Jaco Blù Private Residences Blog

More and more people are choosing fractions: Wall Street Journal writer Ron Lieber writes in a January 19, 2005 article: “Fractional ownership, where buyers purchase a share of an expensive asset, and pay the seller fees to handle the scheduling and maintenance, is a growing force in the market for vacation properties.”

The idea of buying only a piece of a vacation residence makes a LOT of sense. Why buy 100 percent of something you’ll only use a few times a year? Instead of renting, you can buy co-ownership interests in vacation properties, affording you ample time to vacation, as well as all the benefits of real estate ownership.

Timeshares are similar, but they typically are for only 1-2 weeks of vacation time each year. Timeshare ownership does not have the same benefits, as co-ownership of a larger portion of a vacation property. With a “Fractional Share”, or a “larger share of co-ownership” you enjoy more time to use a property, (1 to 3 months), and more space, owner amenities, and services. There is “real” equity ownership in a real estate asset. You have more rights as an owner.

Also, for well located properties, in desirable vacation destinations, there is significant rental income generating capability, if the owner decides to rent weeks out. There are also tax benefits to ownership. Fractional ownership is in fact, more “fee simple” in nature, than timeshare ownership.

More Services: This is an area where fractional home ownership really shines. Fractional properties generally offer full concierge services. They will make arrangements to pick you up at the airport, secure tickets to special events for you, stock your refrigerator with your favorite food, arrange tours of nearby attractions, make dinner reservations… the list goes on. At a timeshare resort, all these details are generally left up to you. Fractional residences generally have storage facilities as well, so you can leave bulky things like sports equipment there year round.

More Luxuries: Fractional residences have amenities and décor similar to that of luxury hotels. The typical fractional residence has amenities like flat-screen TVs, granite countertops and high-end appliances in the kitchen, and whirlpool baths. And most fractional residences are located in first-class vacation resorts and ownership typically includes access to golf courses, spas, beaches, or ski slopes that are on or adjacent to the resort property.

You Get What You Pay For. Yes, fractional home ownership costs more than your typical timeshare. But when you break it down into cost per week, it’s less expensive, than a high-end timeshare, and there is much more value.

Furthermore, if the property is well located, and in an appreciating marketplace and generates significant rental income for owners who rent out their weeks, then fractional ownership is a very affordable, and a smart way to go.

Medical doctors have done many studies and at the same time, vacation resort developers have demonstrated that vacations are never a luxury, but a necessity.

For example, 12,338 middle aged men were studied*, all of them were at risk of heart desease, the results of the study, throwed that, those men who were not taking vacations in a regular base, were prone to die around a 9 year period earlier than the men who did. The study also showed women who are not used to take vacations frequently, have around eight to nine times the risk of suffering a heart attack. “Social and psychological aspects of peoples lives are directly related to their physical health.” said the researcher.

Vacations have a positive impact on everyone. Usually, workers who do not take all their vacation periods, experience a high level of feeling overwoked.

Vacations are the greatest tool to reduce the stress of every-day life. Stress affect the inmmune system, cadiovascular health, emotional well being and quality of life in general. On the other hand, vacationing allows people to have a lot of physical activities and fun. Biking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, rappeling and other activities may not offer a lot of rest but, are really healthy activities. The purpose of a good vacationing time should be to relax both mind and body from the daily activities.

Taking Vacations and its Personal Benefits

The simple planning of a vacation is only the first step. Even though it can be as exiting as the vacation itself. It makes us have something to look forward to. Vacations are a very, very good way to increase the quantity and quality of time spent with family, relatives, friends and of course, loved ones. May be that is why honey moons were invented. Discovering new sides of one another can be achieved while being in a totally new place. While a vacation trip may vary from a couple of days to one or two weeks and even more, the personal benefits of this trip can last a lifetime.

*Research by: State University of New York in Orsweg. Researcher: Elaine Eaker.