Fractional property is making headlines again, this time in the House and Garden section of the Financial Times. In Saturday’s feature, property journalist Graham Norwood features some of the top British and American fractional property and luxury vacation club developers, including Marriott Vacation Club, Barrasford & Bird and the very exclusive fractional lifestyle specialists, the Hideaways Club.

Norwood highlights the fact that although fractional sales have been hit by the recession, there is still growth as consumers adopt the fractional lifestyle as a solution to the tighter financial climate. He says:

“Fractional ownership might have taken a slow path but, seen through the prism of a global downturn, it has become a strikingly attractive and more popular option.”

As Norwood also points out, there’s a fractional property to suit every pocket, from ultra-luxurious to ultra-affordable. While buyers of high end, higher priced fractional sometimes build up a “stable” of seasonal homes – e.g. the Aspen ski lodge for winter, the Tuscan townhouse for spring, the Irish golf-and-spa property for summer and the Spanish villa for autumn - fractionals are also a viable solution for those wanting to get a foot onto the property ladder.

During a downturn they’re an ideal first investment for the risk averse or those unwilling to splurge on a holiday home during uncertain times, yet unwilling to give up the place in the sun dream.

“Fractional ownership increasingly attracts premium hotel and property management brands such as De Vere and Marriott, seeking well-heeled buyers wanting stakes in homes in sunny destinations worldwide,” explains Norwood. “A little lower down the scale, FO has received a predictable fillip from recession-conscious purchasers who favour an affordable stake over the capital outlay and running costs of a “whole” holiday home.”

A number of fractional ownership developments and options feature in the article, including the sought-after residences in London’s Mayfair marketed by Marriott Vacation Club at 47 Park Street which appeal to affluent buyers looking for a base in London.

www.marriottvacationclub.co.uk

Another global operator, The Hideaways Club, has 27 fractional ownership villas worth £35m in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean and aims to add 15 villas to its portfolio annually. Its alliances with Banyan Tree Private Collection and Equity Estates offer members access to a further 20 properties.

www.thehideawaysclub.com

Firstlight International’s fractional homes at Irish golf resort the K Club are also mentioned in the feature.

The company offers one-eighth titled fractions from €160,000 for a 1,560 sq ft duplex apartment and up to €325,500 for a 3,800 sq ft detached house. Owners are entitled to six weeks’ ownership for life, facilities at a five-star hotel, become members of the golf, spa and country clubs and can exchange vacation weeks with 40 similar-standard properties worldwide with Interval International.

Matthew Spence, senior partner at Firstlight points out that the economic downturn, in one way at least, has been “good” for the fractional industry. He is quoted in the article, saying “The recession has created a real opportunity by cleaning up the industry, as many developers with marginal products have not survived. The best product, well explained, will sell well.”

www.firstlightkclub.com

The official association for the fractional ownership industry is www.fsota.org and more information about fractionals is available on the website.