| Key takeaways |
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| Traditional second-home ownership can be costly, stressful, and difficult to manage. Pacaso offers a modern solution through luxury co-ownership, allowing buyers to purchase a share of a home, enjoy professional management, and share costs and responsibilities with a small group of owners. Each property is held in a dedicated LLC, giving co-owners legal ownership, transparency, and full control once all shares are sold. |
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What is Pacaso?
Pacaso, founded by former Zillow executives, is a technology-enabled platform that modernizes second-home ownership. Instead of buying an entire home alone, buyers can purchase a share of a luxury property, enjoying the benefits of ownership while sharing costs and responsibilities with a small, carefully selected group of co-owners.Each Pacaso home is held in a dedicated LLC, allowing buyers to purchase as little as one-eighth of a property, with a maximum of eight owners per home. Once all shares are sold, Pacaso no longer retains ownership, giving co-owners full transparency and control over their investment.How does Pacaso work?
Owning a second home can be expensive and stressful, with unpredictable maintenance and scheduling conflicts. Pacaso simplifies the process by combining true property ownership with professional management and flexible access.Here’s how Pacaso co-ownership works at a glance:- Pacaso purchases a luxury home in a desirable destination.
- An LLC is formed to legally hold the property and simplify shared management.
- Buyers purchase a share, starting at one-eighth of the home.
- Each home has a maximum of eight owners, ensuring meaningful access for everyone.
- Pacaso retains no ownership once the home is fully sold — every owner has a direct stake in the property.
What makes Pacaso homes special?
Pacaso homes are intentionally designed to feel like true retreats — not just places to stay, but places you genuinely look forward to returning to. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to deliver a consistent, high-end ownership experience across locations.- Sought-after destinations: Pacaso homes are located in premier second-home markets, from coastal enclaves and mountain towns to iconic city escapes. Each location is chosen for long-term desirability, lifestyle appeal, and the kind of setting owners want to return to year after year.
- Thoughtful, stylish interiors: Each home is professionally designed and furnished by Pacaso’s in-house design team. Homes are Design Certified meaning layouts, furnishings, and finishes are selected specifically for shared ownership — balancing durability, comfort, and elevated style so the home always feels welcoming and well cared for.
- Fully managed from day one: Pacaso handles everything behind the scenes, including furnishing, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, and bill payment. Homes are professionally prepared before every stay, so owners arrive to a space that feels effortless, consistent, and ready to enjoy.
How do Pacaso alternatives compare?
Many buyers unfamiliar with the Pacaso business model ask the same question: is Pacaso a timeshare? The short answer is no. But to fully understand how the Pacaso business model works, it helps to compare it to the most common second-home options available today.| Pacaso alternative | Pacaso advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term rentals | Short-term rentals can be costly, inconsistent, and impersonal. Properties don’t always match listing photos, quality and cleanliness can vary, and renters build no equity or long-term connection to the home. | Owners enjoy consistent, professionally managed luxury homes they legally own, with predictable access and reliable quality every time they arrive. |
| Timeshares | Timeshares are typically “right-to-use” arrangements with restrictive schedules, rising fees, and limited flexibility. They rarely appreciate, and resale values can be 30–50% lower than the original purchase price. | Pacaso owners hold true real estate ownership through an LLC share, with transparent resale options and the potential for appreciation. |
| Full ownership | Buying a second home outright requires a significant upfront investment and ongoing expenses — along with full responsibility for maintenance, bills, insurance, and scheduling. | Ownership costs and responsibilities are shared among a small group of owners, while professional management handles the day-to-day, allowing owners to enjoy the benefits without the full-time burden. |
| DIY co-ownership | Co-owning with friends or family can reduce costs, but without a formal structure, disagreements over usage, expenses, or exit plans are common. | Pacaso co-ownership is structured through a professionally managed LLC, with clear scheduling, shared governance, and built-in resale pathways that eliminate many common points of conflict. |
Why is Pacaso the smart way to buy a second home?
If you’re wondering, “how does Pacaso work for second home buyers?” The answer lies in its modern approach to luxury second-home ownership — one that blends the rewards of owning a vacation home with professional management, flexibility, and peace of mind. Rather than purchasing a second home on your own, Pacaso allows buyers to co-own a luxury property, sharing costs and responsibilities while still enjoying true, deeded ownership.Being a Pacaso owner is about more than just time in a house — it’s about enjoying a vacation home without the work.Owners benefit from:- Stress-free ownership: Legal ownership of a luxury home without full-time management responsibilities.
- Luxury, turnkey experience: Fully furnished homes in desirable locations, professionally managed from top to bottom.
- Flexible and fair access: SmartStay™ scheduling ensures equitable, predictable use for all owners.
- Financially sensible ownership: Shared costs, flexible financing, and transparent resale make it easier to own a second home.
- True property ownership: Each LLC share represents legal ownership of a single-family home — not just “time to use.”
- Limited number of owners: Maximum of eight per home, compared with dozens in traditional timeshares.
- Swap opportunities: Exchange time in other Pacaso homes to explore new destinations.
- Pacaso resale: Sell your share at any time with help from Pacaso’s vetted pool of buyers.
How does Pacaso work? FAQs
01: What is Pacaso?
Pacaso is a technology-enabled luxury co-ownership platform founded by former Zillow executives. It allows buyers to own a share of a professionally managed luxury second home, rather than purchasing an entire property on their own. Owners enjoy true real estate ownership while sharing costs and responsibilities with a small group of co-owners.
02: How does Pacaso work?
Pacaso purchases a luxury home and creates a dedicated LLC for the property. Buyers then purchase shares of that LLC, starting at one-eighth ownership. Each home has a maximum of eight owners, and once all shares are sold, Pacaso retains no ownership. Owners book time, share expenses proportionally, and enjoy a fully managed, turnkey experience.
03: Is Pacaso a timeshare?
No. Pacaso is not a timeshare. Timeshares typically offer a “right to use” a property for a limited period, with many owners and little resale value. Pacaso owners hold true property ownership through an LLC share in a single-family home, with flexible usage, a limited number of owners, and the ability to sell their share on the open market.
04: What is LLC co-ownership?
LLC co-ownership means the home is owned by a limited liability company created specifically for that property. When you buy a Pacaso share, you own a portion of the LLC, which gives you legal ownership rights, proportional responsibility for expenses, and the flexibility to sell your share at any time through Pacaso’s transparent resale process.
05: Does buying a Pacaso work like a regular real estate transaction?
Yes. Purchasing a Pacaso share closely resembles a traditional real estate transaction. Buyers go through standard legal documentation and a formal closing process. Local real estate agents partner with Pacaso and receive commission when buyers successfully close on a Pacaso home.
06: Can I finance a Pacaso purchase?
Yes. Pacaso offers buyers access to competitive mortgage financing for up to 70% of the home’s purchase price. Buyers may also use other funding sources, such as cash, a HELOC, or a personal line of credit.
07: How do owners schedule time at the home?
Owners schedule stays using the Pacaso app, which is designed to ensure fair and flexible access based on ownership share. You can book stays throughout the year—from as little as two days to as far as 24 months in advance—and there are no fixed selection periods.
08: What happens if I want to sell my Pacaso share?
Selling a Pacaso share is straightforward. Owners set their own price with guidance from Pacaso, and shares are listed on Pacaso’s marketplace, where they’re visible to interested buyers and other co-owners. Because you’re selling an LLC interest rather than the entire property, the process is typically faster and simpler than a traditional home sale. Historically, many Pacaso shares have sold at an average appreciation of around 10%, though returns can vary.
09: What costs are included with Pacaso ownership?
Pacaso owners share the ongoing costs of the home based on their ownership percentage. This typically includes maintenance, cleaning, utilities, insurance, property taxes, and management services. Because expenses are shared and professionally managed, owners avoid surprise costs and the logistical burden of handling these items themselves.
010: Can I rent out my Pacaso home when I’m not using it?
Pacaso homes are designed primarily for personal use, and owners are prohibited from renting out their Pacaso homes. This approach helps maintain the quality of the home, ensures fair access for all owners, and preserves the residential character of the property.









