “he’s a frugal guy by nature and you can’t beat the savings buying resale”.

Bert’s opportunity to work for Disney Vacation Club all those years filled his 2^nd biggest passion, his 1^st being his family, of traveling.  He’s traveled to over 45 countries including a trip to Disneyland Paris.  And Bert has a big 1^st passion; a father of 5 daughters!  He and his wife of 20 years, Viviana, also get to enjoy their first baby granddaughter, Salome.  Bert’s philosophy is “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason; we should listen twice as much as we should speak”.  I like that and it probably comes in handy with all those lovely ladies in his life!

When I asked Bert what his favorite memories of Disney are, he must sort through so many.  Born in New York, but growing up in Miami, FL, he had the convenience of coming to Disney World almost twice a month as it was a quick car ride up with his dad.  He continued that park-visiting tradition with his own daughters once he moved to Windermere, FL just outside of Orlando.  He loves enjoying Epcot with his kids, he says “My family and I love to travel and actually have been to over 45 countries.  Many of these countries are featured within World Showcase so it takes me back to those memories and vacations over the years”.  The family still loves Tower of Terror within Hollywood Studios, although now Bert reports “I can only ride it once and can no longer ride it 7 times in a row like I did when I was younger”.

When asked which DVC resort is his personal favorite, he’s quick to answer “Disney’s Boardwalk Villas.  I was part of the opening team back in 1996 so I’ve enjoyed it from day one.  It has my family memories attached to it. We’ve stayed at many DVC properties, but Boardwalk is special to me.  When we stay at DVC properties, we always try to book the 2-bedroom villas so they can accommodate everyone easily”.

As a DVC expert, I had to ask Bert what his advice is was when buying a resale.  He responds “when looking at points packages to buy, booking strategies should come into play. There are a few questions that need to be answered to find the right package.  1. Will you need the 11-month window for special dates or a certain resort?  If yes, then you will need the advantage of Home Resort priority.  2. If you currently own DVC and are adding on: how often to you “waitlist”?  Are you getting the reservations you want at 7 months? Also, are you a banker, a borrower, or about right?  I can easily explain many items such as banked points, years remaining, making offers, and financing if needed.  All these pieces are important to getting the best deal on the right contract that’s why I tell clients to call me so I can help them before they spend hours on unnecessary research trying to learn on their own.  I’m here to help. “

Bert’s Colombian heritage gifts him with the ability to speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish fluently, with Portuguese and French (working proficiency), which helps his diverse group of sellers and buyers ease through the DVC process.

It’s been such a pleasure working with Bert and enjoying his sense of humor over the last 4 years, and I look forward too many more together as he is such a blessed man.

To speak with Bert Santos directly and learn more about buying or selling DVC points please email him at  Humberto@dvcresalemarket.com  or call him directly at 407-509-7933.

Vacation Club Loans serves the DVC community by providing easy and fast resale financing at all 15 DVC properties. Call 1-800-334-2334 for a quote.