A timeshare by How Pacaso created a ‘fracas’
By:Janis Mara W hether you call it fractional
homeownership, co- ownership or a straight-
ahead timeshare, one thing’s for certain: timeshares are not exactly popular in the North Bay. Case in point: This February, when fractional homeownership company Pacaso agreed in a legal settlement not to increase the number of homes it manages in St. Helena, “There was general rejoicing,” says Pat Smith of StopPacasoNow.com, an organization with more than 700 members. When Pacaso began managing a house in Sonoma Valley in 2021, “Stop Pacaso” signs sprung up overnight, neighbors protested and elected officials were deluged with complaints. San Francisco-based Pacaso was launched in 2020 by real estate tech titans who, many believe, sought to disrupt the timeshare sector. Whether or not Pacaso actually qualifies as a timeshare is an ongoing debate, but nevertheless the recent settlement has drawn attention to the timeshare industry.
Photos by Duncan Garrett Photography
28 NorthBaybiz
April 2024
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