The Element Story
Element Vacation Homes came into existence with the signing of our very first property. The co-founders, Matthew and Heidi Deal, had previously established and operated ParamountVR, a property management company located in South Lake Tahoe, California. At its peak, Paramount managed a flourishing portfolio of 45 properties. However, a significant hurdle emerged when Measure T was introduced. This proposed ordinance aimed to outlaw rentals in the area, a challenge that Paramount had to face head-on. Despite efforts to combat it, Measure T was eventually passed.
In the face of this challenge, Matt and Heidi collaborated with a consultant to strategize the best path forward for their business. Ultimately, they made the decision to entertain offers for the purchase of ParamountVR. A few years later, Matt and Heidi had relocated to Central Florida. At this point, a former Paramount owner reached out to them with a unique proposition: selling one of their Tahoe properties and using a 1031 exchange to invest in a property in Florida. The sale of a 3-bedroom property in California led to the acquisition of 24 bedrooms’ worth of homes in Florida – a 14-bedroom property in Solterra and a 10-bedroom property in Encore. These two acquisitions laid the foundation for what would eventually become Element Vacation Homes.
With a history of trust established over time, the homeowner was confident in the Deal’s vision, even though Element Vacation Homes was not yet fully established. This faith served as motivation to build something exceptional. News spread that Matt and Heidi were once again making their mark, and within a short span of 4.5 months, Element had grown to 18 properties. During this period, we temporarily paused all growth as we diligently focused on making all properties ready for guests. It’s important to note that each of our properties underwent significant theming, demanding extensive design and project management efforts. Notably, our smallest property was 8 bedrooms.
As time went on, Element Vacation Homes underwent evolution, yet we remained committed to our boutique approach with a focus on expanding our portfolio of large, distinctive, and themed vacation rentals that are conveniently located near Walt Disney World and other local attractions. Through our journey, we have maintained our dedication to providing exceptional experiences for our guests.
