Q1: How did you first get introduced to Pacaso, and what was your initial impression?
My journey to Pacaso began from a very personal place — a dream that started in the middle of a cold Canadian winter. During the harsh winter of 2021, amid COVID-19 lockdowns and ice storms in Toronto, I found myself dreaming of an escape to warmer climates: the Florida sun, the sound of the ocean, and the idea of finally owning a vacation home.It was a dream I’d held for nearly 20 years, ever since a conversation with a former boss who owned a modest Florida property. When I finally began researching seriously, reality hit quickly. The beachfront home I envisioned was priced around $4 million — far beyond my $500,000 budget. Even with financing, the ongoing carrying costs, maintenance responsibilities, and the fact that I’d only use the home four to six weeks a year made traditional ownership financially impractical.That dream felt out of reach — until I discovered the concept of co-ownership. That’s when I found Pacaso.When I first came across Pacaso, it was a pivotal moment. My initial impression? I was blown away. Here was a Silicon Valley–backed company that had cracked the code for affordable luxury living. Pacaso wasn’t just offering co-ownership — it was delivering a fully managed, turnkey solution with professional design, hassle-free maintenance, smart scheduling technology, and integrated financing. It felt like I had found the ultimate answer.In my book, I describe Pacaso as a “paradigm-shifting solution” because it turned what once felt like fantasy into something real and attainable. My takeaway was simple: Pacaso built the model that made the impossible finally possible.
Q2: What made you confident in recommending Pacaso and promoting it in general?
At first, I was impressed by how the Pacaso model opened doors for people who once believed owning a luxury vacation home was impossible. Emotionally, it felt revolutionary — a concept that could truly redefine the entire second-home industry and create new opportunities for countless dreamers.But what ultimately gave me confidence wasn’t just the idea — it was the people and the proof behind it.Leadership & track record
What gave me instant trust in Pacaso was the leadership behind it. Spencer Rascoff (former Zillow CEO) and Austin Allison (founder of Dotloop) aren’t just successful tech entrepreneurs — they’re true real estate visionaries who understand both innovation and property ownership. Their advisory board includes some of the most respected names in the industry, and with $1.5 billion in funding and backing from top-tier investors, Pacaso’s credibility felt undeniable.These are people who clearly know what they’re doing – equipped with the experience, data, and resources to evaluate markets and validate concepts at the highest level. I remember thinking, “They’re definitely smarter than me — and that’s exactly who I want to partner with.”A proven model
Results speak louder than words. Pacaso now has over 2,000 satisfied owners, 90,000 nights booked, a $1B real estate portfolio, and operations in 40 global destinations. A 4.8-star Trustpilot rating and a 95% design satisfaction rate confirm this isn’t marketing hype — it’s real success at scale.Real estate asset
As a real estate investor, I immediately recognized the strength of Pacaso’s model. Unlike timeshares, Pacaso provides true property ownership — real equity, appreciation potential, and all the advantages of holding a tangible real estate asset. At the same time, it offers something traditional ownership can't: flexibility, accessibility, and variety through its innovative swap feature, giving owners the freedom to enjoy different destinations much like the convenience of hotels or timeshares –without sacrificing ownership value.Resilience by design
From an investor’s perspective, the Pacaso model appeared remarkably resilient across different market cycles — that was my logical conclusion. When markets are strong, share values naturally rise with the tide, reflecting appreciation in the underlying real estate. But when interest rates climb and affordability declines, co-ownership becomes not just an attractive alternative — it might become the only accessible path for many buyers to step into luxury ownership, fueling demand and, in turn, supporting share values. Pacaso’s structure adapts to both climates, making it, in my view, a smart and sustainable model in any market.Personal alignment
As a licensed realtor, mortgage agent, and real estate investor with a multimillion-dollar portfolio — and someone who has always valued innovation that delivers real, lasting results — I saw in Pacaso a model that passed every test: financial, operational, and philosophical. It represents exactly what I believe in: smart, efficient investing, true hard-asset ownership, and the freedom to live your dream today, not someday.Q3: What do you wish more real estate agents understood about Pacaso?
I have a chapter in my book: Redefining Rules — The Game-Changing Solution. So, I wish more agents understood that Pacaso empowers them to offer something truly revolutionary.This is not just another home; it’s a lifestyle transformation that opens doors to experiences previously out of reach. Pacaso doesn’t compete with traditional ownership — it expands the market, creating homeowners out of people who might otherwise rent, stay in hotels, or never own a vacation property at all.Agents who promote Pacaso are not only salespeople but also educators and advisors, helping clients realize dreams they once thought impossible.I also wish agents recognized the power of leverage within the Pacaso model. With the ease and flexibility of Pacaso financing, buyers can control a multimillion-dollar asset, enjoy all the benefits of luxury ownership, and potentially participate in appreciation over time.Finally, agents should understand that Pacaso solves real problems, such as affordability barriers, management headaches, and underutilization. It’s a legitimate, modern solution for sophisticated buyers seeking maximum return and enjoyment.From my own marketing experience, I’ve learned one important lesson: if you promote only “savings” or “affordability,” you attract the wrong audience. The real message is value, access, and lifestyle transformation — that’s where Pacaso truly shines.Q4: How does Pacaso enhance the second-home ownership experience?
In my book, From Dream to Reality, I describe Pacaso as “the bridge between dreams and reality.”Pacaso transforms second-home ownership from a burden into pure joy — it eliminates every pain point traditionally tied to owning a vacation property and replaces them with simplicity, flexibility, and freedom.Eliminates the “second job” problem
Traditional vacation homeownership often feels like work, from coordinating maintenance and paying bills to arranging cleaners and worrying about an empty property. You finally arrive for a short vacation and end up busy fixing things instead of relaxing. Pacaso changes everything. They handle design, furnishing, cleaning, repairs, utilities, taxes, insurance, and reserve funds. You simply arrive, unpack, and start living your dream.Adds true flexibility
With SmartStay™ scheduling and the Swap program, Pacaso gives owners freedom to enjoy different destinations or travel seasons. This model turns ownership into a flexible lifestyle — the pure expression of what I call “living the life of your dreams.”Upgrades the Asset
Instead of owning a modest $500,000 property, my clients can now own a share of a $2M – $3.5M luxury home with resort-level amenities, the difference between a basic condo miles from the beach and a luxury waterfront estate just steps from the sand.Freedom from debt and stress
In my book and blog, I explain that traditional buyers dreaming of a $5M home often put down $1.5M and take on a massive mortgage for the remaining $3.5M. With Pacaso, that same $1.5M can buy a share in a $9M home — no mortgage, no debt, and no financial strain. Even better, if a $5M home is ideal, an ⅛ share might cost around $800,000, almost half the typical down payment — again, without a mortgage.No debt, no carrying costs (with smart strategy)
Using strategies I outline in my book, Pacaso owners can invest their remaining (saved) capital in cash-flowing assets that cover their monthly Pacaso ownership fees. That means they enjoy their dream home without debt and without out-of-pocket carrying costs.Pacaso doesn’t just enhance second-home ownership — it completely redefines it. It’s not about owning a property; it’s about owning your freedom, your time, and your dream.
Q5: What feedback have you received from clients?
Many clients who discovered Pacaso through FloridianHome.ca tell me the same thing: “I can’t believe this was possible.”While my book From Dream to Reality has reached over 2,000 readers and I’ve spoken with numerous interested prospects. The most common feedback includes:- “This sounds too good to be true.” I address this by sharing Pacaso’s proven track record, leadership team, and the thousands of satisfied owners already living the dream.
- Excitement about accessibility. Many thought luxury vacation homeownership was forever out of reach — until they learned about the co-ownership model.
- Curiosity about the numbers. I actually love these discussions, because the math works beautifully once you factor in shared costs, appreciation potential, and dramatically lower carrying expenses.
- Relief about management. Busy professionals are thrilled by the idea of owning without the hassle. The turnkey, fully managed model resonates deeply with them.
Q6: If you had to describe Pacaso to another real estate agent in just a few words, what would you say?
Main message:
"Pacaso is where Silicon Valley innovation meets luxury real estate — making dream homes accessible through smart co-ownership, backed by proven leadership, and wrapped in hassle-free, turnkey management."Value proposition for agents:
"Unlock the luxury market for your clients. Pacaso turns $2M second homes into accessible $400K opportunities — with you earning on every share sold."About the agent
