New study reveals pent-up demand for affordability, flexibility and financing alternatives— signaling a redefinition of the American Dream
Pacaso, the tech-enabled marketplace for co-owned luxury vacation homes, released findings from a national survey it commissioned and Pollfish fielded in July 2025. The research offers the clearest view yet of a growing movement: second-home ownership through shared equity. Findings show the model is moving into the mainstream. 80% of U.S. adults view professionally managed co-ownership as attractive, and over 75% say shared costs would make them more likely to move from browsing to buying. Interest is strong across the board, with 68% of U.S. adults open to Pacaso’s model. This mirrors a broader shift: Zillow’s 2024 Consumer Housing Trends Report found that 63% of recent buyers co-purchased their primary home, underscoring the normalization of shared ownership.
“The 30-year mortgage gained popularity when the microwave, LP record and cable TV were brand new,” said Austin Allison, Pacaso co-founder and CEO. “It hasn’t kept up with the way people actually live. Buyers today want optionality—multiple homes, less debt, and financing that fits modern lifestyles. That’s the future we’re building toward.”
Key insights from the survey reveal widespread demand for smarter vacation-home ownership models:
- Mainstream appeal: 80% of adults are interested in the idea of owning a fraction of a home that comes fully furnished and is professionally managed.
- Price unlock: 64% would consider buying a second home if they could split the cost of ownership instead of shouldering it alone.
- Market validation: 68% of U.S. adults favor Pacaso’s second-home co-ownership model, topping the 63% co-buying rate among primary homebuyers in Zillow’s 2024 Consumer Housing Trends Report.
- Trend confirmation: Americans are rethinking how they buy vacation homes, prioritizing flexibility, access and shared costs over outdated ownership models.
- Cross-generation interest: Millennials and retirees register nearly equal enthusiasm for co-ownership, at 66% and 63%, respectively.
- Heartland lift: Residents of small towns and rural areas are 23% more likely than coastal counterparts to consider co‑ownership; Midwestern shoppers put lake regions at the top of their wish list.
- Borderless ambition: 55% of Americans want to vacation on U.S. beaches and 40% favor lakes, yet 1 in 5 crave the Caribbean and nearly as many dream of Italy, destinations that mirror Pacaso’s expansion pipeline.
- Maintenance fatigue: 46% cite upkeep as a top deterrent to purchasing a second home, highlighting demand for turnkey service.
Financing remains one of the biggest blockers in traditional vacation home ownership. One-third of survey respondents say that difficulty securing financing is a top barrier to buying. Second-home loans continue to carry federal fees worth up to four points, and many buyers lack access to innovative or flexible financing options. Among those open to co-ownership, 74% of respondents say flexible financing would be a key factor in their decision to proceed.
Global demand is fueling Pacaso’s next phase of expansion. Survey findings show strong interest in international second-home destinations, aligning with demand trends Pacaso is seeing across its portfolio. The company will unveil its future growth plans, including expansion strategy and platform developments, during a live broadcast from the New York Stock Exchange on August 26.
To learn more or participate in Pacaso’s current growth round, visit www.pacaso.com/invest.
SOURCE: Pacaso
CONTACT: [email protected]
