Equity Estates Mid Year Report

By: Destination Club News
Date: August 16, 2010

Following articles on Exclusive Resorts and Ultimate Escapes and their progress through the first six months of 2010, we turn our attention to Equity Estates, one of the fastest growing destination clubs in the world, known for their combination of dazzling properties and an equity based membership model.

Growing by more than 50% in both 2008 and 2009, Equity Estates is anticipating their most successful six month window to date as 2010 draws closer to an end, all with zero members currently on the resignation list, a testimony to members' satisfaction with their investment.

"We are finding that people recognize that it’s a great time to buy real estate, but they don’t want to buy a second or third vacation homes at $3 million a pop," said Adam Capes, Co-Founder and President of Equity Estates. "Because the Equity Estates luxury residence fund offers outstanding vacation experiences in multi-million-dollar homes around the globe, those who are ready to buy into both real estate and a lifestyle choice find that Equity Estates is the ideal fit for their needs."

Based on their current growth, Equity Estates plans to introduce several new residences to their portfolio by year end, including Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Paris, France; Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado; Napa Valley, California; Anguilla, and Costa Rica.

The club has commented that they have seen interest levels at their "highest level since the economic downturn." Exclusive Resorts recently echoed the same, enjoying their highest membership sales month in nearly two years in June. Ultimate Escapes President and CEO Jim Tousignant stated that their sales pipeline was "the highest it's been in the past 18 months" in a call earlier this year.

"We are on the precipice of an unparalleled two quarters in terms of membership growth, adding additional residences and owner member vacation experience satisfaction," Capes continued. "We could not be in a better position to finish 2010 as our strongest year ever."

With all of this positivity and success flowing through the destination club industry, is the sector finally beginning to recover? We aren't willing to go too far, but these successes do show that many travelers continue to see the advantages destination club membership has over owning a second home. But despite the achievements of clubs like Equity Estates and Exclusive Resorts, it will be a long and difficult road before the destination club space reaches the same levels of success that it had prior to the economic downturn.

If you are interested in destination club membership or would like to simply learn more about this new form of luxury travel and how it compares to timeshares, second home ownership, and luxury hotels, request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide.