International News | 3RD HOME Expands to Include The Ritz-Carlton Collection

Published on April 25, 2014

LUXURY HOME SWAP

A genesis of 2010, Wade Shealy, Founder and CEO of 3RD HOME, recognized the opportunity to help serve the luxury second home owner generate a greater return on their investment. By utilizing their unused time and turning it into currency (called Keys), second home owners can vacation anywhere in the world at a similar quality home for a nominal fee through a second home swap.

This week, 3RD HOME expanded the club’s portfolio to include The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club® properties, a respected leader in luxury vacations in the world’s most vibrant cities and stunning resort destinations. The new affiliation allows both brands to expand the luxury travel options available to their respective members.

3RD HOME members will now be able to exchange time in their homes to visit The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club®’s six luxury destinations across the United States and the Caribbean including:

CALIFORNIA:

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club®, Lake Tahoe
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club® and Residences, San Francisco

COLORADO:

The Ritz-Carlton Distination Club®, Aspen Highlands
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club®, Vail

FLORIDA:

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club®, Jupiter

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club®, St. Thomas (Community Finder has stayed here and it is a tropical heaven on earth!)

Similarly, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club® Members will now gain access to the over 2,000 properties in 70 countries that are part of the 3RD HOME portfolio. Some folks prefer to vacation in resort style communities with restaurants, five star spas and sports amenities or a private residence club. Others prefer a second home swap in seclusion, maybe in one of the luxury homes in Costa Rica or the chance to vacation incognito. Adding The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club® provides 3RD HOME club members more choices and flexibility while providing the high level of quality and service 3RD HOME Members expect. 3RD HOME affiliates include Auberge Resorts and Trump International Hotel & Tower®, NYC.

Community Finder sees the typical luxury second home owner as a busy professional who works hard and plays hard. He or she also expects good value and return on their investments. 3RD HOME’s reciprocal home exchange club opens up a world of first class adventures for a nominal cost by utilizing the unoccupied time of the second home as the primary currency translated into 3RD HOME calls Keys. In other words, deposit weeks of availability of your second home for use by other club members and receive equal value in weeks at any of the 3RD HOME club properties which includes The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club® properties. The out of pocket "exchange fee" ranges from $395 to $995 for a week reservation plus there is a one time initiation fee of $2,500 to join the club. Incidentals where they exist at any destination are disclosed in advance, or are at your discretion.

If folks think about it, the average weekly stay at a multimillion dollar home or a private residence club could easily exceed $10k. Multiply that times a few trips a year and 3RD HOME club members can save $30 to $40 thousand dollars a year. Unlike other clubs, 3RD HOME members have complete time flexibility. The weeks deposited do not have to be the same weeks exchanged. Keys earned per week are based on the home's value:

HOME VALUE = KEY VALUE

$500,000 to 1,000,000 = 1 Key

$1,000,001 to $2,000,000 = 2 Keys

$2,000,001 to $3,000,000 = 3 Keys

$3,000,001 to $4,000,000 = 4 Keys

over $4,000,001 = 5 Keys

3RD HOME’s website is a beautiful showcase of 2,000 properties around the world including Las Ventanas Del Mar and informs club members when the homes are available. Booking a second home swap is almost instantaneous. Within 24 hours, club members are connected with the home owner to coordinate the stay. The luxury homes in the club’s portfolio are not your average homes. 3RD HOME currently features over 2,000 properties in 70 countries with an average value of $2.3 million (USD) per home and a portfolio value of over $5 billion.

Bottom line, 3RD HOME affords members a safe and trustworthy way to expand the use of their second homes and travel the world without the expense of renting. For those toying on the fence about purchasing a luxury second home, the 3RD HOME club could easily push someone over into the world of possibilities. Let us be your guide in helping you select a luxury second home that would be eligible to participate in the luxury home swap club.