Our friends at CFAR, the respected advisory firm to companies, families, and organizations, recently examined the parallel challenges of closely held companies and family compounds.
Caleb White of CFAR noted that a tiny fraction – estimated at 13% – of family businesses make it to the third generation. A similarly small fraction of family compounds as well. How to increase the chances for success?
“ In our work with family businesses, we often see the leading generation—parents, grandparents—creating property that is the start of a family compound that they come to see serving as a common ground—figuratively and literally, for future generations…But like anything else that brings families and their economics together, some forethought can go a long way. Joint ownership of property can be like dynamite—with disagreements causing fissures between family members as they try to navigate the waters of working together as owners and occupants of the beach house, the ski chalet, or urban apartment.”
THE BEACH HOUSE – created as a refuge from the cares of the world and as a gathering place for generations of family and friends, this 22.0± acre property with more than 2,000 feet of beach frontage is sited on an elevated peninsula reaching out from the Saconesset Hills between the Great and Little Sippewissett Marshes 
110/120 NOSEDRIVE – a ski in/ski out luxury Mountain Cabin at Spruce Peak is a winning combination of convenience and the four season Stowe lifestyle. 
ROCKPORT HARBOR VIEWS – a sophisticated, private sanctuary in the heart of Rockport with commanding views of Rockport Harbor, the village and the Camden Hills – urban luxury in a seaside village. 
SAWYER’S POINT, located in the quiet seaside neighborhood known as Harborside, this 14± acre property with 1,270± feet of deepwater shorefront provides an incredible opportunity for a private, year-round family compound… 
TAYLOR FARM – A turnkey destination retreat in the heart of Vermont: total privacy, big views, deep water lake frontage, cool main house, hilltop cabin, guest cottages, indoor pool, equestrian amenities and miles of trails. 
BARKER LOOP CAMP, located in the heart of the Rangeley Lakes Region, is a lakeside compound on 1.41± acres with 195’± of frontage on Mooselookmeguntic Lake set in the village of Oquossoc and only 8 miles from downtown Rangeley. 
NOAH’S HILL – This hilltop 43+ acre property with 4,300+ feet of navigable frontage on the Essex River has been enjoyed as a weekend retreat and family compound by four generations since 1945 and is now available for the first time in 75 years.
Caleb walks us through some key attributes of families who have successfully navigated joint ownership over generations. Not surprisingly, one of the top shared qualities is effective communication and thoughtful planning – which is where Caleb’s firm, LandVest, and excellent estate planning attorneys like Martha Frahm at Goulston & Storrs, who also contributed to the analysis, can help.
