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Fractional property will take over from freehold sales in Europe within five years, according to industry specialists, as poor economic conditions leave its legacy on the world’s mid-range buyer market.
Fractional ownership was already growing in prominence with global buyers before the downturn, according to data from Mintel and the world’s two biggest fractional consultancies, the Ragatz Association and Northcourse Ltd, which revealed that in 2007 the fractional ownership industry was worth US$1.98bn, (20% up on 2006) excluding destination clubs which registered a further $2bn in sales.
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The industry is also taking root in Egypt, with agency Egypt Real signing a new affiliate partnership with consultancy Fractions Abroad, making it, what it claims, the first company to offer fractional ownership in Egypt.
“Fractional ownership is a great tool to enable you to secure business from almost any client no matter what their aspirations or budget,” said Peter Mitry from Egypt Real. Commenting on his structure in the country, he added: “Contracts will be tailored to the individual developers who adopt fractional and can be produced in all of the major languages which will feature alongside Arabic.”
Meanwhile, more and more developers are looking to fractional as a way to secure sales in an uncertain future. Brad Lincoln, CEO of fractional consultancy The Best Group, said his company has been approached by an average of two developers per day to help them consider structuring a fractional product, but turn down 85% because there are not enough trained sales people to handle fractional sales, also stating that “fractions do not turn a poor resort into a good one”. “In five years time the only people not buying fractional will be retirees. Fractional is going to take over completely,” he added.
As a result, the new launch RGM Fractional held its inaugural Fractional Awareness Day in London, designed to raise awareness within the industry about fractional ownership and advise those brokers looking to enter the sector.
The audience of property professionals were taught the workings of fractional ownership, how this can be sold against freehold properties, either as a lifestyle, or an investment proposition, and the distinct differences between fractional ownership and the infamous timeshare industry.
“We have flown over from Spain today to learn more about fractions and the different financial vehicles open to interested buyers,” said Allen Cooper, from World Properties and Land. “This is a growing market, but there is a clear lack of knowledge in the industry.”
Enda Maguire, from Equity Share International, added: “The day was very informative, accurate and well targeted at those looking to sell in the sector.”
Speaking about the future of the international property industry, Lincoln suggested that freehold ownership will become a “luxury, with only high-end buyers taking this path” in the future, with fractional ownership, and its lower cost of entry, taking over.
Graeme Grant, MD of Resort Group International, agreed with Lincoln and said, at the awareness day: “Fractions have been successfully marketed in the USA for some 10 years now and will become the major leisure property product in Europe within five years, easily outselling freehold within that period.”
pushing the humanity forward through my craft as an entrepreneur 
Egypt is one of U.S.’s most important bilateral trading partners. I read at http://www.export-usa.com in what sectors are made the biggest U.S. investments. As major infrastructure projects are constantly being made, American companies will find attractive opportunities here.
Dear Sir,
You kindly ran an article with reference to Egypt Real being our Affiliate Partner for Egypt. Please find a press release detailing thier removal from our Affilate Partner Programme for unacceptable business practice. We are hoping that you would run this article as we would like to distance ourselves from this company.
Many thanks
Nikolay Kasabov
Press Release
Due to unacceptable business practices by Egypt Real and one its directors business associates, Egypt Real are no longer our Affiliate Partner for Egypt. We firmly believe that Fractional Ownership will be a trusted structure for the purchase of overseas real estate, not only in the difficult times that our industry is experiencing at the moment, but after recovery takes place. To ensure the success and longevity of Fractional Ownership all the companies involved in the industry from the Fractional Model Providers through Developers and Selling Agents have to conduct themselves in a manner beyond reproach. We monitor very carefully how our Fractional Ownership Model is being sold to the market and lay down strict guidelines that have to be adhered to. Any deviation from this, if not rectified, will result in swift action, which is the case with Egypt Real. We and our lawyers are now monitoring the situation to ensure that no clauses within our contracts with Egypt Real that subsist are breached. If they are once again action will be swift to protect Fractions Abroad Ltd and the integrity of the Fractional Ownership industry.
The potential worldwide market for Fractional Ownership is staggering and will only be realised if we work hard to protect its reputation. There are precedents that we all know about how a few companies can destroy an industry.
We are currently in talks with a globally branded company with offices in 45 countries that understand the impact that Fractional Ownership is likely to have on the overseas property market. It is looking likely we will trial the Affiliate Programme with them from 5 offices in Dubai and new offices to handle a potential fractional contract for 40,000 units on the Mediterranean and a similar amount in China.