Pacaso announces its Industry Advisory Board

In this year's Top Vacation Home Markets Report, we unveil the top 20 luxury vacation home markets of 2024. “The destinations on this year’s list really capture the breadth of the luxury vacation home market,” said Pacaso CEO and Co-Founder Austin Allison. “Legacy destinations remain as timeless as ever, Florida’s panhandle is solidifying its status as a favorite for vacationers, and Manhattan is resurging as a place where buyers are doubling down on second-home investments. These aren’t just weekend getaways anymore—they’re lifestyle investments for people looking to create endless cherished memories with friends and family.” 2024’s top luxury vacation home markets To identify the top U.S. markets for 2024, Pacaso analyzed second home mortgage rate lock data alongside growth trends in pricing and transaction volume. These 20 counties stand out for their significant increases in second home activity, proportion of second homes to primary homes, and demand for properties priced above $700,000. [*Source: Pacaso analysis of mortgage rate lock data from January 1, 2023 to December 10, 2024.] “As 2024 comes to an end, mortgage rates are starting to ease, home purchase applications have hit their highest levels since January, and growing inventory is helping drive more transactions. We’re seeing strong indications that demand for both primary and secondary homes will continue to grow into 2025," continue Allison. Jersey Shore prevails Cape May County, New Jersey, takes the top spot among the best vacation home destinations for 2024, with a proportion of second homes to primary homes exceeding 150%. As the southernmost county in New Jersey, Cape May is a beloved destination for residents of metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York City, offering iconic beach towns such as Ocean City and Avalon. In 2023, Cape May earned a spot on Pacaso's Also making the list is Ocean County, New Jersey, another Jersey Shore hotspot featuring beachfront communities like Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant Beach. The county boasts 40 miles of barrier beaches, making it a prime destination for second home buyers. Florida’s panhandle grows in popularity During the pandemic years, snowbirds flocked to Florida for sunshine. Counties like Palm Beach, Lee, Broward, and Collier with established vacation home markets became a magnet for home buyers driven by migration trends, the desire for more space, and Florida's favorable tax environment. In 2024, counties along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's Panhandle, such as Gulf and Walton counties, rank among the top vacation home markets of the year. Walton County is home to the renowned 30A, a scenic coastal highway, and features many popular beach towns along the Emerald Coast, including Alys Beach, Seacrest, and Seaside, making it a prime spot to scoop up a vacation home. Gulf County, part of the Panama City metro area, boasts 244 miles of white-sand shoreline, offering an equally desirable option for second home buyers. Manhattan resurgence as second home destination New York County, the most densely populated county in the United States, is redefining perceptions of second home markets in 2024, with second homes making up more than 33% of properties compared to primary homes. Following the pandemic-induced exodus, the city is experiencing a resurgence as buyers return to invest in luxury urban properties for occasional use or as part of their likely growing real estate portfolios. Legacy destinations maintain popularity When most people think of Markets like Cape Cod (Barnstable County, Massachusetts), home to the Kennedy Compound—also known as the "Summer White House"; Newport, Rhode Island; Maui, Hawaii; and Naples (Collier County, Florida), continue to dominate the second home market. These destinations are steeped in tradition, offering timeless vacation spots with strong cultural or natural appeal. And to no surprise: Maui and Newport counties are also in the top five of priciest vacation homes with averages sitting near $1,569,353 in Maui and $1,577,353 in Newport.  Washington County, Rhode Island, is similarly renowned for its charming towns, including Block Island, Narragansett, and Watch Hill—home to Taylor Swift's iconic beachfront National parks and scenic, adventure-focused towns attract vacationers Counties like Deschutes (Bend, Oregon), Coconino (Flagstaff, AZ), Buncombe (Asheville, North Carolina), Washington (St. George, Utah), Gallatin County (Bozeman, Montana) share a common appeal rooted in their proximity to outdoor recreation, natural beauty, and laid-back lifestyles. These markets attract buyers seeking a blend of adventure and tranquility, often tied to the growing trend of prioritizing wellness and work-life balance. Coconino County, Arizona, with its county seat in the beautiful mountain town of Flagstaff, is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest and the world's largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. The county is also home to iconic destinations such as the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. Washington County, Utah, made Pacaso’s top In Montana's Gallatin County vacation home real estate is north of $1.3 million, likely due to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Southern hospitality calls families “home” Beaufort County, home to Hilton Head, and Charleston County, home to Charleston, highlight the growing allure of the Carolinas for second home buyers. These areas offer coastal charm, Southern hospitality, and increasing luxury property options, making them prime choices for affluent buyers. “This data comes as no surprise to us at Pacaso,” said Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso. “Hilton Head was the first East Coast vacation home market where we introduced co-ownership. Our current owners and buyers also adore the Charleston barrier islands, and in response to the demand, we’ve just introduced another stunning home on the beautiful Kiawah Island, ‘Palmetto Cove.’” Methodology Pacaso identified the top U.S. luxury second home markets by selecting 20 counties with the highest index scores, determined by analyzing key metrics such as the proportion of second homes to primary homes and growth trends in second home rate locks and prices from 2023 to 2024. Counties with fewer than 50 second home rate locks or where second homes accounted for less than 5% of transactions were excluded. Markets were further filtered to include only areas with average second home prices above $700,000 and positive price growth during this period. Weighted criteria emphasize popularity, demand, and recent growth, highlighting dynamic and high-value second home destinations. The markets are ranked based on the largest proportion of second homes to primary homes.

At Pacaso, we’re committed to building a customer-centric organization that puts our Crew first.  We are developing a culture where Crew members can do the best work of their careers, support one another, and create a culture of positivity and high achievement.  And as in any great company, commitment must start at the top.  Our commitment is evident in the company’s core values: 

At Pacaso, we are committed to creating a culture where all Crew members feel like they belong, are empowered to make an impact and have an opportunity to be successful. To achieve this goal, we need a diverse and inclusive Crew —  there’s plenty of evidence indicating that Diversity is an outcome of equitable hiring Equitable hiring at Pacaso refers to the processes we’ve developed to reduce bias and give all candidates a fair chance of securing a job. One area we’ve put a lot of thought into is the interview. Without structure and standardization, bias can easily creep into this aspect of the hiring process.   We assign a clear focus area to each interview and are consistent in the types of questions we ask; this helps us keep the conversation focused on the candidate’s skills and attributes. Following the interview, we capture feedback in our applicant tracking system and hold debriefs, staying mindful of the focus areas. We require all Crew members to attend an in-depth "Inclusive Interviewing" workshop to ensure they’re equipped with the tools and knowledge to interview effectively and fairly.  Discussing our hiring initiatives through the lens of equitable hiring pushes us to be strategic, thoughtful and process-oriented. Diversity is the outcome of these hiring practices.  Talent has no boundaries  Being a fully distributed company is core to our strategy of building a diverse team. Since we aren’t limited by geography, we can tap into perspectives and talent across the U.S. and beyond.  This flexibility and reach also supports our broader mission as a company. Pacaso buyers and owners live in many different regions, and they’re interested in second home destinations throughout the country. A Crew with diverse perspectives, experiences and knowledge mirrors the diversity of the customers we want to serve.  Diverse teams are the first step  We find tremendous value in reporting and reflecting on the makeup of our team, and we hold ourselves accountable for our progress around diversity initiatives. Having a diverse team doesn’t automatically mean you have an inclusive culture, however. It doesn’t ensure that your practices are equitable or that employees feel a sense of belonging.  To supplement our initiatives around equitable hiring, we have quarterly All Crew diversity conversations on topics related to building and scaling equitable experiences for everyone. We also bring in speakers and have panel conversations around diversity, giving our Crew an opportunity to learn from leaders in the space and ask questions through a group forum.  We also routinely survey our Crew to gauge their perceptions and feelings around diversity, inclusion and belonging. We use that information to build on what we’re doing well and take action in areas where we can improve.  Equitable hiring is an essential starting point, but fostering an inclusive culture requires an ongoing commitment and willingness to shift course as needed. 

Listen as As discussed on the call, you can still

Enjoying family time should be easy. Part of what makes the Pacaso experience stand out is our dedicated team of home managers, Lindsey Harden (Tahoe) In the Tahoe region is Senior Home Manager Lindsey Harden, who shares the care and service owners can expect. Aaron Olthoff (Colorado) If you’re a owner in Colorado, you’ll get to know Aaron Olthoff. He shares how he keeps every home in the Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen and Steamboat Springs region in top condition all year long. Want to experience the Pacaso lifestyle for yourself? Browse our

Join CEO Austin Allison and Vice President of Europe Joey Byrne as they dive into Pacaso’s international expansion and what it means for the future of second home ownership. They’ll share insights on new markets, exciting opportunities for investors, and how Pacaso is making co-ownership effortless across the globe. Whether you’re curious about the growth in Europe or future destinations on the horizon, this is your chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping Pacaso’s global vision.

Join Pacaso co-founders Austin Allison and Spencer Rascoff as they share their personal journeys with vacation home ownership, the inspiration behind founding Pacaso, and their own experiences as Pacaso owners. Hear how they went from revolutionizing real estate at Zillow to launching Pacaso, and discover how the company’s rapid expansion is shaping the future of second home ownership. For more information on Pacaso and how you can join the journey, please visit

Get your questions answered live as Erica walks you behind the scenes through the hidden gems of Kiawah Island — from its premier beach club access to the local treasures that make it truly unique. Learn how Pacaso’s co-ownership model allows families to create lasting memories in exceptional destinations. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the beauty of Palmetto Cove and the effortless luxury of owning with Pacaso.