Victoria Real Estate Agency Home Sale Listings

Luxury Destination Clubs See Increasing Popularity Despite Real Estate Market Meltdown

Boston, MA (PRWEB) July 1, 2008 -- While much of the media's recent coverage of the real estate market has been focused on the meltdown of home sales and declining values, one niche market's success has been almost entirely overlooked.

Luxury destination clubs (http://www.sherpareport.com/destination-clubs/) - exclusive membership groups that entitle members to use upscale, fully serviced vacation homes in some of the world's most sought after vacation spots - are gaining in popularity among wealthy Americans. Ragatz Associates reported earlier this year that investments in U.S.-based destination clubs rose six percent to $610 million in 2007. While this increase is modest, it becomes more impressive when compared to the 30-percent drop in second home purchases during that same period as reported by the National Association of Realtors.

Shared luxury property expert Nick Copley, president and senior analyst of SherpaReport.com, an online publication devoted to the burgeoning industry, isn't surprised by the increases in the face of an otherwise down housing market.

"Since this relatively new form of vacation home ownership came onto the scene in 1998, it has really exploded in popularity," says Copley. "Its advantages are quite compelling. When you combine access to multiple luxurious homes all over the world, great locations and five-star service, with not having the hassle of maintaining a second home, you have a very successful formula."

Another difference between second homes and destination clubs is the level of personal service provided by the clubs.

"It's typical for the concierge staff of a destination club to arrange for surfboard rentals in the summer and ski rentals in the winter," says Copley. "Theatre tickets, local tours, favorite foods in the refrigerator and even luxury cars in the garage can all be waiting for members when they arrive."

With initiation fees varying between $30,000 and $3 million and yearly membership fees ranging from $3,500 to $85,000, not everyone can afford the advantages offered by destination clubs. But that hasn't seemed to dissuade a growing number of wealthy vacationers from choosing destination club memberships over second home ownership. In fact, Copley suggests that judged purely in terms of economics, destination clubs offer a good deal when compared to owning a vacation home.

"It takes money to buy into a destination club, but the membership fee is often roughly equivalent to the down payment one would have to make on a multi-million dollar home," says Copley. "Annual membership dues are typically less than the annual upkeep on one home, and yet members typically have their choice of locations in which to enjoy their two to eight weeks of use per year."

According to Copley, the key to deciding whether or not to join a destination club, and for that matter deciding which club to join, is research, research, research.

"Potential members should really treat the prospect of becoming a destination club member with the same approach they'd have in making any large lifestyle investment, because in a very real sense that is what destination clubs are," said Copley. "People shouldn't be afraid to ask tough questions and request detailed financial information. If a club won't cooperate, it isn't a club that they should join."

To help prospective members get the right kinds of information, SherpaReport.com has developed a checklist of questions that should be asked of club officials. The checklist is part of Destination Clubs: A Guide for Prospective Members (http://www.sherpareport.com/a-guide-for-prospective-members.html), an extensive, 60-plus page publication produced annually by SherpaReport.com. The guide also includes an overview of destination clubs, comparisons of the world's most popular clubs and industry trends. The current version of the guide is available to download at http://www.sherpareport.com/a-guide-for-prospective-members.html (http://www.sherpareport.com/a-guide-for-prospective-members.html).

###

MORE ARTICLES:

Learn Seven Things You Must Know Before Choosing the Right Waterfront Real Estate Agent
You?ve made the decision to buy a waterfront home Now, it?s time to choose a real estate agent to help you find your perfect home

The Real World Advantages & Disadvantages of Using a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home
Are you a real estate pro If you are planning to sell your property and don't really consider yourself an expert in real estate selling then you may want to consider seeking out a reputable real estate agent to sell your property

Waterfront Houses USA Launches Waterfront Homes and Property Listing Service
Budget-Quotes, Inc. would like to announce the opening of their waterfront real estate listing service Waterfront Houses USA. Waterfront Houses USA is a medium for homeowners and real estate professionals to list their properties specifically targeted to waterfront, water view, and water access.

How to Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent
Considering the rapid rise in home prices over the past several years, home sellers are taking a hard look at the commission they have to pay to a real estate brokerage to market and sell their home. Real estate commissions vary across the country; they average in the four to seven percent range.

Lake Oswego Oregon Real Estate Agents / Lake Oswego OR Homes for Sale
Looking for a new place to live in the Portland, Oregon area? If so, youre not alone. In recent years, the popularity of Northwestern cities such as Portland has skyrocketed: people are beginning to realize that the Northwest offers tremendous culture, stellar job opportunities, and amazing scenery  in an area that is not yet overcrowded.

Choosing A Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home
If you are considering, or have decided to put your real estate up for sale then you are probably looking for a real estate agent. What do you need to look for in an agent so that your experience turns out not only positive, but hopefully resulting in the sale of your property.

Why it is Important to Hire Just One Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home
In our fast paced and frantic real estate market, buying a home takes quick action and strong representation. Some buyers decide to involve several agents in their search for a home, assuming that there is strength in numbers.

Real Estate: Buyers Agent, Sellers Agent & Dual Agent (defined and explained)
There is a relatively new and not always well understood practice in Real Estate sales; it is called Buyer Agency or Buyer's Agent. Until recently Realtors and agents usually represented the seller, in opposition to the buyer, during the real estate transaction.

Real Estate Loan Agents, Real Estate Loan Agents,Investment Properties, Investment Properties in USA
While America and the world hold their breath, waiting for the Presidential and Legislative Branches of the United States Government to take action, that will hold off and help correct the mistakes of the sub-prime meltdown, there are some progressive Real Estate Loan Agents providing mortgages from exclusive leads from the opportunities provided in their counties from the daily marketing efforts by the team at Myhomesearches.com. These loan agents, providers of mortgages during the boom days are making deals today because of their membership.

Design Firm Creates Flash-Driven Real Estate Listing Map for use by Real Estate Agents
This map is scalable, sizable and can zoom from an aerial view all the way down to the street level.

Local Real Estate Agents May Provide More Relevant Homes For Sale Data Than National Sites
Marietta, GA, (November 3, 2004) – According to the National Association of Realtors, 70% of all home buyers search the internet for home listings at some point. While most people choose national sites such as Realtor.

Choose the Right Agent in Selling Your Home in Siesta Key Real Estate
Selling your home in Siesta Key real estate can be stressful since it is a huge undertaking that you can do in your life. If you will be doing wrong choices, you will make things worse and you wont be able to sell your home quickly and with the best deal.

Real Estate Agents Turning to Surface Restoration Company to Help Speed Home Sales
Real Estate agents are turning to Miracle Method, a national surface restoration company, to update bathrooms and kitchens to get a higher price for homes and speed sales.

The All Important Real Estate Agent - Selling Your Home in a Buyer's Market
You've decided to sell your home In the current real estate market where there is a veritable glut of listings in many regions of the country, there are some simple things that you, as a seller, can do to enhance the chances your home will sell within a reasonable period of time

Designed For Real Estate Agents By Real Estate Agents, The Newest Referral Service Just Launched
Findmearealestateagent, the most comprehensive relocation reference site on the net. Serving the continental United States, findmearealestateagent.com is dedicated to providing families, corporations, small business, and individuals with all the tools necessary to make their relocation easier.