Meet Cesar Fernandez | Director of Public Affairs, Pacaso

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cesar Fernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Cesar, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Across the world, millions of second homes stay empty for most of the year. By facilitating the co-ownership of second homes for up to 8 families, Pacaso is better utilizing housing stock and making second home ownership possible and enjoyable for more people. We are so excited to offer several amazing Pacasos in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys, as well as in more than 30 top second home destinations.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pacaso is the modern way to buy and own an amazing second home for ⅛ the price. Pacaso modernizes the generations-old practice of co-owning a second home. Pacaso takes care of everything – from curating the best listings in top second home markets and offering integrated financing, to professional interior design and furnishings, and then adding professional management and technology to make scheduling dates and owning the home seamless and simple.
Employee
I started my career working in government, then political campaigns, and then the private sector. Throughout my time in the private sector I have advised dozens of fast-growing technology companies on how to navigate and partner with the government. The truth is most people who work in tech or tech-enabled startups take the government for granted and the inverse is generally the case too. However, I believe tech companies can work with governments to solve public problems. This understanding of public-private partnerships is what I aim to bring to Pacaso. There is no secret that the United States is facing a serious housing affordability crisis. To get out of it, we need to do 2 things: rethink how our existing housing stock is used and build more housing. At scale, Pacaso contributes to the former by helping families co-own a second home rather than furthering the status quo, where second homes stay vacant for most of the year. Throughout that we’ll learn valuable insights of tourism trends, economic impact to communities, and the supply/demand of housing stock – all valuable data that governments can use to make decisions and plan for growth.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a quintessential Miami evening, I would probably start off with happy hour at Amara or Lido Bayside Grill at the Standard, two amazing waterfront restaurants. There’s something about facing Biscayne Bay while sipping on a drink that really makes you fall in love with this incredible city. Then I’d go eat at dōma in Wynwood or Macchialina in Miami Beach for some of the city’s most incredible food and wine. For the ultimate Miami experience, I’d cap the night off with some live music at Ball and Chain.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I spent nearly four years working at Uber during the hyper-growth phase of the company’s history. While there are too many of my former colleagues to individually shoutout, I worked with some of the smartest people in the private sector. They taught me how to dream big, think creatively, and solve problems efficiently.
Website: https://www.pacaso.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pacasohomes/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacasohomes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PacasoHomes