Table of Contents
Interviewed: Marina Salley, Head of Investor Relations
Written by: Bea Pablo, Writer
How Thomas Evaluates His Investments
As we move through life, many of us dream of the freedom to travel without boundaries, to visit places we’ve always wanted to experience, and to bring our loved ones along for the ride. Thomas, a seasoned traveler and investor who has been in the trading business for decades, embodies this dream. Through his personal journey, we gain insight into how travel and smart investments can come together that balances adventure, family, and financial growth.
With a background in finance and decades of experience in hedge fund management, the Equity Platinum Fund 2 partner Thomas approached his investment with Equity Residences with a critical, yet enthusiastic lens.
When asked how he explains the opportunity to others, he keeps it personal and simple: “Hey look, I’m an equity investor with a group that buys luxury properties. And then in my investment level, I get to use the properties, any of them all around… They’re all around the United States, the Caribbean. They’ve moved over into Europe now.”
With years of investment experience under his belt, the structure made sense to him right away. “I looked at you and I said, oh, this is just like investing in a hedge fund, except I get to use the products that the hedge fund is actually immersing itself in.” He continues,“Generally speaking, you’ve got a 10-year lockup. And at the end of 10 years, they liquidate the properties that are in your pool. And as they liquidate the properties, you get your money back. Unless there’s been a market crash, you’ll get your money back. And you get 80% of any of the profits on a pro rata basis.”
For Thomas, the returns are both financial and personal. He has booked 14 trips with Equity Residences and more with ThirdHome since becoming a Founding Partner three years ago. “I think it’s a great deal because [Equity Residences Managing Directors]are very qualified and they’re buying the right houses. And I ran across several companiesthat were doing something similar to what you were doing.But I liked yours after I read through many of them.I liked yours a lot better because you were very specific in the homes you were picking. You weren’t just throwing stuff against the wall. You were creating funds, you were developing partnerships…and then you were taking that money and you were researching homes and picking homes that made sense.I was like, wow, those are those are good places. Those are great buys.”
His endorsement is strong enough that he’s shared it with friends and peers.“Everybody I’ve told it to under the same scenario said, ‘Oh, I get it. Yeah, that sounds really cool.’ In fact, I might have a couple [of people]for you in the next six months.”
He also speaks highly of the fund’s access to luxury: “We went to Costa Rica and stayed in a home that would’ve cost us $25,000 for the week. It was spectacular, and we paid nothing to stay there–just the cleaning fee. That alone makes the investment worth it.”
A life of Constant Adventure
When asked how he explains Equity Residences to others, Thomas doesn’t hesitate: “I tell them I’m an equity investor in a group that buys luxury properties,”he says.“And in my investment tier, I get to use any of those properties, from the U.S. to the Caribbean and now even in Europe.”
To Thomas, it’s not just a vacation club, it’s an investment with real upside.“I’ve invested in a lot of hedge funds, so I understood the model,”he explains. “Except in this case, I actually get to use the fund’s assets, which are these incredible homes. It’s a ten-year hold, and then they liquidate and return the capital–plus 80% profits.” His friends? “Once I explain it like that, they get it. A few even said, ‘Let me know–I might be interested in a few months.”Though Thomas and his wife Mary own three homes of their own–including a large house in Wisconsin, a condo in a Chicago suburb, and a new spot in Old Naples, Florida. They still enjoy traveling through Equity Residences and its affiliates. In fact, they’re frequently on the move.
Two Homes He Can’t Stop Returning To
When asked which Equity Residences destination he returns to the most, Thomas doesn’t hesitate. Two very different places hold a permanent spot on his itinerary: Belize and Lake Tahoe
In Ambergris Caye, Belize, he finds a different kind of luxury, one rooted in unspoiled nature and genuine hospitality. “There’s something about turning a corner on a golf cart and suddenly being surrounded by tropical jungle,”he says. “It feels adventurous, like we’ve truly escaped.”For Thomas and Mary, the magic isn’t just in the palm trees or the ocean breeze–it’s in the people. Franz, our residence host, has become an indispensable part of their experience. “He’s just phenomenal.”
Their second favorite destination is Lake Tahoe, the Northstar home. Although their trip in early December didn’t bring as much snow as hoped, the promise of the ski-in, ski-out location was undeniable.“I could just see it–with two feet of snow out your back door, skiing down on the lift near the Ritz, then heading up to the mountains. It would be incredible.”Beyond the location, the home itself was a highlight. “It’s a great ski house, plenty of room and the private club next door really elevated the whole experience.” Thomas shares. “We went there every day–swimming, hot tubs, the gym, and those big great rooms where we’d bring cocktails and snacks. It was like our own private lodge. I think we only ever saw one other group there.”
The outdoor hot tub, a familiar luxury from their own home in Wisconsin, sealed the deal. Compared to other ski towns that require driving, Northstar offered a seamless experience. “It’s phenomenal,”he says. “Exactly how we like to travel.” Before discovering their favorite destinations in Belize and Lake Tahoe, Thomas and Mary also spent time in Akumal, one of Equity Residences’ Equity Villa Fund homes.
At the time of writing, the Equity Villa Fund homes are undergoing liquidation while the fund is returning invested capital, the location left a lasting impression. “Akumal was beautiful,” Thomas recalled. “ There’s so much to do down there.”
What Set Equity Residences Apart
When asked about the due diligence process before joining Equity Residences, Thomas was candid: “Wow, you caught me on that one, I don’t remember the names, but I did look around.”
He briefly explored hoteloptions like the Four Seasons Peninsula, but they didn’t appeal to his lifestyle. “Mary loves to cook, and we do enjoy going out–but sometimes you just want a beautiful home, a pool, and we do enjoy going out–but sometimes you just want a beautiful home, a pool, a nice kitchen, and time to chill.” Hotels, even high-end ones, felt limiting. “Even when they say there’s a kitchen, it’s usually more of a kitchenette. What if we want to cook fish? Are we going to stink out the entire floor?”he joked.
The financials of staying at the hotel weren’t the main issue but they weren’t insignificant either. “You start looking at the bill after every dinner–it’s $300-$400 bucks . You think, wow, we could’ve had one hell of a meal at home for everyone.”For Thomas, Equity Residences offered a more lifestyle fit. What did stand out was Equity Residences’ partnerships with Elite Alliance and THIRDHOME. “That was a big plus. I’ve converted points to THIRDHOME. One time, my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and their three daughters wanted to do something for Thanksgiving break. I found them a gorgeous home in Hilton Head for three keys. A whole week–and they were floored. They loved it.”
The entry investment felt accessible. “It wasn’t extreme. It seemed very reasonable to me. And 10 years is certainly enough time for properties to go through full cycle. Although, let’s be honest, I don’t think the early Equity homes ever dipped–they probably just went straight up.”he said. “That’s where you guys are good.”
But perhaps the most important factor wasn’t the structure or perks–it was the people. “That was the big thing for me. When I first called, I talked to Greg and I think I talked to you, too,”he recalls. “I asked good questions, and you gave me good answers. I was like, oh, you know what? I liked these folks–that means a lot to me. I’ve got to like the product and the people. I don’t do business if I don’t.”
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Family, Flexibility, and the Joy of Travel
With eight kids and a full house of seven grandkids, family has always been the focal point of Thomas’s travels. Before joining the fund, he often footed the bill for large-scale getaways. “We’d bring the whole crew up from Australia and the U.S., meet in Hawaii, and stay at Turtle Bay,”he recalls. “It’s called the Ritz-Carlton now, but it’s still phenomenal.”
Thomas and Mary used to rely on housekeepers and nannies when the children were younger, especially when travel and career demands peaked. “When you’ve got eight kids, you need a lot of support,” he says. “We had to hire help. There’s no way around it.” Equity Residences made this kind of travel more manageable. “It gave us a way to plan trips where the houses were big enough to bring family and friends, without feeling like anyone was burdening dad for a $500-a-night room,”he says with a laugh. “We just cover cleaning fees and tips. That’s it.”
Maintaining multiple homes in the U.S. has its own set of challenges especially with property taxes. “The taxes alone in Wisconsin and Florida can give you a headache,”Thomas shares. “That’s why the fund model works so well for us. It relieves some of the strain while still letting us enjoy beautiful homes.”Now their calendar is filled with travel to stunning homes in Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, and wherever the next adventure calls. “Friends and family are joining both legs. It’s easy to organize because we can plan ahead and make use of the homes the way we want.”
The Future of Travel Investment
Looking ahead, Thomas isn’t slowing down, he’s still traveling, still investing, and still focused on making every trip meaningful. More time with family. More unforgettable experiences. More value out of every investment.
As Thomas would say, “Once you start sitting down, it’s over.”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.
