About Us
Get to know your hosts
Al & Elissa
The husband-and-wife duo behind Rather Be Properties, passionate about creating 5-star stays and unforgettable memories.
Our Story
Our journey began in Dubai in 2014, where we fell in love and married just eight months later to the song “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit — a name that now lives on through our business. Ten years later, we’re proud parents to two beautiful girls and passionate advocates for meaningful family travel.
Rather Be Properties started with just the two of us and a shared dream. What began as a side project has grown into a thriving, family-operated short-term rental management company. Today, we combine our love of travel with personal experience to create spaces where families and travelers feel truly at home.
We’re dedicated to maximizing the potential of every property we manage while delivering exceptional 5-star service — ensuring guests enjoy stays filled with comfort, care, and unforgettable memories.
What makes us unique
We go beyond the basics to create stays that truly feel like home — especially for families — and we also curate great adults-only getaways.
- Family-friendly essentials: cribs, toys, books, games, and thoughtful entertainment.
- Adults-only escapes: ski trips, off-roading adventures, and bachelorette celebrations in Palm Springs.
- A full-time team of 10, including former Airbnb guest experience specialists, IT and bookkeeping pros, and an in-house design division, Rather Be Design, crafting stylish, functional interiors.
Whatever the occasion, we’re here to help plan a memorable escape tailored to your needs.
Al
Financing & Contracts
- Extensive background in residential real estate; nationally recognized among the top 1% of mortgage loan originators in the United States every year since 2015.
- Experience across residential wholesaling and flipping, long-term acquisitions, apartment syndications, private equity, and short-term rentals.
- Passionate about numbers, execution, growth, and giving back.
- Leads strategic growth, investor relations, and vertical integration for Rather Be Properties.
Elissa
Team & Guest Communication
- 10+ years of experience in 5-star hospitality.
- Served at world-class, 5-diamond resorts including Hayman Island, The One & Only Great Barrier Reef (Australia), and Atlantis The Palm (Dubai).
- Specializes in team training and development.
- Known for thoughtful communication and consistently exceeding guest expectations.
We look forward to hosting you
Please reach out with any questions. Our team is happy to help you plan a memorable stay.
Contact info
- Phone: (949) 407-7448
- Email: support@ratherbeproperties.com
Broker License #349468
North Carolina Firm #C40000