From Caribbean villas to luxury alpine lodges, the rise of the private residence has taken the travel world by storm. 

With global revenue expected to reach USD $119 billion by 2030, private homes prove that accommodation has become as important to travelers as the destination itself. 

But what makes the private home experience so special? And why does it matter to your nonprofit?

With homes and villas driving 4x more funds than traditional travel consignment, the packages you place at auction can significantly impact your proceeds. 

With this in mind, let's dive into the details.

Let's face it, lifelong memories aren't made in hotel rooms. Today’s donor wants more than a place to drop their bags—they’re seeking unique, exclusive, and authentic experiences they'll remember forever. 

That's where private residences come in.

From glamping tents in the Grand Canyon to authentic Tuscan villas, private homes use accomodation to tell an unforgettable story about each stay. They help set dapart from the crowd and create lasting memories donors won't stop talking about.

By showcasing luxury vacation rentals at auction, your nonprofit taps into this appeal to generate buzz, excitement, and drive higher bids.

Giving donors an unforgettable vacation also helps forge positive associations with your cause so donors come back to your events year after year.

Every incredible travel experience deserves an equally incredible destination.

In addition to offering accommodation in every major travel hub, private homes have opened the door to the world’s most unique locations.

This matters to your fundraising event. Research confirms that elite travelers prefer to visit unexplored destinations to gain experience and understand new cultures worldwide, with 60% seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Free of tourist traps, donors can now immerse themselves fully in a location’s unique culture and experiences – from a deluxe safari tent amidst Zambia's iconic elephants and giraffes to a Kawesqar-inspired dome in the mountains of Patagonia.

By featuring luxury private homes at auction, you maximize proceeds by appealing directly to a more elite donor profile with higher fundraising potential:  donors who are increasingly seeking novel and immersive travel experiences without sacrificing the comforts of home.

The feeling of home – it’s easily the most iconic draw of any private stay. 

But what does it really mean?

For the luxury traveler, it’s about escaping the demands of daily life while maintaining an unparalleled sense of comfort, familiarity, and belonging. 

This can be as fundamental as a private bedroom for each guest or a dining room to share meals in. But it’s also the smaller, more thoughtful touches – a pre-stocked fridge, a handpicked bottle of wine, luxurious bathrobes for the en-suite soaking tub.

The bottom line? Hotels cater to the universal, while private homes cater to the personal. Offering private residences at auction is a more intimate and immersive experience that will leave your donors feeling at home even while abroad.

Nothing says home like space to spread out and relax.

While the average hotel room clocks in at a paltry 325 sq ft, the typical private home boasts almost 2000 sq ft of space. This number increases significantly when you consider luxury properties like this 18,000 ft2 Jamaican villa or 2-acre Marrakesh estate.

Offering your donors plenty of breathing room is an instant invitation to unwind and transition straight into vacation mode.  

With multigenerational and group travel on the rise, gathering comfortably in one space is also crucial. Ditching the hassle of multiple hotel rooms means less time coordinating and more quality time vacationing together.

That’s great news for your charity auction – with 90% of private residences leased by families, luxury homes and villas appeal directly to a major donor demographic. It also means that funds donors typically spend on private travel are instead put toward a worthy cause.

While hotels advertise a host of amenities, research suggests they’re missing out on what guests actually need.

According to the data, the most valuable amenity cited by private residence travelers is a kitchen.

Private homes are all about prioritizing guest-friendly amenities. Kitchens offer more flexible and budget-friendly mealtimes, especially for families and large groups, while conveniences such as a washer/dryer let donors pack lighter and stay longer.

And we haven’t even covered the fun stuff.

From private pools and hot tubs to cozy fireplaces and spacious yards, donors are willing to bid more for amenities they actually want. With high-speed WI-FI, Smart TVs, and free parking included, guests also benefit from the basics without tacked-on hotel fees.

If there’s one amenity that can never be overstated, it’s privacy.  

Once reserved for the most exclusive travelers, privacy is now a post-pandemic expectation. After all, what donor would prefer overcrowded services to a private hot tub, pool, or personal beachfront? 

Private residences hold a monopoly on privacy by offering guests the exclusive use of a property and all its perks. That means no lineups, no service hours, and no busy pools. Or, in the case of this authentic chateau and private golf course, absolutely no tee times.

Placing private homes and villas at auction means prioritizing donor needs by ensuring they never have to compete with other guests for amenities, services, or space. 

Your donors’ trips are exclusively theirs to enjoy – a promise they’re willing to pay extra for.

Prioritizing guest needs brings us to a crucial point: Your donors are special. Their stay should reflect that.

While generic travel packages for auction may seem like an appealing catch-all option, unique and tailored travel packages that match your donor’s profiles are more likely to maximize fundraising revenue.

Experts agree that exclusivity and personalization are the most crucial components of any luxury trip. Donors in this bracket want to distinguish themselves with exclusive accommodation tailored to their desires.  

Private residences cater specifically to the bespoke, with distinctive, one-of-a-kind properties. Whether it's a historic villa in Provence or an African Safari tent, donors can expect authentic and singular stays. 

As stand-alone homes, these properties also offer endless customization options. From private chef service to in-villa performances, the perfect package is limited only by imagination. 

All benefits considered, the crucial test of any travel package is how well it performs. 

The good news? Private residences raise 4x more proceeds than typical travel consignment and offer better dollar value than hotels.  

The reason is simple. Private residences spread costs across multiple guests for a price that’s often less than traditional accommodation, while amenities remain exclusive for donors to enjoy. 

That means you can offer higher quality travel packages for less, and donors get more for their money. Greater guest capacity also encourages donors to bid together, broadening the bidding pool and drastically raising the total value of winning bids.

Most importantly, private home experiences frequently sell multiple times per auction, so you maximize fundraising revenue off a single consignment item at zero cost to your organization.