Hidden Gems: Meet Patricia Joseph of Zen Host Properties

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Joseph.

Hi Patricia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Real estate has always been more than a career interest for me—it’s been a lifelong fascination. Long before short-term rentals became mainstream, I was drawn to the idea of *homes as experiences*, especially vacation homes.

When my children were younger, our family would often rent a vacation home owned by a coworker of mine, who also happened to be the travel manager at the law firm where I worked. This was well before platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo existed. Those stays left a lasting impression on me. They weren’t just trips—they were moments of connection, rest, and memory-making. I loved how a thoughtfully cared-for home could shape the entire vacation experience for a family.

That love for real estate eventually became more formal when I earned my real estate license in 2016. I spent several years working primarily with first-time homebuyers, helping people take one of the most meaningful steps of their lives—homeownership. But even then, my interest in vacation properties never went away.

In 2021, I decided to follow that passion and enrolled in a vacation rental property management course. That decision became the true turning point. It opened my eyes to the potential of vacation rentals not just as investments, but as spaces intentionally designed for comfort, ease, and well-being—for both owners and guests.

Today, Zen Host Properties is the result of that journey.

Zen Host Properties is a wellness-focused, boutique vacation rental property management company that blends my passions for healthy living, real estate, and vacation rental homes. We believe that where you stay matters—and that calm, clean, thoughtfully managed spaces lead to better experiences, better reviews, and better returns.

At its core, Zen Host Properties exists to help property owners create memorable, high-quality stays while giving guests a place to truly relax, recharge, and feel at home—just like those early vacation homes did for my own family.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly—but that’s true of starting almost any business, especially when you’re entering a new industry.

One of the biggest challenges has been building trust, without social proof. When a property owner entrusts Zen Host Properties with managing their home—often one of their largest investments—I don’t take that responsibility lightly. Trust isn’t something you can rush. It’s built over time through consistency, transparency, and showing up even when there’s no immediate payoff.

Another challenge has been the reality of continuous marketing while bootstrapping. When you don’t have a massive budget behind you, visibility requires creativity, discipline, and persistence. You’re constantly planting seeds—conversations, outreach, content, education—knowing that you won’t always see the results right away.

There were moments when progress felt slow, especially during the relationship-building phase. But I’ve learned that not seeing immediate results doesn’t mean nothing is happening. It means trust is being formed behind the scenes.

Staying focused on the long-term vision has been key. When you’re clear on your values and committed to your goals, you keep moving forward—even when the path isn’t smooth. And over time, that commitment compounds into stronger relationships, better outcomes, and a business built on intention rather than shortcuts.

We’ve been impressed with Zen Host Properties, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Zen Host Properties is a boutique, wellness-focused vacation rental property management company designed for owners and investors who want more than just basic management. We specialize in creating calm, clean, thoughtfully managed short-term rental experiences that are designed for five-star stays—for guests and stronger performance for owners.

What sets Zen Host Properties apart is our intentional blend of hospitality, wellness, and strategic marketing. We don’t just manage properties—we actively promote them. In addition to full-service management, we prioritize visibility through multi-channel marketing, including social media promotion, paid advertising, optimized listings, and strategic outreach beyond traditional booking platforms. This approach helps properties stand out in crowded markets and reach guests where they already spend time.

We’re known for being hands-on, transparent, and relationship-driven. Owners and investors aren’t treated like account numbers—they’re partners. We take the responsibility of managing someone’s property seriously and focus on long-term performance, trust, and care rather than quick wins.

Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that Zen Host Properties is rooted in intention. The brand reflects my passion for healthy living, real estate, and spaces that feel good to be in. Every property we manage is approached with the belief that well-designed, well-maintained, and well-promoted homes create better guest experiences—and better results for owners and investors.

I want readers to know that Zen Host Properties exists for owners and investors who value quality, calm, and thoughtful management of their investment. Whether someone is new to short-term rentals or struggling with an underperforming property, our goal is to bring clarity, care, and a wellness-forward perspective to vacation rental management—while doing the work it takes to help properties truly thrive.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t necessarily believe in luck, at least not in the traditional sense. I believe every person has the capacity to design their life through the choices they make, the effort they put in, and the values they commit to.

Of course, things happen in life and business that feel outside of our control—some good, some challenging. But I tend to see those moments less as “luck” and more as cause and effect. Decisions, preparation, timing, and consistency all play a role in shaping outcomes, even when the results aren’t immediate or obvious.

In business especially, what looks like good luck is often the result of showing up repeatedly, building relationships, and staying committed through periods where there’s no visible reward. And what feels like bad luck usually becomes a lesson that sharpens your clarity, resilience, or direction.

So instead of waiting on luck, I focus on intention—being thoughtful about how I build, how I serve, and how I respond when things don’t go as planned. Over time, that approach tends to create its own opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zenhostproperties.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenhostproperties
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenhostproperties
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zen-host-properties/
• Other: https://silverwoodsanctuary.carrd.co/

Image Credits
Zen Host Properties