Brief History Of Fractional Ownership Properties

Fractional ownership is rapidly growing as anto upper middle-income households.
alternative to full ownership of vacation homes.In response to a desire for more use of an
Fractional vacation homes are not a new concept.upscale vacation property than is offered by
Vacation homebuyers have, for decades, splittimeshare, but without the cost and responsibilities
ownership and use of second homes to defrayof a wholly-owned second home, fractional
costs for vacation properties that are often usedinterest in luxury condominiums are experiencing
infrequently. Historically, the one-quarter fractionalstrong untapped demand.
vacation home has been the time-tested resortThe luxury fractional home buyer can often times
product and has sold successfully for many yearsafford a wholly owned vacation home, but may
to unrelated parties. In these developments,have difficulty justifying the investment due to
however, services, project amenities, andinfrequent use. The fractional buyer wants
management are often minimal, particularly at theextensive amenities (near a beach, golf coarse or
lower and mid-range of the market.ski resort, a fitness center, club room, barbeque
Within the last few years, a new and refinedarea, luxurious pool, Jacuzzi and landscaping, bikes,
variation of the fractional vacation homekayaks and laundry facilities and hotel services
ownership has taken root. This new concept is(daily maid service, on-site maintenance and
evolving rapidly with accelerating interest from themanagement) that are usually not available with
market. The new fractional product is an upscalewholly owned homes or condos. The fractional
luxury home that often incorporates a privatebuyer is a repeat visitor to the resort area in
residential club (PRC) to appeal to the affluentwhich the property is located, often visiting more
buyer at the highest end of the household incomethan once per year. Many upscale fractional
scale (Ritz Carlton - Hyatt - Four Seasons). Thereownership resorts have arrangements for
are also new mid-priced fractional products beingreciprocating trading privileges among their owners
developed that are designed and priced to appealfor like kind facilities at other locations.