Our Story Rooted in Purpose
Time away should bring us back to what matters — to presence, to belonging, and to a more intentional way of living
In a world that seems to move faster every day, we long for places that help us slow down — places that feel both grounding and expansive.
At Esterre®, we believe second homeownership should offer more than an escape. It should offer a return. A rhythm. A sense of belonging.
We set out to perfect the co-ownership model — to make it fair, equitable, and flexible. Our owners hold real equity in a thoughtfully designed collection of homes across Washington’s most beloved landscapes — from sun-warmed islands to forested peaks — all within easy reach, and all fully managed with care.
Each home is crafted with intention and attention to detail, so every stay feels like coming home. When the ownership term ends, the homes are sold, and each owner receives their pro-rata share of the total proceeds. Until then, you move at your own pace — season after season — with homes that move with you.
A history of sharing
The idea of sharing a second home isn’t new. My first experience dates back to the 1960s — a humble cabin near Mt. Baker, tucked deep in the woods and only reachable by snowshoe. We shared it with four other families from my hometown of Bellingham, Washington. It was rustic, remote, and unforgettable.
That shared experience sparked something enduring — a deep appreciation for place, and for what it means to return.
Years later, that early spark helped shape my path. In 1974, my father co-founded Vacation Internationale — one of the first companies to pioneer the shared ownership model. I later led The Walt Disney Company into the timeshare business with the highly successful Disney Vacation Club, and went on to build Les Saisons in Sun Valley, Idaho. Each step deepened my belief in what co-ownership could offer and how it might evolve for the way people live now.
Esterre is the culmination of that journey. It’s a model built for today’s owner — someone who values ease and equity, design and discovery, the rhythm of return. In partnership with Windermere Real Estate, we’ve created a platform that offers access to a curated collection of homes across Washington’s most iconic landscapes — with none of the burdens of upkeep, and all the comfort of coming back.
As you explore this collection, I hope you’ll feel the possibilities. This is a new way to own.
Your homes away from home — made for ease, designed for presence.
Michael Burns
Founder & CEO
What sets Esterre apart
Equity ownership with your share of the resale proceeds
Access to a growing collection of homes at no additional cost
All within an easy drive from Seattle
Guaranteed nights and space-available travel flexibility
12-year term with a defined exit
Fully furnished, beautifully maintained homes
No upkeep or management to worry about
No pressure to choose just one location
No rigid week-based allocations
No unpredictability of short-term rentals
Where your time away feels like coming home
Esterre is for people who seek more than just a getaway.
It’s for those who want their time away to feel grounded, not rushed — who long for places that invite presence, but also leave room to explore. Morning rituals, winding backroads, forest hikes, shoreline discoveries. This is ownership for those who find meaning in both stillness and movement.
It’s for families building traditions, couples seeking renewal, friends reconnecting, and anyone who knows that a full life includes both quiet and adventure.
It’s for those who are ready to own — not just a place, but a way of living that follows the seasons, invites exploration, and makes space for what matters most.
A different way to own. A deeper way to belong
Esterre isn’t about excess or escape. It’s about presence — the kind that builds over time, across places, and through seasons that feel more your own.
With one ownership interest, you gain access to a collection of thoughtfully chosen homes, the freedom to return throughout the year, and the space to live more intentionally — not just on vacation, but as a way of life.
If that feels like your kind of ownership — we’d love to tell you more.