Is Playground only located in Vancouver?

 

How long has Playground been in the real estate business?

 

What does the name Playground mean?

 

What is unique about Playground’s culture and values?

 

What is Playground’s vision for the future?

 

How is Playground connected to Intrawest?

 

Is Playground a developer?

 

Does Playground only offer properties in mountain resorts?

 

Does Playground only sell whole ownership properties?

 

What is the difference between fractional ownership and timeshare?

 

What is a Storied Place™?

 

What is an iQ™ property?

 

Does Playground also resell properties ?

 

Who are the main buyers of destination real estate properties?

 

Where can interested homebuyers register to receive more information regarding upcoming resort properties?

 

Who can interested homebuyers contact if they have already found a specific property they like?

Is Playground only located in Vancouver?
No. Our home office is in Vancouver (British Columbia). We also have regional offices in Montréal (Québec), Denver (Colorado), Reno (Nevada) and Orlando (Florida). Playground manages our European operations out of Lausanne (Switzerland).

 

How long has Playground been in the real estate business?
We have over 20 years of experience, marketing and selling real estate. Before Playground was established, the company was part of Intrawest; their history is our history. Today, our sole purpose is the marketing and sales of destination real estate.

 

What does the name Playground mean?
One of the most challenging aspects of starting a company is finding a name, and not just any name, but a name that truly captures the company’s essence. Play refers to our mission, which is to "connect people with the ultimate places to play". It also relates to our company culture, which is that we work hard and play hard.

 

What is unique about Playground’s culture and values?

Playground’s culture is one-of-a-kind because it successfully balances work & play, magic & logic, discipline & enthusiasm. There are six values, which are woven into every activity and demonstrated by each individual at Playground; team play, lasting relationships, innovation, bettering our best, energy and execution.

 

What is Playground’s vision for the future?

Playground's vision is to be the number one destination real estate sales and marketing resource for the world’s ultimate playgrounds.

How is Playground connected to Intrawest?

Intrawest is the world’s leading developer and operator of village-centered resorts. After becoming publicly traded in 1990, Intrawest divested its urban real estate arm to focus on becoming the global leader for the design, development and operation of four-season resorts. In 1999, Intrawest evaluated the expertise created with the growth of the company and decided to leverage its sales and marketing knowledge by delivering intellectual capital, processes and methodologies to non-Intrawest clients. With this came the decision to form Playground in 2001. Today, the connection to Intrawest creates enormous advantages for Playground’s developer partners and customers by offering outstanding additional services.

Is Playground a developer?
No. Playground’s expertise is the sales and marketing of destination real estate. Our strong connection to Intrawest allows for a solid understanding of the development process, which differentiates us from our competitors. Playground’s premier development partner is Intrawest Placemaking. We also work with select third party developers who can benefit from Playground’s expertise. Some of these projects include the Hard Rock Hotel is San Diego and The Westin Napa Valley.

Does Playground only offer properties in mountain resorts?
No. Playground has a wide breadth of mountain, beach, golf and urban property offerings. Homeowners can choose between luxury homes, town homes, and condo-hotels at ultimate places, currently located in eight countries, on four continents.

 

Does Playground only sell whole ownership properties?
No. Playground is constantly evolving its property offerings to incorporate the needs and wants of our homeowners and developer partners. We provide whole ownership for those that desire to have a vacation property year round to reconnect with their families, friends and themselves. For those that do not require year-round vacation properties, we offer fractional deeds. iQ™, a quarter ownership program, allows owners to spend one week each month in their home for only a quarter of the price. Moreover, we offer Storied Places™, an exclusive sector of fractional ownership allowing owners to relax in a luxury home with additional high-end services to make each vacation a lasting memory. Both concepts reflect Playground’s appreciation of various customer lifestyles understanding that not everyone desires access to a vacation home 365 days a year.

 

What is the difference between fractional ownership and timeshare?
Fractional ownership is real estate ownership. Timeshares typically involve purchasing "points" that can be redeemed for a number of vacation weeks each year at any property in a particular timeshare network. In the timeshare model, purchasers own a membership. With fractional ownership (such as Storied Places™ and iQ™), owners are assigned a registered fee simple real estate interest. Buyers receive a deeded piece of real estate that they can pass down to their children or sell at any point in time.

What is a Storied Place™?
For those interested in luxury real estate we offer Storied Places™, a private residence club and exclusive sector of fractional ownership. These luxury second homes come with unparalleled Storied Service™ – described by owners as "exquisitely casual" and "understated first-class without pretension". The ownership model recognizes that buyers have limited leisure time and are looking for real estate that is price-proportionate to actual use. Owners receive a specific number of weeks a year of guaranteed use and unlimited additional access whenever space is available. For more information on Storied Places, visit www.storiedplaces.com.

 

What is an iQ™ property?
iQ™ properties provide access to a world class destination for one week a month; the perfect option for those homeowners who do not require a second home for 365 days of the year. iQ properties are not timeshares; owners have a piece of deeded real estate for a fraction of the cost; in this case ¼ ownership.. Homeowners also have the opportunity to rent their vacation home for the time allotted. The property is hassle free and amenity rich because the upkeep and management of the property is all looked after.

Does Playground also resell properties ?
Customers should be confident in how their real estate interests are being represented; Playground offers Resale services as an extension of our promise to be the Trusted Advisor to our homeowners. In addition to having an intimate knowledge of the product, we have a network of potential buyers, and the know-how to re-market our real estate in the most effective way. These factors combined, make Playground the best choice for reselling our properties.

Who are the main buyers of destination real estate properties?
The boomer generation represents the largest group of vacation homebuyers. According to the National Association of Realtors' latest annual report, the typical vacation homebuyers in 2005 was the boomer generation. The baby boomers drive sales in the second home market because they are at the peak of their earnings and desire a place where they can reconnect with their families and spend quality time together.

 

Where can interested homebuyers register to receive more information regarding upcoming resort properties?
Our website allows interested homebuyers to register online and receive information regarding new and current projects before everyone else does. The online form is a quick way to get in touch with Playground and provides access to our best real estate professionals.

 

Who can interested homebuyers contact if they have already found a specific property they like?
Every resort or property featured on our website provides a link to individual project websites. This is where potential homebuyers can find out more about their dream vacation property, their spectacular surroundings, and their various amenities. Each website provides online registration and a real estate professional will contact the interested party to answer any additional questions. Check out our interactive map, which features our unique offerings.