Equity Estates Overview
Description
Equity Estates is an equity destination club or as the company likes to refer to itself a luxury residence fund or simply a luxury real estate investment firm. The investor members are owners of the company, or rather fund, that owns the club homes. So in addition to enjoying the homes for their vacations, the investors can also benefit if the value of the homes increases.
It has launched a series of funds, raising over $300m in total. The latest is Fund VIII, which launched in September 2026, with plans to buy twelve vacation homes, with each residence costing between $3 and $7 million.
The club launched its first fund in 2006 and this fund sold out in 2012. The homes in fund I include residences in New York City, Maui, Vail, Los Cabos, Mexico, the Turks and Caicos, Deer Valley, Utah and Florence, Italy as well as several other locations. The club began selling all the homes fund I in 2021 and will return 100% of their original investment and then 80% of the appreciation to members.
The club launched its second fund in 2012 and closed this fund to new members in December 2016. The third fund, which raised about $40m closed in September 2019. The 4th fund raised $50m and residences vary in cost from $2 million to $5 million and range from two to six bedrooms and 1,500 to 7,000 square feet. The 5th fund, launched in 2021, raising another $50m to buy 12 homes and closed in 2022. The 6th fund launched in June 2022 with plans to raise about $60m and invest in 12 homes, and was fully subscribed in December 2024. The 7th fund launched in January 2025, and raised about $70m to invest in 12 vacation homes. Overall, Equity Estates has raised over $300m, and its investors have taken over 30,000 vacations at these homes.
Through a partnership with the Hideaways Club, members also have access to homes in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Details on the clubs latest membership plans are included in the articles and research below. You can also read our interview with Philip Mekelburg the CEO of Equity Estates.
Overview
| Membership Pricing | |
| Initial Capital Contribution (range) | $410,000 - $1,135,000 |
| Annual Dues (range) | $26,100 - $78,877 |
| # Nights | 15 - 45 |
| Membership Refundable | Equity, 10 Yr Invest |
| Homes | |
| # of homes | 65+ |
| # of locations | 50+ |
| Average Value | $4.5m |
| Investors per Home | 7:1 |
| Club | |
| Number of investors | 600+ |
| Founded | 2006 |
| % Homes owned | 70%+ |
website
equityestatesfund.comIf you're seriously considering joining a destination club or residence fund then download "Destination Clubs & Residence Funds: A Guide for Prospective Members". We do ask you to register prior to downloading it. The Guide will give you an in-depth view of the different funds and clubs including their homes, services and questions to consider prior to joining.
If you're seriously considering joining Equity Estates then download the SherpaReport "Destination Clubs & Residence Funds: A Guide for Prospective Members". The free Guide, published and updated every year since 2007, will give you an in-depth view of the different clubs, including their homes, services and questions to consider prior to joining. We do ask you to register to download the Guide. The related articles below have more information, analysis and background about Equity Estates.