I constantly get asked these days what I think about fractional properties in the current economy.  As an owner and developer of fractional real estate, whose current projects are for all intents and purposes on hold right now, I think, needless to say it is a very interesting time in the resort property industry, and more so in the fractional real estate industry.  I'm very interested to hear what my fellow developers are thinking when we get together at the Ragatz Symposium in March.  My current thoughts are along these lines.  If you can hold out for what will most likely be 9 - 12 months, until the economy shows signs of life and people can get credit again, then you'll most likely be all right.  I personally am working to take advantage of what I'll call "new marketing" so that when the world does return to something we recognize, I'll be well positioned to take advantage of hard work during a time when many of our competitiors are heading for the hills, burying the heads in the sand, waiting for it to blow over, or worse still, selling off or canceling projects. 

So what is "new markeing?"  To me it is taking advantage of current technologies and aligning them with the way people buy.  It's being the trusted advisor or vendor for your potential clients, giving them no more or no less than they need.  It's providing your clients with the information, and the opportunities so that they get exactly what they need.  Not what they want, but in this economy, what they need.  It's utilizing the web, the internet, social networking, etc. to get to potential clients in a way that provides them benefit, not provides you a benefit.  You see at the end of the day, I'd rather see people satisfied with their fractional property purchase and spend many, many years enjoying their time with friends and family then to specifically benefit from them purchasing properties I may have for sale.  A win for our industry is a win for us all because it is my firm belief that once people really get what fractional ownership is and can be for them, they will embrace it and eventually own a number of properties, not just one. 

So enough of my rant for the day, more to come on how to specifically leverage social networking and new ways to market taking advantage of new technologies while waiting for our economy to be stimulated....  If you've got any great ideas or would like to share what you're doing to leverage the internet, specifically social networking, please post.  I'm most curious...