Luxury site to offer exclusive second home access

Travellers are to be given access to an “exclusive selection” of second homes featured by luxury members-only website www.anyfriendsofours.com.

Travellers are to be given access to an “exclusive selection” of second homes featured by luxury members-only website anyfriendsofours.com.

The new level of membership will allow the viewing of ‘home from home’ properties, many of which are not available on the open market.

These include a 43ft yacht in St Lucia, a jungle bungalow on a tea plantation in Sri Lanka, a house set in 1.5 acres overlooking False Bay in Cape Town and a ski chalet in Verbier.

Potential members will be asked to complete an application form for approval. They will also pay an unspecified lifetime membership fee which gives them access to the homes and other benefits.

The new membership category is aimed at “likeminded individuals who subscribe to the ethos of the community – people who will treat a property as if it was their own”.

Company founder Jo Goodson said: “We want to maintain the philosophy, security and exclusivity of our community, while also not restricting access to our site to those who currently don’t own a second home.

“We want to ensure our marketplace is as vibrant and active as possible but also that members subscribe to our ethos.

“Many of our properties will never be found on a commercial letting site and so we believe that this is an appealing selling point for well travelled, potential members who want a home from home travel experience in an exclusive property.”

It claims to be able to provide a flexible revenue stream for second homeowners, allowing them to help cover annual overheads or counter rising costs and unstable or declining overseas property markets.

Members of the site’s community have the opportunity to review each other, whether they are a property owner or guest.