Fractional ownership market shows healthy signs at Fractional Life Expo 09

Awareness of – and interest in – the fractional ownership market across all its sectors – property, luxury cars, wine and more – were on display at the Fractional Life Expo 2009, held at London’s Broadgate Event Venues this week.

Exhibitors braved the full variety of English autumnal weather, but were warmed by the level of interest in and understanding of the shared ownership concept displayed by visitors.

Catherine Monaghan of Firstlight International is selling fractional ownership of properties at Ireland’s legendary K Club resort. “We are using Fractional Life as a platform to launch fractional ownership at the K Club. It’s been very good for us over the last three days,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of enquiries, – a good level of knowledgeable enquiries about the shared ownership industry, which is great because you’re not constantly trying to educate people about the concept but can get down to the details of what we are doing.”

Nat Alexander of supercar club Marque II noticed a definite sea change in the attitude of visitors to the Expo – hopefully a sign of improving economic fortunes. “It’s been very good. Last year there was a definite air of caution and hesitancy in the market. This year people are a little bit more confident. They are setting themselves budgets to invest and to have a bit of fun with. The quality of leads here has been very good and people have been much more receptive than last year.”

Developer Oceanico was promoting its Prestige Residence Club, an offer which runs an exchange programme among a selection of resorts in Portugal, the USA, Ireland and South Africa. Marketing executive Eva Jacobs said: “This is the third year we’ve been at the Fractional Life Expo, and I think it’s absolutely crucial for us to be here as one of the leading developers in fractional ownership. This location here in London is fantastic and the leads that we get are very high quality.”

A spokesperson for 47 Park Street, a residential membership club based at a grand Edwardian house in London’s Mayfair, said: “The event is going well. We’ve had some interest from people who have researched us on the internet and come along to see us here. It’s really good to be able to meet them in person, and they can see on our stand what 47 Park Street looks like. We’ve also had some good, fresh leads from visitors here.”

“Morgan Forbes have a proactive approach to brand awareness and client management. Being our first show as an exhibitor we were unsure of what to expect. We didn’t need to be – we were delighted with the choice of venue and the manner in which the event was executed. We sold 27 fractions to 20 new clients. In addition we forged over 50 new potential relationships - an excellent event” said Hugh Hershaw, Acquisitions Manager, Morgan Forbes

Arcos Gardens is an established residential development in Andalucia which has launched its first phase of fractional ownership properties. The company’s Nuria Berrojo said: “The fractional offering at Arcos Gardens is a new product, so we weren’t sure what to expect but we’ve had some good leads so far, which we’ll follow up when we go back to Spain.”

16/09/09