Buyer demand and interest in the Vail Valley and Eagle County continue to outpace most other U.S. regions. While interest rates and economic uncertainty have potential sellers staying put and creating limited inventory options, buyers are still looking. What is an interested buyer to do?
Many buyers are opting for fractional ownership to get a foot in the door. Over the past five years, fractional ownership purchases in Eagle County have risen in transactions by more than 55% and sales volume has increased from $15.6 million in 2018 to more than $53.5 million in 2023.
Fractional ownership is deeded partial ownership shared among owners. It is a viable, part-time residence/ownership opportunity for those who consistently spend time in the Vail Valley year after year. Fractional owners often decide to buy a year-round property here after several years of vacationing in the valley. With fractional ownership, there’s the added benefit of being able to exchange your time/week(s) to affiliated properties around the world.
While not an investment, fractional ownership does allow people to pre-purchase and select their vacation time with many added benefits versus a hotel or renting a condo. Your property is fully cared for by an on-site management company, so you can enjoy your vacation in your fully furnished condo, without worrying about maintenance, repairs, housekeeping, utilities, insurance, taxes, and refurbishing.
Owners not only come back every year to a familiar place, but you also have the added benefit of your home away from home with the space and convenience you need for a relaxing vacation. Your property includes all the usual hotel amenities such as parking, fitness club, spa, pool/hot tubs, restaurant/bar, room service, private transportation, ski valet and higher-end concierge services.
What it costs
Entry-level costs for a fractional unit in the Vail Valley range from $25,000-$650,000 for a two- or three-bedroom condo, depending on the week(s) and property.
“When you consider the cost of renting a condo in a premier ski-in/ski-out location in Vail or Beaver Creek, buying a fractional is a cost-effective way for people to vacation in the Vail Valley"
There are a variety of properties and price points in Vail and Beaver Creek and many of these are affiliated with international hotel brands. These include The Ritz-Carlton Vail, Sebastian, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Hyatt Mountain Lodge, and Westin. Owners can then elect to use their vacation week(s) or exchange on a vacation exchange network, such as Interval International owned by Marriott Corp.
“Fractional ownership is really the opportunity to manage vacation costs against rising hotel rates, which typically go up every year,” “Once you make the purchase, you are only responsible for the annual maintenance and/or membership dues depending on the property and club options.”
