| 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. |
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| Pacaso | Ember | Ark7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Luxury second home co-ownership | Co-owning vacation homes in resort destinations | Passive investing |
| Ownership model | LLC co-ownership | Fractional LLC co-ownership | Fractional shares in rental properties |
| Primary purpose | Personal use of a second home several times per year | Personal use of a vacation home with rental flexibility | Rental income and property appreciation |
| Do you stay on the property? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of co-owners per home | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Many investors per property |
| Property management | Managed by Pacaso | Managed by Ember | Managed by Ark7 and property managers |
| Destinations available | Across the U.S., Mexico and Europe | U.S. ski, vacation and resort destinations | U.S. residential markets |
How does Pacaso work?

Key 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.
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 attainable | Not ideal for first-time homeowners who want to live in a home full-time |
| Luxurious turnkey amenities and furnishings | Can't make passive income off the property |
| Property management and scheduling are taken care of | Monthly owner expenses and fees to plan for |
How does Ember work?

Key features

- 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
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 time | No passive income by default (have to opt for Ember Flex) |
| Fractional ownership has a lower cost than fully buying a private vacation home | Limited listing locations and no international options |
| Maintenance, cleaning, and furnishing are all handled | Ongoing fees |
How does Ark7 work?

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.








