One way of looking at it: VGC Direct vs Resale
- Direct 25 pts x $235 = $5,875
- Resale 25 pts x $175 = $4,375 (assuming $175/pt for a small VGC contract, if you can find it)
Difference is $1,500.
So over the 40 years life of the points, the average costs of those points for choosing direct over resale is $37.50 per year, for all the potential benefits (including food, merchandise, and ticket discounts, and access to special member events and the member cruises).
If you can afford the initial outlay, I would just do it.
ETA: The above is a simplistic approach and does not include MFs since they are the same whether buying direct or resale. Also, if you're getting 2017 points, then the value of those points, using Disney's OTU points cost of $17/pt, is $425. So, the difference drops to $1,075 ($1,500 - $425), lowering the average cost per year to $26.88. And, as a PP mentioned, closing costs should be much lower for direct (something like $150 vs $500?).