Question 1

What exactly is a co-ownership property, and how does fractional ownership work?

Accepted Answer

A co-ownership property — also called a fractional ownership property — is a luxury second home purchased jointly by a small group of owners, typically up to eight, through a purpose-built LLC. That LLC holds 100% of the property deed, and the same structure is used consistently across our global portfolio — France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the United States alike. Each buyer acquires a legally deeded membership interest in that LLC — and by extension, a genuine ownership stake in the property itself. Unlike a timeshare, your name (or your company's name) sits behind the property deed, you benefit from any appreciation in value, and you can sell your share on the open market whenever you choose. A professional management company handles all day-to-day operations — maintenance, housekeeping, pool care, and rental income when the home is not in use — so you simply arrive, enjoy, and leave.

Question 2

How is co-ownership different from timeshare? Why is it a better option?

Accepted Answer

The difference is fundamental. A timeshare gives you the right to use a property for a fixed period each year — you own time, not real estate. Your name is not on any property deed, the asset does not appreciate, and you are locked into a membership or points system that is notoriously difficult to exit. Co-ownership gives you a genuine, deeded property asset. You own a fraction of a real home through a company structure. Your name (or your company's name) appears on the deed. You share in any capital appreciation. You can sell, gift, or pass your share on to family with minimal legal complexity. You enjoy the property flexibly — from as little as 2–3 nights — rather than a fixed week every year. And a professional concierge and management team handles everything, including the option to generate rental income during weeks you are not using the home.

Question 3

How many shares can I buy, and how many days does each share give me?

Accepted Answer

Most properties are structured into eight equal shares, with each 1/8 share entitling you to around 42–45 days of private use per year — roughly six weeks. You can typically purchase between one and four shares of the same property (up to 50%), allowing you to accumulate 44, 88, 132, or up to 176 days per year. Owning more than 50% is avoided to ensure no single shareholder can dominate company decisions. If you want to own more time overall, you can purchase shares across multiple properties in different destinations. Usage is usually managed via a rotating schedule or digital booking platform that ensures all owners enjoy fair access to peak-season dates over time.

Question 4

What is included in the purchase price of a fractional ownership share?

Accepted Answer

The price of a co-ownership share is fully all-inclusive. It covers your deeded ownership stake, any stamp duty or transfer taxes, the full cost of the property purchase, renovation and refurbishment works, professional interior design, furniture and equipment, and the legal set-up of the ownership company. There are no hidden extras or surprise legal fees at completion. Ongoing costs — annual property management, maintenance, insurance, local taxes, and utilities — are split proportionally between all co-owners, keeping your annual outgoings very low compared to sole ownership of a comparable property.

Question 5

Do I pay stamp duty or legal fees separately when I buy a fractional share?

Accepted Answer

No — this is one of the key financial advantages of co-ownership. Stamp duty and notarial fees were paid once when the property was originally acquired and the ownership company was established. When you buy a share of that existing company, you are not triggering a new property transfer, so no additional stamp duty applies. All costs are bundled into the share price. This makes the buying process significantly more cost-efficient than purchasing a whole property, where stamp duty alone can represent 7–10% of the purchase price in France or Spain.

Question 6

Can I buy a fractional property share as a foreigner or non-resident?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. There are no nationality restrictions on purchasing real estate in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, or the United States — and co-ownership works through the same LLC structure regardless of country, available to residents and non-residents alike. In every market we operate in, shares are held as membership interests in a purpose-built LLC. A key tax benefit for non-residents buying in France is that the wealth tax (IFI) only applies if the net value of your French real estate assets exceeds €1.3 million. Because you own a fraction of the property rather than the whole, you could co-own a €5 million villa and still remain below that threshold — paying no French wealth tax at all.

Question 7

Can I purchase a share through my limited company rather than in my personal name?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can purchase a fractional share either in your personal name or through your own limited company, trust, or holding structure. The co-ownership company that holds the property is entirely separate from your personal or corporate finances. From a tax perspective, everything within the property-holding company is managed efficiently on behalf of all co-owners. You should speak to your own accountant about any reporting obligations in your home country — the same due diligence you would apply to any second home investment abroad.

Question 8

How long does the buying process take for a fractional ownership share?

Accepted Answer

The purchase of a fractional share is typically far quicker than buying a whole property. For cash buyers, the process from reservation to completion usually takes 4–8 weeks. This includes the reservation contract, cooling-off period, share transfer documentation (in English for our anglophone clients), and settlement. If a mortgage is involved, it may take a few months longer. Selling a share works on a similar timeline. Transferring a share to a child or family member is even simpler — it can be done in under a month, often for as little as €500 in legal fees, making fractional ownership one of the most estate-planning-friendly property structures available.

Question 9

Is there a cooling-off period after I sign the reservation contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes, buyer protections are built into the co-ownership process. In France, buyers typically benefit from two to three distinct cooling-off periods at different stages of the reservation and share-purchase process. During each window you can withdraw from the purchase without any financial penalty. All contracts and documents are provided in English as well as the local language for our international clients. This transparency and legal protection is one of the reasons co-ownership has been used by families and friends to co-own holiday properties across France and Spain for decades.

Question 10

Can I enjoy the entire property even though I only own a fraction of it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — completely. When you book your usage time, you have exclusive access to the entire property: every bedroom, garden, pool, terrace, and amenity. Co-owners rotate their stays so you will never be at the property at the same time as another owner. You are free to invite friends and family to join you, or to allow them to stay independently during your allocated time. In every practical sense, the experience is indistinguishable from whole ownership — the difference is simply the price you paid and the costs you share. You can host dinner parties, post on social media, and treat it entirely as your own home.

Question 11

How is usage time divided fairly between co-owners?

Accepted Answer

Usage is allocated through a clearly defined and fair rotation system. Each 1/8 share entitles you to around 42–45 days per year, structured so that all co-owners access high-season and shoulder-season weeks equitably over a multi-year cycle. Many properties also use a digital booking platform that allows owners to reserve specific dates, swap weeks with other owners, or extend stays where availability permits. The property management company administers the schedule and handles all coordination, so owners never need to negotiate directly with each other.

Question 12

Can I rent out my weeks when I am not using the property?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes. A number of our co-ownership properties allow owners to place unused weeks into a professionally managed rental programme. The management company handles guest marketing, booking, check-in, housekeeping, and maintenance. Rental income is returned to you directly. In high-demand destinations — the French Riviera, Ibiza, the French Alps, Colorado — rental yields can be strong enough to offset your annual running costs significantly, and in some cases generate a net return on your investment. Always confirm the rental policy for a specific property with our team before purchase.

Question 13

Who manages the property and what does that include?

Accepted Answer

Every co-ownership property on our platform is looked after by a dedicated professional property management company. Their remit covers everything: routine maintenance and repairs, professional housekeeping between every stay, pool and garden care, utility management, local tax compliance, and emergency call-out. When you arrive, the home is hotel-ready — fresh linens, stocked essentials, everything in perfect order. You do not need to coordinate tradespeople, worry about the boiler, or spend your holiday managing a property. That burden is entirely removed.

Question 14

How long can I own a fractional property share? Is it freehold?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the properties are genuine freehold assets (in France and Spain). There is no fixed end date on your ownership. You can hold your share for 10, 30, or 50 years, pass it to your children, or sell it at any time. Many of the company structures used have a 99-year legal life, but in practice your ownership is indefinite. This is a fundamentally different proposition from a timeshare or holiday club membership, which typically expire or carry heavy exit clauses. Your fractional share is a real property asset that appreciates with the underlying real estate market.

Question 15

Is the property fully furnished, and do I own the furniture too?

Accepted Answer

Yes on both counts. Every co-ownership property is delivered turnkey — professionally designed interiors, high-quality furniture, fully equipped kitchen, bed linens, towels, and everything needed for daily use from day one. You do not need to bring anything or spend a penny on fit-out. As a co-owner, you also hold an indirect ownership stake in the furnishings and equipment proportional to your share. One 1/8 share equates to 1/8 of the furniture value. This is reflected in the overall asset value of your shareholding.

Question 16

Can I buy shares together with family members or friends?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and this is one of the most popular ways people structure a co-ownership purchase. Groups of friends, siblings, or extended family members can each buy one or more shares independently, all within the same ownership company. Our professional management structure is specifically designed to remove the friction that often arises when families manage shared property informally. A clear legal framework, rotating usage schedule, and neutral management company mean relationships stay intact — regardless of how the property is used over time.

Question 17

Can I bring my own group of people to share a property with?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. If you have a ready-made group — ski friends who want a French Alps chalet, colleagues looking for a Côte d'Azur villa, or family members wanting a shared base in Italy — we can source and structure a co-ownership property specifically around your group. You arrange among yourselves who buys how many shares, and we handle all the legal, management, and logistics. The professional management layer means even closely bonded groups benefit from a clear framework that protects everyone's interests as circumstances change over the years.

Question 18

If I find a property I love, can you help me find co-buyers for the remaining shares?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you identify a property you want to co-own but need other buyers for the remaining shares, we can source them from our qualified buyer network. We require you to commit to a minimum of 50% of the total shares upfront. Critically, you do not need to wait for all shares to be sold before you can start using the property — your usage rights begin as soon as your share is created. This means you can start enjoying the home while the remaining shares are placed with vetted co-owners, rather than sitting out the process.

Question 19

How quickly can I start using the property after completing my purchase?

Accepted Answer

For properties where the company structure is already in place and the home is ready to use, you can typically begin making bookings within days of completing your share purchase — with first stays possible within weeks. If the property is still under renovation or interior design at the time of purchase, there will be a fit-out period before it is ready for use. In either case, the timeline is considerably faster than buying a traditional property, where conveyancing, renovations, and furnishing typically take six months to a year or more before you can actually enjoy the home.

Question 20

Can I get a mortgage to finance a fractional ownership share?

Accepted Answer

Yes, financing is available for fractional ownership purchases. A bullet mortgage structure is currently the most common option, where you borrow against the value of your share. The majority of our buyers are cash purchasers or release equity from their primary residence to fund the purchase — making it accessible without the complexity of arranging a new mortgage. That said, the mortgage market for fractional ownership is evolving rapidly, and more flexible options are becoming available. Contact our team to discuss the latest financing options relevant to your situation and the country of purchase.

Buying a Co-Ownership Property — FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

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Buying a Co-Ownership Property — FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

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