Equity Residences
Equity Residences is a U.S.-based private real estate fund manager that pools capital from accredited investors into 10-year closed-end funds to acquire, manage, and rent luxury vacation residences, distributing returns 80/20 to investors and the General Partner.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersKailua Kona, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Equity Residences does
Equity Residences is a U.S.-based private investment fund manager that pools capital from accredited investors to acquire, professionally manage, and ultimately liquidate portfolios of luxury vacation residences in premier destinations. Founded in 2012 by Greg Salley, Steve Dering, and John Long, the firm operates a series of closed-end, 10-year PE-style funds — currently including the active Equity Platinum Fund 2 ($50M target, 160 investors, 16 homes) and the recently launched Equity Euro Fund (€35M target, first close of €4.96M in August 2025) — alongside earlier vehicles (Equity Villa Fund, Equity Platinum Fund). The operating model is debt-free acquisition of fully-furnished luxury homes that double as both cash-flowing short-term rental assets and lifestyle-use properties for fund investors, with profits distributed under an 80/20 split favoring investors and the General Partner receiving carried interest at liquidation.
The GTM is sales-led and relationship-driven: the firm runs webinars, virtual portfolio tours, and one-on-one presentations targeted at high-net-worth individuals and family offices, supplemented by SEO/content, a YouTube channel, and investor referrals. The platform's differentiated value layer comes from third-party exchange partnerships — notably ThirdHome (30,000+ residences across 100+ countries) and Elite Alliance — that materially expand investor travel flexibility beyond directly owned properties, alongside hospitality tie-ups such as the Eden Roc Cap Cana Beach Club membership for Platinum Fund investors. Property underwriting targets 6–10% cap rates on U.S./Caribbean assets and up to ~15% yields in Europe, with over 90% of raised capital deployed directly into residences rather than fees.
Revenue mechanics are twofold: (i) management/administrative fees funded out of gross rental income generated when fund homes are not in investor use, covering operating costs and enabling modest dividend distributions, and (ii) 20% carried interest to the GP at the end of each 10-year fund term upon asset liquidation. The company is a small operator (11–50 employees), headquartered in Sanford, North Carolina, with operating geographies spanning North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
Equity Residences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Equity Residences
- Legal name
- Equity Residences LLC
- Website
- https://equityresidences.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Equity Residences is a U.S.-based private real estate fund manager that pools capital from accredited investors into 10-year closed-end funds to acquire, manage, and rent luxury vacation residences, distributing returns 80/20 to investors and the General Partner.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Equity Residences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kailua Kona
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Equity Residences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Fund Management Fees: Investors pay management fees which are covered through rental income generated from properties when not in use by investors. Annual operating costs are offset by rental revenue, with dividends distributed once costs and reserves are covered.
- Performance/Carried Interest: At fund liquidation after 10 years, investors receive their initial capital plus 80% of appreciation profits. The General Partner (Equity Residences) receives 20% of profits as carried interest, aligning GP and investor incentives.
- Rental Income: Properties generate rental income when not occupied by investors, covering annual operating costs (insurance, HOA fees, taxes, utilities, maintenance). Income helps offset investor fees and enables dividend payments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equity Platinum Fund 2 - Open fund targeting luxury vacation homes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Equity Residences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Equity Residences operates closed-end private equity-style funds that pool capital from accredited investors to acquire and professionally manage portfolios of luxury vacation residences in premier destinations (e.g., Hawaii, Park City, Lake Tahoe, New York City, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe). Investors commit capital for a 10-year fund term, receive rent-free usage rights in the fund's owned properties during that period, share in 80% of property appreciation at liquidation, and benefit from rental income that offsets annual operating costs. Complementary partnerships (Elite Alliance, ThirdHome) extend travel access to tens of thousands of additional luxury homes worldwide.
Product overview
Equity Residences operates a luxury real estate investment fund platform offering multiple closed-end funds (Equity Platinum Fund, Equity Platinum Fund 2, Equity Euro Fund, Equity Villa Fund) that pool capital from accredited investors to acquire and manage vacation rental properties in high-demand destinations worldwide. Investors receive usage rights during each fund's 10-year term, share in 80% of capital appreciation upon liquidation, and benefit from rental income that offsets annual fees. The platform provides access to diversified portfolios of luxury homes across North America, Caribbean, and Europe, with properties managed professionally to maximize both lifestyle value and investment returns.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Equity Platinum Fund 2 Open closed-end fund launched in 2022 (projected close 2027) targeting $50M to acquire 16 luxury vacation homes ($2-5M average) across premier destinations including Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and European markets; 160 investors; 10-year term with anticipated liquidation in 2037.
- Equity Euro Fund European-focused fund launched October 2025 targeting up to €35M to acquire luxury vacation homes (€1.5M-€3.5M each) across prime European destinations including south of France, Italian Lakes, Spanish coastal regions, and Alpine areas. First close raised €4.96M in August 2025.
- Equity Platinum Fund First closed-end fund (now closed to new investors) that established the company's model of pooling investor capital to acquire vacation properties in premier destinations such as Maui, New York City, Park City, Lake Tahoe, Italy, Costa Rica, and beyond.
- Equity Villa Fund Earlier fund structure that pioneered the company's approach to shared vacation home ownership and investment returns, attracting accredited investors who received annual dividends through personal use of homes in addition to appreciation-driven investment gains.
Quantifiable outcome
- Rent-free vacations worth $28,000-$100,000 annually
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Equity Residences
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Equity Residences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Equity Residences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ThirdHomecoreStrategic partnership enabling Equity Euro Fund investors to access ThirdHome's global portfolio of 30,000+ luxury residences across 100+ countries through a credit-based exchange system. Members receive club membership as part of their investment, with nightly rates as low as 10% of average rental value. Complements Fund's European properties in Florence, Rome, and London.
- Eden Roc Cap Cana Beach ClubcorePartnership providing Equity Platinum Fund investors full membership to Eden Roc Cap Cana Beach Club, including exclusive beach access, infinity pools, spa access, and dining at La Palapa and Blue Grill restaurants. Located minutes from Cap Cana Resort villa via golf cart.
- Elite AlliancecorePartnership providing investors access to hundreds of additional luxury homes worldwide beyond the Fund's directly owned properties, enhancing travel flexibility and portfolio value.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Equity Residences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inspirato: Inspirato is a luxury vacation club offering curated homes and hotels via annual membership plus the Inspirato Pass. Like Equity Residences, it sells luxury real estate-backed vacation access to HNW consumers, though it operates as a subscription club rather than an investment fund.
- Exclusive Resorts: Exclusive Resorts is a private members' club with a portfolio of hundreds of luxury residences in premier destinations, founded on the same residence-club model pioneered by Equity Residences board member Steve Dering at Deer Valley. Direct comparable for HNW vacation real estate access.
- Kohlrabi (Private Escapes / Quintess): Private Escapes / Quintess operates a luxury residence club with access to a curated portfolio of high-end vacation homes globally. Overlaps Equity Residences on luxury vacation-home usage rights for affluent consumers, though structured as a club membership rather than an investment fund.
- Pacaso: Pacaso offers co-ownership of luxury vacation homes for buyers seeking usage without full ownership burden. It is the most direct competitor to Equity Residences, though Pacaso uses a co-ownership deed model rather than a closed-end PE fund structure.
- Equity Estates: Equity Estates operates a fund-of-funds model pooling investor capital to acquire and manage luxury vacation homes across Europe and globally. Nearly identical product construct (closed-end fund, multi-property portfolio, usage + appreciation) to Equity Residences.
Regional players
- Vacasa: Vacasa is one of the largest vacation rental management companies in North America, managing short-term rentals for individual property owners. Comparable in operating professional management of luxury vacation rentals though on the supply/management side rather than the investment side.
Broad incumbents
- Travel + Leisure Club: Travel + Leisure (formerly Wyndham Destinations) operates the largest vacation ownership exchange network and timeshare business. Broad incumbent in timeshare/points-based vacation real estate; comparable distribution and consumer-segment dynamics to Equity Residences.
- Disney Vacation Club: Disney Vacation Club is the largest branded timeshare/vacation-ownership program, selling deeded interest in resort units. A broad incumbent in vacation-ownership real estate, much larger scale and lower-end price points than Equity Residences but addressing the same underlying consumer need.
- Hilton Grand Vacations: Hilton Grand Vacations is a public timeshare and vacation-ownership company. As a broad incumbent in the vacation-ownership space, it offers comparable consumer-facing products (usage rights to vacation properties) but at materially lower price points and via a points/interval structure.
- Four Seasons Private Residences: Four Seasons offers branded private residences and residence club programs at luxury resort destinations globally. A broad incumbent in luxury branded residential real estate, comparable high-net-worth buyer profile and premium hospitality positioning to Equity Residences.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Equity Residences social profiles
Digital presenceEquity Residences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Equity Residences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Equity Residences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Equity Residences M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Equity Residences
What does Equity Residences do?
Equity Residences operates closed-end private equity-style funds that pool capital from accredited investors to acquire and professionally manage portfolios of luxury vacation residences in premier destinations (e.g., Hawaii, Park City, Lake Tahoe, New York City, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe). Investors commit capital for a 10-year fund term, receive rent-free usage rights in the fund's owned properties during that period, share in 80% of property appreciation at liquidation, and benefit from rental income that offsets annual operating costs. Complementary partnerships (Elite Alliance, ThirdHome) extend travel access to tens of thousands of additional luxury homes worldwide.
Is Equity Residences a public or private company?
Equity Residences is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Equity Residences founded?
Equity Residences was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Equity Residences based?
Equity Residences is headquartered in Kailua Kona, United States, in the North America region.
How does Equity Residences make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Fund Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are performance/Carried Interest and rental Income.
Who are Equity Residences's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inspirato, Exclusive Resorts, Kohlrabi (Private Escapes / Quintess), Pacaso and Equity Estates. Vacasa is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Travel + Leisure Club, Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations and Four Seasons Private Residences.
Does Equity Residences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Equity Residences.