For years, Jason and his family loved traveling together.
Like many families, they explored different ways to create memorable vacations without the hassle of planning everything themselves. Before discovering GoForth, they had spent several years as members of a luxury travel club, enjoying incredible experiences in destinations like Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina.
The trips were unforgettable. But over time, one question kept coming up:
What are we actually building with all of these annual fees?
That question eventually led them to luxury vacation home co-ownership.
From Luxury Travel Membership to Real Ownership
Before COVID, Jason’s family belonged to a luxury travel club and genuinely enjoyed the experience. The concierge service, beautiful homes, and curated trips helped them visit places they might never have considered on their own.
But as life changed and their children grew older, they started thinking differently about travel.
Instead of simply paying for experiences year after year, they wanted something that combined lifestyle with long-term value.
“We had great vacations,” Jason explained. “But just paying money year after year never seemed like the greatest alternative.”
When he reconnected with longtime industry contact, Adam Gardell, and learned about GoForth’s co-ownership model, the concept immediately made sense.
Instead of renting experiences, they could actually own a luxury residence.
Why the Dominican Republic Made Sense
Location mattered.
Living in Minneapolis, Jason travels frequently for work and wanted a destination that was easy to reach. Direct seasonal flights to Punta Cana checked an important box.
After considering other Caribbean destinations, the Dominican Republic stood out for several reasons:
- Convenient access from Minneapolis
- Growing popularity as a luxury destination
- Strong long-term development potential
- The reputation of the St. Regis and Marriott brands
- A resort environment with restaurants and amenities within walking distance
“Everything seemed to sort of fall into place,” Jason said.
More Space for Family, Less Time in Separate Hotel Rooms
As their children entered adulthood, family vacations started to look different.
The days of squeezing everyone into multiple hotel rooms were becoming less appealing. What mattered most wasn’t necessarily the destination itself, but the time spent together once everyone arrived.
Today, Jason and his wife are traveling with their oldest son and his fiancée. Instead of coordinating separate rooms, everyone shares one residence with common spaces, a kitchen, and room to simply enjoy each other’s company.
“It’s those little moments,” Jason explained. “Having breakfast together, watching a game at night, just hanging out in the mornings. That’s what makes the difference.”
For families with adult children, vacation home ownership creates something hotels often can’t:
Shared time.
The Investment Side Was Important From Day One
Jason laughs when he says it, but as a finance-minded person, the investment side mattered immediately.
“Day one,” he said.
Their goal wasn’t simply to own a vacation property. They wanted a residence that could potentially appreciate over time while also helping offset ownership costs through rental income.
Because the residence is professionally managed through a branded hospitality program, they never worried about becoming full-time landlords.
The Marriott affiliation provided another layer of confidence.
“It’s not us trying to throw something on Airbnb and manage it ourselves,” Jason said. “The brand gave us comfort.”
For them, the equation was simple:
- Enjoy luxury vacations they would already be taking.
- Build equity instead of paying annual membership fees.
- Generate potential rental income.
- Benefit from professional management.
Why Trust Mattered
Jason admits he may not have been the very first owner in the residence.
Seeing other experienced owners participate helped provide additional confidence. Existing relationships and trust in the GoForth team played an important role in their decision.
“I probably wouldn’t have done it if I was the first one,” he said.
That transparency and community aspect helped remove much of the uncertainty often associated with fractional ownership.
Resort Living With the Comforts of Home
One surprise Jason appreciated was the combination of private ownership and resort amenities.
While previous vacations had involved beautiful standalone homes, he discovered he enjoyed having restaurants, pools, and services within walking distance.
“It’s kind of nice to have both,” he said.
Instead of choosing between a private home and a resort experience, they found a balance between the two.
Watching the Property Grow
Because they purchased during the early stages of development, they’ve been able to witness the property evolve firsthand.
Each visit has brought new improvements, familiar staff members, and a stronger sense of community.
“The same people are still here each time we come back,” Jason said. “You can see their progression and watch everything getting better.”
For him, being part of something growing has become part of the experience itself.
What He Tells Friends About GoForth
When people ask about their vacation home, Jason keeps the explanation simple:
“I’m a quarter owner of a condo. GoForth matched four owners together and manages everything.”
Simple.
And that’s exactly how he likes it.
Luxury Vacation Ownership Built Around Real Life
For Jason and his family, this wasn’t just about buying real estate.
It was about creating a place where adult children still want to gather.
It was about replacing recurring travel expenses with ownership.
And most importantly, it was about making sure the memories they were already creating could come with lasting value.
Because sometimes the best vacations aren’t the ones spent moving from activity to activity.
They’re the quiet mornings, late-night conversations, and shared meals that happen when everyone is finally together.