The Steps To Buying A Fractional Ownership Property
We believe that buying a share in a luxury second home should be as seamless and enjoyable as staying in it. Our process is designed to be transparent, straightforward, and completely tailored to your needs.
Here’s how we guide you from your initial dream to holding the keys.
Initial Consultation & Discovery
Your journey begins with a conversation. Whether you reach out via email or a direct phone call, our first step is to listen. We take the time to understand your vision for a second home—are you dreaming of a ski-in, ski-out chalet, a sun-drenched beach villa, or a chic city apartment?This initial consultation allows us to:Identify your ideal lifestyle and location.Pinpoint the properties in our portfolio that best match your criteria.Answer your preliminary questions about the fractional ownership model.
Detailed Proposal & Due Diligence
Once we have a shortlist of properties, we provide you with complete clarity. We want you to be fully informed and confident in your decision. We will walk you through every detail, ensuring there are no surprises.This includes:A comprehensive overview of the property's legal structure and ownership documents.A transparent breakdown of all finances: the share price, annual running costs, and property taxes.A thorough explanation of the reservation process and the owner usage schedule.
Experience the Property
Seeing is believing. To help you make the right choice, we arrange a personalized viewing that suits your schedule.In-Person Visit: We can schedule a private tour on-site with a local agent who can showcase the property and the surrounding area.Live Virtual Tour: If you're unable to travel, we can host a comprehensive virtual visit, guiding you through every room and answering your questions in real time.Exclusive Overnight Stay: For certain properties, we can arrange for you to stay the night. There is no better way to get a true feel for the home and experience the lifestyle firsthand.
Secure Your Share & Become an Owner
Once you've made your decision, the purchase process is streamlined and secure. We handle the complexities so you can focus on the excitement of becoming an owner.Closing on your share can be done in two ways:In-Person: By visiting the notary in person to sign the deed of sale.Remotely: By using a power of attorney, which allows us to complete the transaction on your behalf if you are unable to travel.Upon completion, you are officially a legal co-owner with a deeded share in the property. You can start planning your stays, enjoying your new home, and even generating rental income from your share if you choose.
Not sure which home fits you best?
Ready to own that dream property?
Get in touch with our team to secure your share today.
Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) about fractional ownership
Fractional ownership, also called co-owership, is a method of acquiring a deeded share of a high-value asset, most commonly a luxury property. Instead of buying a whole property, you purchase a fraction of it (usually 1/8 but can be 1/4 on very low share price), which makes it a real estate asset that you legally own. This model reduces the entry cost and shares ongoing expenses like maintenance and taxes among a small group of co-owners (that is one of the main problems when owning a second home, not factoring in the running costs year in year out). It is designed to align the cost of a second home with your actual usage, providing access to more premium properties than you might otherwise afford.
While both models involve shared use of a holiday property, they are fundamentally different. The primary distinction is the nature of the ownership. With timeshare, you own nothing, just “time”… With fractional ownership of your second home, your name is on the deed and you can even transfer to your descendants for generations to come.
| Feature | Fractional Ownership | Timeshare |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | You own a deeded share of the property itself. It’s a real asset with equity. | You only purchase the right to use the property for a specific time each year. You do not own the real estate. |
| Property Value | Your share can appreciate in value along with the real estate market, and you can sell it at any time. | Timeshares typically depreciate and are notoriously difficult to resell. |
| Number of Owners | Typically has a small number of owners, usually between 2 and 8, ensuring less wear and tear and greater availability. | Can have up to 52 owners per unit, one for each week of the year. |
| Usage Time | Ownership provides six weeks minimum or 1.5-6 months of access per year, depending on the size of your share (you can legally own up to 50% of the property). | Usage is generally limited to a fixed week or two annually. |
| Property Quality | Generally involves larger, higher-end luxury homes or villas with premium amenities. | Typically consists of one or two-bedroom units in larger resort complexes. |
Yes. Because fractional ownership grants you a deeded interest in the property, your share is a real asset that you can sell on the open market at any time. If the property’s market value has increased since your purchase (premium real estate in premium locations appreciates better over time), the value of your share will also have appreciated. This provides an exit strategy and the potential for a return on your investment, which is a key advantage over timeshares.
Usage rights are directly tied to the size of the share you own. For example, a 1/8 share typically grants you access for about six weeks (1.5 months) per year, while a 1/4 share provides around three months. Scheduling is managed through a fair and equitable system, often via a user-friendly app, to ensure all co-owners get access to the property throughout the year, including peak seasons and holidays. With fewer owners than a timeshare, there is greater flexibility and availability. Did you know that in France/Spain, for example, personal use of holiday homes is on average 35 days a year? That is less than a 1/8th share (42-45 days).
After the initial purchase of your share, you are responsible for a portion of the property’s annual running costs (costs that you need to pay as well when you own 100% of the property). These expenses are divided among all the co-owners and typically include:
Property taxes
Insurance, alarm
Utilities (electricity, water, internet, cable TV)
Maintenance and repairs
Management fees for professional oversight and services (service charges for pools and garden in a condo, for example)
This shared financial responsibility makes owning a luxury property more predictable and affordable, as you avoid bearing the full burden of these costs alone.
The only extra costs when dealing with fractional ownership can be cleaning after each stay so that the property is spotless for the next co-owner to enjoy. However, most clients nowadays like to use a cleaning service anyway, even if they own 100% of their property. The property management fees are also standard when you own a property abroad.