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Interviewed by: Marina Salley, Head of Investor Relations
Written by: Bea Pablo, Staff Writer
Meet Jaime, Equity Villa Fund Investor, Mother, and lifelong explorer.
When we sat down with Jaime, a long-time investor in Equity Residences’ first fund, the Equity Villa Fund, it didn’t take long for the conversation to become an ode to travel, family, and the subtle luxuries that make a house feel like home, even if it’s a thousand miles away.
Jaime lives on the North Shore of Long Island with her husband and their three children. Jaime’s husband works at Corcoran, a top New York City real estate brokerage, often navigating the fast-paced urban world. Jaime manages the lively day-to-day rhythm at home. She is a stay-at-home mom and part-time real estate agent on Long Island. . “I’m kind of the Uber driver, the chef; just everything,” she says, laughing. “But I still help with real estate here and there.”Travel has always been important to Jaime. She speaks with the kind of thoughtfulness that comes from years of travel and a deep appreciation for beauty–in architecture, art, and everyday life.
Travelling Meant Family Time
Travel has always been a significant part of Jaime’s family tradition. The family spends many summers sailing to familiar and cherished destinations like Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod, continuing a long-lasting passion rooted in her husband’s lifelong love of sailing. Jaime values these trips not only for their recreational aspects but also for the quality time they allow her family to spend together. As the children grow, these adventures become more than just holidays–they are opportunities to build family memories that will last a lifetime.
When she and her husband discovered Equity Residences, they were immediately intrigued by the model and joined the Equity Villa Fund early on. The concept of shared ownership and access to beautiful, well-managed luxury homes across the United States [the Equity Villa Funds focus was on buying residences in the US] matched their goals for enriching family travel. “When we heard about Equity Residences. We were in the Villa Fund, so we were early in. It was a perfect match for us,”Jaime explained. “It allowed us to travel the way we love to, especially with a family of five. If we go somewhere, we’re always getting either suites or two hotel rooms, or we need a bigger home. And this just really fits our lifestyle.”
A Smart Investment for Family Vacations
Jaime shares how they found out about the investment: “We joined with a man named Steve. . He had heard about the investment fund and he’s one of my husband’s best friends. They have known each other since sailing since they were kids. And he said this is right up your alley. I want to invest in this.” At the time, Jaime and her husband had two very young kids, and it was a significant investment for them just starting out as a family. They split their buy-in with Steve, since initially they didn’t need the full two weeks their chosen level of investment afforded.
But, Jaime and her husband got more than what they counted on. Sometimes they would travel to the Equity Villa Fund homes, other times to the ThirdHome destinations, and some years they chose to collect cash dividends available to the Equity Villa Fund investors. As the family of funds grew and Equity Residences added more portfolio residences, Jaime’s family ventured to the Caribbean and Hawaii. “Sometimes I would get two, three trips in a year just off my half investment. It was amazing.” Jaime recalls, highlighting how the investment not only gave them access to incredible private vacation homes but also created opportunities for frequent family vacations.
Jaime explains how she used the fund extensively, “When you see a lot of dividends, that was mostly him [Steve]. I only took one on my side. I used it everywhere. I have a list of everywhere I went – multiple places. I have them all.” She recalls hearing about the fund at investor events in Manhattan, brought by friends who knew it through sailing circles.
Once she was involved, Jaime started browsing thousands of homes on ThridHome to pick the ones she wanted to save for future trips. “It was a great investment. Great investment. It brought so much happiness to our family. I just love it.” For Jaime, this was a win-win situation, a sound financial investment that also provided priceless memories and family experiences.
Jaime’s Favorite Trips
“Equity Residences in Turks and Caicos, right on Calk Sound.” When asked about her favorite trips, “One of the most beautiful homes that we stayed in. Not only did we get to go with our whole family. I brought my cousin and his partner, another friend, and their newborn baby down there. It was a huge [home], beautiful scenery.” The spaciousness and comfort of the residence allowed the whole group to relax and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings together.
Another home that holds a special place in Jaime’s heart is the villa in Princeville, Kauai. The memory of this location is more than just about the residence, it is about the feeling of connection and warmth it provided to her and her family. The Villa Fund offered expansive homes that were perfect for large families like Jaime’s, eliminating the inconvenience and lack of space that come with booking multiple hotel rooms. This balance of comfort and convenience fits perfectly with Jaime’s vision of family travel.
“Everything is out now. I found everything just nicely done. It was nice for our family. You know, most of their whole childhood has been spent in these beautiful homes and beautiful locations and so many family trips. It’s been really great. I can’t say enough. Truly, I could hear that. I loved it. I thought it was one of the best investments ever.”
A Decade of Vacations and Great Returns
Looking back over ten years of her investment in the fund, Jaime reflects on her experience with the Equity Villa Fund as both rewarding and fulfilling.“I got 10 years of vacation, and I got my money back and then some, so I thought it was great,”she says with satisfaction. Beyond financial return, Jaime praises the quality and thoughtful selection of the homes in the fund. “All the homes were in close proximity to everything we needed, grocery stores, privacy, safety, everything about the homes were top notch, the locations, everything.”This combination of practical benefits and comforts made each trip seamless and enjoyable. It allows Jaime and her family to focus on making memories rather than managing logistics.
She also highlights the exceptional support from the Equity Residences team throughout her journey. Mentioned that anytime she had inquiries about booking or was curious about a new home being added to the portfolio, she always received prompt and helpful assistance. “I’d send an email or just ask for something real quick,”Jaime explains. “They were always so great at getting right back to me and making the process so easy.”Equity Residences’ high level of customer service enhanced Jamie’s overall experience, making it easy for her to navigate the benefits of the fund without stress or confusion.
More Than an Investment: A Passport to Learning
For Jaime, investing in Equity Residences was never about luxury for its own sake, it was about giving her children a broader perspective on the world. “We used ThirdHome and took them to Aspen, slope side on the mountain,” she says. “They were five and four at the time. I have pictures of them eating these giant cookies they made every morning. And I’m just thinking, they don’t even know how lucky they are.”
Jaime firmly believes in travel as education. “I’m traveling; I feel like that’s how you grow. I think the best education is in the world,”she says.
That philosophy shaped her daughters’ childhoods. Her eldest was scuba certified by age ten, diving in places like Cabo, Turks and Caicos, and Hawaii. “It’s been a huge part of our kids—everything. Their best memories are these incredible places they’ve been.”
School schedules never got in the way.“I pulled them out of school… I did not plan around breaks. It was, ‘Let’s go,’”Jaime says with a smile. Living in New York gave them the flexibility to travel on holidays ranging from Rosh Hashanah to Chinese New Year.“I don’t know when they go to school. There’s so much time off,”she jokes.
A Love for Art and Culture
Travel wasn’t just about scenery, it was about substance. Jaime shared how cultural immersion was essential for her family. Their trips to Europe, especially Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, were deeply enriching.
With roots in both Italy and Germany, Jaime feels a strong connection to European heritage. “There’s something about walking the streets where your ancestors once lived, it grounds you. I wanted my kids to feel that.”
Jaime’s love for Europe couldn’t align more perfectly with one of our favorite offerings at Equity Residences, the Equity Euro Fund. It’s designed for people just like her: travelers who see Europe not just as a destination, but as a part of their story. “I’m so glad you are expanding to Europe,” Jaime said.“Amsterdam has my heart. I’ve been backpacking there since I was 21. It’s such an easy city to love. A canal house there would be amazing to add to the fund.”
The Euro Fund gives our investors first access to beautifully curated homes in some of Europe’s most iconic and historic cities. It’s a way to enjoy the cultural richness, the local flavors, and that slower, more meaningful pace of life, while also investing in something that holds long-term value. Best of all, it’s not just about vacations. The fund is built to be a smart, debt-free investment that can offset operating costs while offering rent-free vacations and preserve capital over time. Investors also gain access to other luxury homes worldwide through partnership with Elite Alliance and THIRDHOME, along with personalized concierge services to elevate every stay.
If the idea of sipping espresso in a sunlit piazza or exploring your roots on cobblestone streets sounds like your kind of lifestyle, the Euro Fund might be just what you’re looking for. Learn more about it here.
Building a Foundation of Memories
Jaime has been the planner, the packer, and the experienced curator. Building a mosaic of childhood memories for her children that spans oceans, cultures, and continents. Her Equity Residences journey has been more than an investment. It was a platform for curiosity, connection, and growth. From tropical beaches to art museums, and mountain chalets to old European towns, Jaime’s family didn’t just take trips, they built a life rich with stories. And for her, that’s the real return on investment.
As Jaime puts it, “It wasn’t just an investment for us, it was ten years of unforgettable vacations, memories with our kids, and homes that truly felt like our own. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
If you’re ready to invest in a lifestyle of movement, family, and long-term value, we’d love to get you started. Fill out the registration form here or reach out to our team anytime.
