Press release —
Family sold their house in Provence and bought it back with 28 other families
A house filled with vacation memories over three generations has become part of a modern concept of shared ownership. For the Wright family, this became the solution that made it possible to keep their second home in Provence.
For more than 20 years, a house in Provence has been the backdrop for vacations for three generations of the Wright family. The house has been used extensively over the years, but the tasks that come with it – everything from ongoing maintenance to supervision and practical matters when the family wasn't there – became increasingly demanding over time.
Therefore, the family began exploring how the property could have a future where it would be used more and continue to be part of their lives. They discovered the shared housing concept MyHomes, where several families co-own vacation homes, with MyHomes handling the purchase, renovation, and management of the homes, while the owners share the costs of maintenance and gain access to a selection of vacation homes across Europe.
– For us, shared ownership became a way to combine the past and the future. We could let go of the responsibility without letting go of the place that has been the setting for our family's vacations for three generations, says 55-year-old Camilla Wright, whose parents built the house.
A family home that lives on
The decision to find a new model for ownership of the house was made across all generations of the family. The MyHomes share is owned by Camilla, but both grandparents, parents, and children were part of the decision about the future.
– A house benefits from being used. When it is only used a few weeks a year, it still requires ongoing maintenance and attention. We were at a point where we either had to completely let go of the house and sell it or find another solution where it could be used more and still be part of our lives. Luckily, we found that solution, says Camilla Wright, who works as a tax manager at Kirkbi.
The house in Provence and four additional new properties are now shared by 29 families. By buying into this owner association with MyHomes, the family now co-owns five homes in Europe – in addition to their house in Provence, an apartment in Mallorca, an apartment in Rome, a country house in Piemonte, and a ski chalet apartment in Megève.
A house for a lifetime
For Camilla's son, Lucas Wright, the house in Provence has been part of his life from the start. The house was built in 2002 – the same year he was born – and he has been going there his whole life.
– I have been there as long as I can remember. A large part of life there was around the pool – that’s where I learned to swim, and where we spent many hours every single holiday, says Lucas Wright, who is currently studying mechanical engineering at DTU and living in Copenhagen with his girlfriend, who also has a special connection to the place.
– We actually became a couple there when we were 16-17 years old. First, she came along as a family friend, then the next time there were a bit more intentions, and since then it has become our romantic getaway. The house has followed our relationship all the way, says Lucas Wright, who at 16 began visiting the house on his own with friends. For him, the vacations in Provence have over the years taken on a very special meaning.
– It’s about peace, togetherness, and traditions – the kind of vacation where you completely unwind. We always walk down the mountain together toward the town and often end up at the same restaurant by the square. They know us by now down there, says Lucas Wright, who, together with his girlfriend, will be the first in the family to experience the house after it has been taken over and renovated through MyHomes.
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MyHomes is a sharing economy concept where several families co-own luxury vacation homes in Europe and thus share expenses, resources, and joys. MyHomes handles the purchase and renovation of the homes, as well as all practical matters related to management and maintenance.
