Owning abroad

staffed all year round and fees are lowÐ currently less than £2,000 per annum. Members of such clubs enjoy the minimal

outlay for the maximum enjoyment of their holidays, plus what they hope will be a capi- tal gain at the end. With others doing the work, it' s a stress-freeÐ if short-termÐ way to be a property owner abroad.

Fractional ownership

Pros

s Minimum financial risk spread across several different currencies as you save

money on holidays s You can spend time in diverse locations living in glamorous properties that are worth considerably more than your

own investment s Fixed-term arrangements mean you can plan your investments accordingly

Cons

s You only have a certain amount of time

in each property every year s You have to plan holidays well in advance s You can' t choose where you buyÐ the club picks the properties

Rocksure properties include villas in Thailand (above and below left) and the Algarve (below right). Membership costs £189,000, plus annual fees of £1,800 (www.rocksure.com)

Snowbound or sunkissed with the Hideaways Club: Chalet Etoile (above) and Villa Dorada

A home on every shore

Imagine owning 100 second homes overseas, not just one. Imagine having a full concierge service in each one to take away all the hassle of security, travel organisation and local bookings. Finally, imagine if they were dotted all round the world, from Switzerland to the South African coast and emerald rice fields in Bali. This is what the Hideaways Club provides. It' s set up as an investment fund, so that you own a part of each property (which can be sold

at a later date) in conjunction with a club, to which you pay an annual fee. With a ratio of one property to every six members, the club ensures that availability remains high, and many houses can accommodate friends, too. It is an entirely different concept from owning a single second home, and with so much of the world to call your own, it appeals to inquisitive souls like me, who don' t want to go back to the same place again and again. Mark Hedges

Membership starts at £127,500, plus £7,000 annual dues (www.thehideawaysclub.com)

78 Country Life International, Summer 2010

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