Private Residence Clubs and Luxury Fractional Property

Last December we covered several ways that private residence clubs let people try out the club, and get a feel for it, before becoming a full member. Here's a selection of other updated offers and trials that are also available to prospective members.

This high end fractional, the only one on Cape Cod, offers discounts of 40% for potential owners who would like to visit the residence club.

Residence Club San Francisco

This private residence club, located in the heart of Teton Village in Jackson Hole, offers up to seven nights at the member's rental rate (20% off) in a two bedroom or three bedroom residence. While exploring membership, should a guest purchase within 30 days after the stay, the cost of the stay would be applied to the purchase price. The Teton Club is 90 percent sold out but there are memberships, which range from two to twelve weeks, available in all four seasons.

This restored medieval hamlet in Tuscany has offered "inspection visits" which I wrote about back in December. They have now introduced a "Trial ownership" program which offers two weeks of accommodation and several other benefits and services to provide the full flavor of living in this hamlet.

These new fractional villas are in the grounds of the Trapp Family Lodge just outside Stowe, Vermont. The "Villa Discovery Visit" is a one-time opportunity to see The Villas, while enjoying a relaxing getaway at the Trapp Family Lodge at a special offer of 50% off rack rate. During this visit you'll have access to all the amenities of the four season resort.

Enjoy a "preview stay", in the three bedroom residences, at a special rate of $225 per night (up to three nights), and if you elect to purchase, the cost of your preview stay will be refunded to you at closing. This residence club in Florida is located on the Gulf of Mexico, a few miles outside Panama City.

Other residence clubs I talked to also said they offer "inspection trips" or have "visitation offers", although several didn't want to go on record as providing this type of facility to prospective buyers. They prefer instead to be able to offer such trips on a selective basis, so if you're looking at joining a private residence club ask if there is some way you can "try before you buy".