5 Tips For Buying A Vacation Home In 2025

‍1. Consider the type of investment you’re making

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Naturally, a second home abroad has its appeal but, it is not an acquisition for the faint-hearted and it’s important to consider what kind of investment a holiday home represents for you. Here are some of the questions you might ask yourself:‍

How and how often will you use the property?

Do you want equity?

How long will you want to keep your holiday home?

Do you have the capacity to maintain your property from afar? 

‍Holiday homes make great investments but sole ownership comes with more financial burden and responsibility as opposed to co-ownership, for example, where you still have equity but the responsibilities over the asset are shared. Understanding exactly what you want from a holiday home is essential and having clarity in this area will streamline your journey to owning property abroad too. 

2. Choose a location for all seasons

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Some of the best places to buy a vacation home in Europe and beyond are those where there is appeal 365 days a year. Italy is in the spotlight as one of the top places for real estate this year, and it’s no surprise as it caters to all travel tastes and even should season will impress.

Considering who will be using the holiday home and their needs is a top tip for buying a vacation home in 2025. Active families will be drawn to Tuscany’s lyrical landscape, while solo buyers or couples may love the buzz of a city like Barcelona. Think of what is important to you, your family and any guests that might join you to refine your search criteria.

If you find that the prospect of venturing to a variety of locations more appealing than returning to the same spot every time, a more flexible option might make more sense, financially and experientially. Co-ownership with August Collections, for example, gives you access to four or five homes across different European hotspots - a turnkey solution to enjoying year-round holidays.

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3. Make key local connections early

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This leads us to the most important piece of advice for buying a vacation home in 2025 and beyond. Insider knowledge is power and working with the right people in the country, region and/or specific neighbourhood that you’d like to buy into is essential. From assessing the local real estate market to making connections with architects and contractors for any home renovation works, this is always best done as early as possible. Likewise, working with lawyers and solicitors that know the legal landscape will ensure you acquire property safely and compliantly within that specific country as legalaities and regulations often change from region to region, particularly in France and Italy.

Consider language barriers and bear in mind that it can take years to get to know a region in such a capacity: “Knowing the right local people that understand the different regulations across countries and regions, that type of knowledge comes with months, if not years of working with lawyers, contractors, surveyors and architects,” says Antonio de Tommaso, August Collections’ Real Estate Acquisition manager for Italy and the UK. “It’s a lot of networking, visiting the region and spending time with agencies and vendors, you really need to be present in the market in which you wish to buy, to find the perfect properties that meet your criteria, as we do for August Collections.” Doing so will see you likely enjoying better rates and hearing about hot properties on the market ahead of other buyers. 

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4. Ensure your property meets all your essential criteria

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Something that the August team looks for in properties is not just good architectural bones, but also prized locations; with all homes well connected for travelling to and from the country, and exploring the wider neighbourhood or region. To make the most of your holiday home, you want to tick all of the boxes, including access and local amenities.

This is easier done in a city location like Rome, whereas if you’re heading to the French Alps, you will need to make sure your property is within reach from an airport with international flights (depending on your starting location). You would also want to be close to a grocery store and interesting locales where you can soak up the charm of the region. Something that seems so simple isn't always easy to get right from afar, highlighting the importance of having connections with locals who know the area well or the time to visit the area in person.

5. Decide whether you want to be hands-on, or off

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Buying international property is an exciting prospect but comes with a high level of responsibility and, depending on the type of property and experience you want, will be time-consuming to ensure everything goes smoothly. Buying a home in France, for example, requires due diligence in regards to pests, flood risk and insurance. Furthermore, forecasting pre-emption rights and following fluctuations in buying requirements (that can change at any given moment and slow down the buying process) is a full-time job; having a dedicated property acquisition expert can be invaluable.

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From buying to maintaining your property from afar, a turnkey solution to owning property abroad with August Collections co-ownership model certainly has its appeal. Many Homeowners vouch for how it has changed the way they travel and allows them to simply enjoy time exploring Europe with their nearest and dearest, without having to worry about everything that comes with buying a second home. To hear more, speak to one of our Expert Advisors and request a brochure to see beautiful vacation homes abroad.