What is Equity Estates?

Equity Estates is a member-owned company that provides the smartest way to own and enjoy luxury vacation homes around the world. Property management and maintenance are included, along with personal concierge and travel-planning services to complete the Equity Estates experience. Members get all of the benefits of owning luxury vacation homes with none of the hassles.

Is this like a timeshare?

No, it's actually very different from a timeshare. With a timeshare, you are generally limited to one destination for one specific week each year. If you want to stay somewhere else, you have to trade or exchange your week, which can often be time-consuming and difficult. In addition, timeshares rarely offer any real appreciation potential. They are typically one-to-two-bedroom units priced two and three times greater than the actual value of the underlying real estate, with little to no personal concierge support.

At Equity Estates, our members own and enjoy a diversified global portfolio of multi-million dollar private homes that are all truly spectacular second homes, averaging around $3 million each. Our members can pick up the phone and reserve any of these homes, with no fixed weeks or nightly minimum. And, our personalized Five-Star concierge service makes every trip hassle-free and memorable.

What is the scope of the fund?

We expect the fund to have 43 to 50 residences in highly sought-after resort and metropolitan destinations available to Owner Members. We are long-term, buy and hold managers. Beginning in 2021, we expect to begin selling all of the residences that we own and distributing the proceeds. However, membership interests can be sold anytime after a 24-month hold.

How often can I travel to these homes?

A full membership interest includes 30 nights of usage per year. An Executive Membership (one-half interest) includes 15 nights of usage per year. There is no minimum for the number of nights used on a trip - you can stay somewhere for a single night. The maximum stay at one location is 18 consecutive nights. Nights can be reserved on short notice, or as far in advance as an owner member wants.

What are the services and amenities provided to owners?

Each destination offers diverse activities such as golf, spas, beaches, skiing, hiking, fishing, sailing, equestrian activities and more. Privileges vary by destination and may also include access to private club facilities. Accommodations are luxurious, and Five-Star concierge services are provided by your Equity Estates' Personal Travel Concierge and Local Hosts at each of our destinations. These professionals are available to facilitate and streamline the planning of every trip, including onsite support services. Such support services include, but are not limited to, researching and procuring the best transportation options to the property; pre-arrival grocery shopping and stocking the refrigerator; making dinner reservations, spa appointments and/or golf tee times; procuring ski passes, Broadway tickets, concert tickets and access to other events; and arranging for babysitting service and/or activities for children. Each residence is equipped with rainy-day activities and games for kids and adults. Our owner members tell us we make it hassle-free.

How do I know I can stay in the homes when I want to?

To ensure accessibility, Equity Estates deliberately underutilizes its assets, much like private golf clubs do. At any given time, the portfolio of properties will likely have open availability of 75% or more. Our member-to-property ratio is based on an average of no greater than seven full membership interests per property (7:1).

What about travel during major holidays?

To give fair access to all members for holiday travel, Equity Estates conducts lotteries twice a year for holidays occurring during the first and second halves of the year. Due to our low member-to-property ratio and the fact that many families already have annual plans during times like Christmas or Spring Break, members will typically get one of their top choices for holiday travel.

Can I share a membership interest with someone else or buy it for my company or trust?

Absolutely. Ownership can be held in an individual's name, married couple's name, or a legal entity such as an LLC or family trust, with a designated representative. Unaccompanied guests over the age of 25 may utilize the homes and will be treated with the same high-touch concierge service as owners.

How do you maintain these homes?

Equity Estates maintains very high-quality residences. We understand and have budgeted appropriately for the periodic upkeep and maintenance required to maximize appreciation of the assets. Periodic inspections by our experienced property managers and Local Hosts, as well as feedback from members, guide necessary repairs and preventative maintenance.

New properties may undergo a design review by our design firm to assess needed alterations. Equal attention is given to interiors, exteriors and landscaping in order to keep the properties up to Equity Estates' standards.

Why is this real estate fund also a conservative investment?

Over the past 20 years, the resort real estate market has grown at a compounded rate of over 10% per year in many markets. With 77 million Baby-Boomers in the U.S. alone just beginning to retire (and move more of their money out of the stock market and into second homes and other real estate investments), this trend is likely to continue and even possibly do better between now and 2021, when we intend to commence selling the residences and distributing the profits.

How can I get liquidity on my membership interest?

Owner members can get liquidity in two ways:

  1. you can redeem your membership interest after 24 months of ownership; or
  2. we will sell the homes beginning in November 2021 and distribute the proceeds.