7 Tips for Buying a Vacation Home

Drawing on our expertise here at August Collections, this is how to go about co-ownership if it's your first time to reap the most beautiful benefits of your co-ownership investment.

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1. Choose your dream location

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The French Riviera, rural Tuscany and the Balearic Isles – all idyllic August home settings – are some of the most coveted destinations to buy a vacation home in Europe. Each embodies a unique lifestyle and its own cultural heritage, with craft, customs and cuisine particular to the region. With such rich diversity, choosing where to buy a second home is the first hurdle in your homeownership journey.

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2.  Spend time in your new neighbourhood

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As tempting as it may be to buy a holiday home on first viewing, visiting a potential vacation property at different times and – ideally – in different seasons can help you to imagine your new life there. Immerse yourself in the local neighbourhood, discover your favourite restaurants and food markets and travel throughout the wider region to be certain that it is a lifestyle you can picture yourself living – before you invest. Be sure to factor in the time and expense of making multiple visits, however. We have plenty of local August travel guides to keep close by, should you be visiting Monti in Rome, Barcelona and more of our favourite hotspots in Europe.

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3. Determine your budget

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Although a little unromantic, setting a realistic budget before you even start looking is essential when buying vacation homes abroad. There are many different costs to consider, aside from the property purchase price. Legal fees, estate agent fees, notary fees, inspections, taxes, mortgage fees, utilities and maintenance can add up to an eye-watering figure. That dream home renovation in the South of France could soon become a nightmare if the cost of renovation spirals – not to mention the expense of furnishing your new home before you can start enjoying it.

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4. Understand the local property market

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If you have fallen in love with the rolling countryside, celebrated vineyards and artistic heritage of Tuscany, commit to researching the local real estate market before taking a leap and buying a vacation home there. Explore market trends, look at property values and understand the economics of the region, so that you can make an informed decision.

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5. Consider the legalities

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Buying a vacation home in Europe can be fraught with obstacles and restrictions for those not resident in the country in question. Each region will have its own set of regulations, visa requirements, property ownership laws, taxes and so on. Navigating the red tape may need the expert advice of a local lawyer, which is also something you should factor into your budget.

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6. Visit a handful of properties

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Pictures can be compelling, but visiting multiple properties in person is the key to finding the perfect vacation home in Europe. Explore a handful of homes, weigh up the locale of each and how much work would be needed to transform them into your dream home, then make a final decision.  

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7. Seek the expertise of a local real estate agent

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The guidance of a local estate agent is invaluable – from understanding the language to knowing the nuances of each area and being able to negotiate on your behalf. Finding and buying vacation homes in Europe without support on the ground is a daunting task. When you co-own a Collection of European homes with August, local expertise is included in the service, which is how we find and curate the most coveted homes in each region.

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Co-ownership with August can unlock the European dream, effortlessly

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We take care of every detail

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From finding the most enviable vacation homes to handling renovations, interior design and ownership legalities, August makes buying a second – and fifth – home in Europe effortless. Every detail is considered – flight connections, accessibility, local community, amenities and elevated details –  to make your every stay memorable.

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We curate the perfect blend of homeowners

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Every aspect of the August co-ownership model is meticulously curated, down to the homeowners who share a Collection with you. By considering each homeowner’s preferences, we ensure that you enjoy the places you love, as much as possible, while fostering trust and transparency.

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An August Collection unlocks the European dream

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Why choose one place to buy a vacation home in Europe when, with an August Collection, you can live five unique lifestyles in the Continent’s most desirable destinations? Co-own a Collection of Pied à Terre apartments in Paris, Rome, Cannes, Barcelona and London from just €365,000, or five enviable abodes in Tuscany, the French Alps, Côte d'Azur, Mallorca and the Cotswolds with our Signature, Premium and Prime Collections. Arrange a call to unlock your dream today.