Pacaso vs. Ember vs. Ark7: Which second home ownership model is right for you?

Pacaso script in charcoal.
Pacaso’s Editorial Team
June 24, 2026
Luxury Pacaso home in Carmel, CA.
Key takeaways
Pacaso, Ember, and Ark7 each serve a different purpose. Pacaso and Ember offer co-ownership of vacation homes you actually stay in, while Ark7 is a passive real estate investing platform — you own fractional shares in rental properties but never use them. Within the co-ownership category, Pacaso offers the broadest destination network and the most fully managed luxury experience, while Ember is a smaller-scale alternative with optional rental flexibility but U.S.-only listings.
You're thinking of buying a second property and three main platforms have come up in your search. But weighing Pacaso vs. Ember vs. Ark7 isn't quite an apples-to-apples comparison. Each of these three companies serves different goals. 
Pacaso offers luxury second home co-ownership for personal use. Ember is similar, but on a smaller scale. Ark7 is designed for passive-income real estate investing – you don't actually get to enjoy the homes you invest in. Below, let's dive deeper to cover the key features, costs, listings and pros and cons of each platform. We'll guide you through picking the perfect platform for your specific goals. 
 Pacaso EmberArk7
Best for Luxury second home co-ownershipCo-owning vacation homes in resort destinationsPassive investing
Ownership modelLLC co-ownershipFractional LLC co-ownershipFractional shares in rental properties
Primary purpose Personal use of a second home several times per yearPersonal use of a vacation home with rental flexibilityRental income and property appreciation
Do you stay on the property?YesYesNo
Number of co-owners per homeUp to 8Up to 8Many investors per property
Property management Managed by PacasoManaged by EmberManaged by Ark7 and property managers
Destinations available Across the U.S., Mexico and EuropeU.S. ski, vacation and resort destinationsU.S. residential markets

How does Pacaso work?

Image of the Pacaso home page.
Pacaso offers professionally managed LLC co-ownership in luxurious second home destinations. Pacaso's co-ownership model means that you own a vacation home with others, so the enjoyment and responsibilities of home ownership are shared. There are up to eight owners per home, each with an ownership interest in the LLC. All owners are real property co-owners, not timeshare holders. Pacaso handles all the furnishing, maintenance, scheduling and fees so that co-owners get the benefits of owning a vacation home without having to manage it full-time. Its seamless property management and scheduling technology via the in-app SmartStay™ system makes Pacaso one of the best vacation home co-ownership companies out there.

Key features  

Benefits of using Pacaso.
Here are some of Pacaso's standout features:
  • Turnkey design: A team of interior designers curates and furnishes the home to be design certified and Pacaso provides luxurious amenities, making the house ready for immediate use.
  • Local support and home management: A local home management team provides services during your stay. Pacaso handles all home maintenance and billing. 
  • Simple scheduling via app: With the Pacaso app, you can easily book stays six to seven times per year.
  • Resale: Pacaso makes it easy to sell your ownership share on your own timeline, providing pricing support and a built-in buyer marketplace. 
  • Financing options: Qualified buyers can finance up to 70% of a home’s purchase price.

Estimated costs 

Here are a few estimated costs that come with owning a share of a Pacaso home:
  • Typical cost of co-ownership: Starting at around $200,000 for a ⅛ share of a luxury home.
  • Acquisition fee: Around 12% at closing.
  • Ongoing fees: $99/month plus operating costs.
Second home ownership costs also include the share price, monthly home operating costs and turnover services. Ongoing monthly costs are annually budgeted and divided into monthly payments. These are split proportionally based on the number of shares you own in the property. 

Listing availability

Pacaso offers listings all over the U.S. and in select international locations. Featured destinations include West Palm Beach, London, Los Cabos, Kiawah Island, Miami, Aspen and Snowmass, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, Vail and La Jolla, to name a few. 

Pacaso pros and cons 

Pros Cons 
Makes owning a second home more attainableNot ideal for first-time homeowners who want to live in a home full-time
Luxurious turnkey amenities and furnishingsCan't make passive income off the property
Property management and scheduling are taken care ofMonthly owner expenses and fees to plan for
Pacaso is best suited for those looking for co-ownership in vacation homes with a ready-to-use, luxury experience. Buyers should wish to stay in their second home only in certain parts of the year. This platform may not be the best option for first-time homebuyers, those who want to use their home year-round or those looking to generate passive income from an investment. Co-ownership with Pacaso is for luxurious personal stays in breathtaking homes and locations.

How does Ember work?

Image of Ember's homepage.
Ember offers co-ownership of vacation homes (typically ski, beach or mountain properties) with a tech-enabled booking and management layer. Like Pacaso, you can choose ⅛ to ½ real ownership share, setting it apart from a timeshare. When weighing Pacaso vs. Ember, the major differences are listing availability and passive income opportunity. Ember offers a luxurious vacation home experience with relatively low entry requirements, but its listings are far fewer than those of an option like Pacaso. On the passive income side, Ember offers an Ember Flex program to offset costs by renting out unused time. 

Key features 

Benefits of using Ember.
Ember's key features include:
  • No maintenance: Ember handles all yardwork and home repairs. 
  • Flexible app scheduling: You can schedule six or more weeks a year in the Ember app. 
  • Personalized service: A concierge and home management team provide local services. 
  • Different types of co-ownership homes: Ember Limited homes are exclusive to owners, while Ember Flex homes can be rented out. 

Estimated costs 

Ember sits between Pacaso and Ark7 in cost. 
  • Typical home price per share: Around $100,000 to $500,000
Acquisition fees and ongoing costs are not publicly disclosed by Ember. Like Pacaso, there are also monthly maintenance and management expenses shared between co-owners.

Listing availability 

Ember has listings in fewer destinations than Pacaso and tends to focus on mountains, ski markets and beaches. Currently, it only operates in a handful of U.S. states, including Florida, Utah and California.

Ember pros and cons 

Ember is a good option for those who want fully-managed luxury vacation homes and may also want to rent out their unused time to help offset costs. However, due to their more limited listings, it's not the best for those looking for second homes in international locations. 
Pros Cons 
Option to rent out unused timeNo passive income by default (have to opt for Ember Flex)
Fractional ownership has a lower cost than fully buying a private vacation homeLimited listing locations and no international options
Maintenance, cleaning, and furnishing are all handledOngoing fees 

How does Ark7 work?

Image of the Ark7 homepage.
When comparing Ark 7 to Ember and Pacaso, it's somewhat of an odd one out — a completely different type of platform than the previous two. Ark7 positions itself as an accessible platform for fractional real estate investing. Unlike Pacaso and Ember, Ark7's platform doesn't let you enjoy the vacation home experience. Instead, Ark7 investors purchase fractional shares in rental properties and may earn passive income. Ark7 sources the properties and handles tenant management and operations. Investors receive a portion of the property's rental income and potential appreciation.

Key features 

Benefits of using Ark7.
Here are several of Ark7's key features:
  • Transparency: Ark7 advertises complete legal and financial disclosure and no hidden fees.
  • Curated listings: The platform uses a mix of AI and local expertise to hand-pick investment opportunities.
  • Professionally managed properties: Ark7 handles tenant management, maintenance and operations.
  • Monthly passive income: Rental income distributions are typically paid monthly.
  • Diversification: You can spread investments across multiple properties in different markets to reduce risk.
  • Accessibility: The platform aims to appeal to small investors who can invest in real estate with as little as $20.

Estimated costs 

Ark7's estimated costs include:
  • Typical investment minimum: $20 per share.
  • Acquisition fees: Around 3%.
  • Ongoing fees: 8 to 15% property management fee deducted from rental income.

Listing availability 

Ark7 offers fractional ownership in single-family rental homes and small multifamily properties across the U.S. It operates in 10 markets nationwide, including Dallas, Indianapolis, Fort Worth and Atlanta. However, their listings can also change frequently because some properties can fully fund quickly. 

Ark7 pros and cons 

Ark7 targets those who want to get into accessible real estate investing. However, it isn't the market for customers who want a vacation property that they can actually use. 
Pros Cons
Much lower barrier to entry than buying a property directly Investors have less control than they would if they directly owned the property
Potential for passive monthly income Liquidity is not guaranteed
Can diversify across multiple properties Relatively new company with a limited track record

How do you choose the right platform for your goals?

Use these three questions to guide your choice between these three platforms.

1. Do you want to personally use the property? 

This is the first question to ask yourself. It will help you determine if you want a lifestyle purchase or a purely financial investment. Consider your goals: Do you want to host family vacations several times a year and enjoy the property's amenities? If your answer is yes, Pacaso or Ember will be the most relevant options. These two are focused on second home co-ownership rather than passive investing. Instead of investing solely for financial returns, you're gaining access to a shared vacation home that you can personally enjoy. 

2. Are you focused on a specific destination or property type? 

Some buyers already know exactly where they want to own a second home and that's completely understandable, considering how much the destination shapes the experience. Popular choices are ski towns, wine country and beachfronts around the world.If you have a specific destination in mind, Pacaso may be the strongest fit. With listings across national and international destinations, you're more likely to find co-ownership in the exact place you want. Ember has a smaller selection, mostly focused on ski and resort destinations in the U.S., so your destination may not be available.

3. Are you purely interested in real estate investment returns without personal use? 

Maybe a vacation home lifestyle isn't your goal. Perhaps you are more interested in generating passive income, diversifying your portfolio or gaining exposure to real estate investing without directly owning a home. If that's you, Ark7 may be worth exploring. Instead of vacation home access, Ark7 lets investors buy fractional shares in rental properties and potentially earn monthly income with lower minimum investments. 

Why should I choose Pacaso for co-ownership?

The right platform comes down to what you want from the purchase. If you're after passive income without ever using the property, Ark7 lets you invest in rental real estate for as little as $20 a share. If you want a managed second home with the option to rent out unused time, Ember is worth a look, though its listings are limited to the U.S.But if your goal is a luxury second home you'll actually enjoy, with destinations across the U.S., Mexico and Europe, Pacaso is built for exactly that. With professionally managed LLC co-ownership, turnkey design and flexible scheduling, owning a share in your dream destination is straightforward from purchase to resale. Explore more about Pacaso's LLC co-ownership model and what it means to purchase a share in a professionally managed luxury property.

Pacaso vs. Ember vs. Ark7 FAQs

01: Is Pacaso a timeshare?

No, Pacaso is not a timeshare. Pacaso owners purchase a real ownership share in a home through an LLC co-ownership model. Owners benefit from potential home appreciation and can sell their share at any time.

02: Can I make money with Pacaso?

Although Pacaso is primarily for lifestyle enjoyment rather than investment income, owners may benefit if the property appreciates over time. Selling your share could potentially earn a profit. On average, Pacaso listings resell with a 10% gain.

03: How does scheduling work with Pacaso?

Pacaso's scheduling works through the SmartStay app. SmartStay helps co-owners reserve time at their second home throughout the year. The system ensures fair time reservations among co-owners by balancing stays.

04: Can I sell my Pacaso share?

Yes, you can sell your Pacaso share at any time for the price you choose. Pacaso also provides support through its internal resale marketplace to help connect sellers with qualified buyers.

05: What is the difference between co-ownership and fractional investing?

Co-ownership platforms like Pacaso and Ember let you purchase a deeded share of a specific property that you personally use and enjoy. Fractional investing platforms like Ark7 let you buy small shares in rental properties purely for financial returns — you never stay in the home. The key distinction is personal use: co-ownership is a lifestyle purchase, fractional investing is a financial one.

06: Is Ember available outside the United States?

No. Ember currently operates only in the U.S., with listings concentrated in ski, mountain, and beach destinations across states like Utah, Florida, and California. If you're looking for co-ownership in international destinations like Mexico, Europe, or the UK Pacaso is the only platform among the three that offers that.

07: How does Ark7 compare to traditional real estate investing?

Ark7 lowers the barrier to entry significantly. Traditional real estate investing typically requires purchasing a full property, managing tenants, and handling maintenance directly. Ark7 lets investors buy fractional shares for as little as $20, with Ark7 handling all property management and tenant operations. The tradeoff is less control and no guarantee of liquidity when you want to exit.

08: Can I rent out my share on Pacaso or Ember?

Pacaso homes are designed for personal use and are not structured as rental vehicles. Ember offers more flexibility through its Ember Flex program, which lets owners rent out unused time to help offset costs. Ark7 properties, by contrast, are always renter-occupied; owners never stay in them at all.

09: Which platform has the lowest cost to get started?

Ark7 has by far the lowest entry point, with shares available from as little as $20. Ember shares typically start around $100,000. Pacaso shares start at around $200,000 for a 1/8 interest in a luxury home. The right entry point depends entirely on your goal — passive investing, affordable vacation co-ownership, or a premium luxury second home experience.

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