Within North America, there are a number of product types that exist in the luxury leisure real estate market. They range from luxury timeshare to destination clubs all the way up to whole ownership of a vacation home. Each category of product fills a niche, and embodies its own unique benefits. They also have their differences and similarities. The information below briefly describes the various product types available in North America.

CLICK HERE to access the list of affiliates within North America.

FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP/ PRIVATE RESIDENCE CLUB

This segment of luxury leisure real estate involves the purchase of a partial interest, or share, in a high-end luxury condo or single family residence in almost every vacation destination in the world. Interests typically range from 3 weeks to 3 months of usage each year, and offers services and amenities not typically found in a true “second home” purchase. The time is generally split between seasons and provides off-season usage rights allowing for either multiple stays or sharing of the residence between other family and friends. Generally speaking, these projects are not as large as luxury timeshare resorts and evoke more of a feeling of being in a private residence.

LUXURY TIMESHARE

When compared to traditional timeshare, the luxury timeshare product appears similar in structure. The fundamental difference lies in the additional breadth of the vacation experience it offers. The properties tend to be larger in size and with more amenities than fractional projects, and with more attention paid to the quality of the accommodations and the upscale amenities than traditional timeshare.

WHOLE OWNERSHIP

Certainly, the option always exists to simply purchase a holiday home, condominium, or yacht outright. When doing so, usually it becomes the owner’s responsibility to maintain the residence, furnish it, and manage it – all of which becomes time consuming and costly.

Usually, The Registry Collection program is not involved with whole ownership luxury assets unless they are part of one of these select standardized programs we have mentioned here.

CONDO-HOTEL OWNERSHIP

A Condo-Hotel unit is a condominium sold on a whole ownership basis. An operating hotel with attendant services is a core component of the product offered.   Ownership may include the opportunity to place the owner’s unused vacation time in a rental arrangement managed by the hotel or a third party.

FRACTIONAL YACHTS

Somewhat different, but closely related to fractional ownership of real-estate is the fractional ownership of yachts or catamarans. As in fractional real estate, a person owns some portion of the year on a nautical vessel. Just like fractional real estate, fractional ownership of a yacht offers owners usage of the vessel while removing the individual responsibility of managing and maintaining the boat. 

There are a number of different programs and options that exist in the luxury fractional yachting category.  There are different types of vessels of different sizes.  Owners typically have the benefit of a crew when they use the yacht.

Typically, the fraction (number of weeks of usage) purchased and the type of boat will determine the purchase price.  Beyond that, there is usually an annual fee that covers maintenance, crew, etc.  An additional expense may include a surcharge for food and fuel (on a per trip basis).