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For Bob and Susan, travel has always been a passion, one they’ve nurtured through years of exploring new destinations and embracing life abroad. When they joined August’s Signature Collection, they loved the variety, the freedom from maintenance, and the thrill of having five of Europe’s beautiful destinations at their fingertips. But after a year and a half of unforgettable Signature stays, they found themselves dreaming bigger: larger suites, expansive kitchens, and even more stunning views. That dream led them to upgrade to the Premium Collection. In this conversation, they share the story of that leap, and how moving from Signature to Premium has transformed the way they travel.
Bob: I’m Bob, I recently retired from a career as a Human Resources executive in the services industry, having spent most of my professional life in restaurants, hotels, and retail so I have a deep familiarity with the hospitality and leisure space.
Susan: And I’m Susan, I worked in the food service industry as an executive assistant for over 20 years before stepping away when we relocated. We’ve moved four times now, and we’re currently based in Virginia Beach, Virginia in a walkable coastal community with about 700 homes and the beach just a block away.
Bob: Another key factor about us is that we don’t have children, so we have the freedom to travel as often and for as long as we like, something that’s always been a true passion of ours. We've traveled extensively throughout our lives. For about 15 years, we also co-owned a home in Kauai, Hawaii, with Susan’s sister and brother-in-law which gave us first-hand experience with shared ownership and the joys of having a home in a destination we love.
Eventually, they wanted to spend more time there, so they offered to buy out our share. What’s relevant here is that this freed up the capital we had invested in, giving us the opportunity to consider what our next step should be.
Bob: I actually discovered August quite early in their journey, back when they were just beginning to sell their first Signature Collection. I came across them online while researching co-ownership models, which is something I’ve always been intrigued by. I’ve known friends who co-owned lake homes, so the concept had been on my radar for a while.
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What really caught my attention was that August addressed some of the challenges we experienced with traditional second home ownership. Having owned our property in Kauai, which we absolutely loved, we realised that every vacation meant going back to the same place. As beautiful as Kauai is, we started feeling like we were missing out on discovering other parts of the world.
The other issue was maintenance. Every time we arrived, I ended up being the "fix-it" guy, hanging blinds, replacing light fixtures, doing repairs. The first few days of each trip felt more like work than rest. So when we began considering our next step, I knew I wanted to enjoy the benefits of ownership without the responsibilities of upkeep.
That’s when August stood out as a compelling alternative. Their model seemed to check all the boxes: variety, flexibility, professionally managed homes, and no maintenance headaches. I had in-depth conversations with the sales team, and they even connected me with current owners. I had a long and reassuring call with another American owner based in Baltimore, who had done his own legal due diligence on the business model and everything checked out.
Initially, we looked into investing in a single-property co-ownership through August, which they were exploring in the early days. But ultimately, we decided to move forward with the Signature Collection, which gave us access to multiple beautiful homes in desirable destinations.
Bob: I did quite a bit of research before choosing August. I spoke at length with various companies, including some of the major fractional ownership groups in the U.S. Two of the big players over here offer a model where you buy in, and then the homes are sold after about 10 years. I found that interesting because it provides a built-in exit strategy, which does have its appeal.
However, the main drawback for us was that we really wanted to spend more time in Europe, and the U.S.based companies had very limited European options, typically just one or two properties. Additionally, their portfolios tended to focus heavily on coastal and beach destinations. While we certainly enjoy places like Florida or Hawaii, we already live on the coast in Virginia Beach, so we were looking for something different, something that would let us experience life abroad in a more immersive and meaningful way.
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Once we narrowed our focus to Europe, I explored several models there. There was one other concept similar to August, called 21-5 which offered a comparable co-ownership setup. But at the time, they weren’t welcoming U.S. investors and didn’t seem to be expanding much. In contrast, August was growing steadily and acquiring some very attractive properties, which made a strong impression.
I also looked into a few other options, some Italian outfits with beautiful homes, and a few single-property offerings but we had already decided we didn’t want to be tied to just one home again. We felt that on one end of the spectrum you have individual ownership, and on the other, large-scale models with dozens of homes. What appealed to us about August was that five homes felt like the right balance, offering variety and flexibility while still allowing us to get to know each destination in a more personal way.
Bob: A lot of people don’t fully understand the co-ownership model, and I can’t tell you how many times, when I’ve explained what we’re doing, the immediate response is: “Oh, so it’s a timeshare?” - but it’s not.
There are five key factors I evaluated when deciding whether co-ownership and specifically August was right for us:
Access to the Weeks You Want
With some models, owners constantly compete for peak weeks or certain properties, which can be frustrating. One thing I appreciated about August is the way their booking system is structured, it’s staggered and fair, so we’ve always been able to secure the weeks we want, or very close to them.
Consecutive Weeks Are Possible
This was a major factor for us. Traveling from the U.S. to Europe, we don’t want to go for just a week, we want to stay for two, three, even four weeks at a time. Our ideal is taking two four-week blocks per year, and August allows for consecutive bookings, which many other models couldn’t guarantee.
Quality and Long-Term Maintenance
Maintenance was another big consideration. With any shared ownership, you need confidence that the properties will be well maintained, not just today, but over time. I did wonder about how major capital upgrades would be handled after 10 years. I think August has done a good job, though I suspect there may be future cash calls for bigger updates. That’s not a negative, it’s just a realistic part of being a co-owner in an LLC structure.
Cost Transparency and Markup
This is where I found a big difference. I analysed the actual purchase prices of the properties across several models, particularly the U.S. ones that promise to sell the portfolio after 10 years and distribute profits. What I found was that many had 20–25% markups over the real property value. That meant the homes would have to appreciate by at least that much before any profit would be seen.
In comparison, the August markup was much lower, by my calculations, around half that, which felt more reasonable and transparent. It gave me greater confidence in the efficiency of the investment.
Exit Strategy
Exit is always a concern with fractional ownership. The U.S. models have a fixed 10-year window, which is appealing in some ways, but also inflexible, what if I have a health issue after five years and can’t travel anymore?
With August, there’s no fixed term, but they have a resale mechanism in place, and because they’ve invested in desirable locations and properties, I have confidence there will be a market when the time comes to sell. There’s always an element of a leap of faith, but it’s one I’m comfortable with.
Susan: We had been with August for about a year and a half in the Signature Collection when, one day, Bob said, “I think I want to upgrade our Collection.” I was so surprised and said, “What do you mean? We’ve only been in this Collection for a year and a half!”
But once we took a closer look, we realised the homes in the Premium Collection were more refined in terms of the design, locations, and the overall quality really stood out compared to our Signature Collection. It quickly became clear why the upgrade made sense.
Bob: At the end of the day, we were genuinely having a great time, it honestly exceeded our expectations. We were really enjoying the whole Signature Collection experience. That said, I’ll admit there were a few drawbacks with our Collection. For example, we felt some of the primary bedrooms, baths and kitchens were quite small, particularly in the Cotswolds cottage and Chamonix condo.
One of the main reasons we chose Premium was the quality of the real estate. We actually visited multiple properties in the first Collection and were genuinely impressed. When I met with August’s CEO Mélie, she encouraged me to consider the second Premium Collection, but when a resale became available in the Premium One Collection, I was already convinced that was the one that fit our interests.
Bob: Probably the biggest differences for us have been the primary suites and kitchens, they’re definitely a level up. The bedrooms in our Premium Collection are a lot more spacious. And the kitchens are fantastic. I love to cook, having spent most of my career in the restaurant industry, so I really appreciate how well-equipped they are. They’re spacious enough to cook with friends and family, and everything is top-quality.
Another pleasant surprise has been the outdoor living spaces. They’re even better than I expected, multiple areas to sit, relax, and enjoy the surroundings, which really enhances the experience.
Even the overall size of the homes is noticeably bigger, so it really makes a difference in how you live in and enjoy the homes.
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Susan: Tuscany was the first home we experienced in the Premium Collection, it’s just beautiful! We didn’t get to use the pool because the weather was cooler and it was too cold to go swimming, but the setting alone is stunning. The pool area is perched on the hillside, overlooking Montecatini, and the view is absolutely beautiful.
In fact, Bob gifted a couple of our weeks to his brother and their family, and my sister-in-law said, “I want to move here. I want to live in this house.”
Bob: Building on what Susan said, one thing that really stands out is how August manages to capture character and charm.
We all want the charm and character of an old home, but with the comforts and reliability of modern conveniences, like proper plumbing, insulation, and electrical systems. Many genuinely old homes can be beautiful but lack those essentials. August has found a great niche where they offer homes that look timeless, but have modern functionality.
The homes in Tuscany, the Cotswolds, and others we’ve visited really fit that bill. They each have distinct personalities, yet you can tell they’re thoughtfully built and well-maintained.
The home in the French Alps is a bit different, it’s a chalet-style property, and its charm comes from that alpine character, which is equally beautiful in a different way.
Another thing we’ve really appreciated is August’s interior design approach. Their team does an excellent job. We’ve noticed the little touches, simple design details like woven hanging lights, earthy fabrics, natural textures that give each home warmth and individuality.
Once you start to notice their design language, you begin to see how it’s thoughtfully carried through across the different homes.
Susan: One thing you notice right away is that many of the homes are surrounded by beautiful trees or nature, so you don’t see many other homes close by. I hadn’t really thought about that initially, but it’s because most of the properties aren’t located in typical neighbourhoods.
Bob: When it comes to location, there’s a common trade-off when people are looking to buy into a Premium Collection. Most want three key things: A spacious, well-designed home (ideally with a pool), a stunning view and proximity to a town or walkable amenities.
The reality is, it’s almost impossible to get all three in one property. You can find a beautiful, spacious home in a walkable town centre, but then you’ll likely compromise on views. Or, you can find a home with amazing views and privacy, but you’ll need to drive to get into town.
The Premium Collection, and our one in particular, tends to prioritise larger properties with beautiful views, often in more private or remote settings. The exception is the Mallorca townhouse, which offers more walkability.
This set up worked for us. While we loved the idea of being able to walk into town, we ultimately valued having more space and incredible views. And having to drive a short distance isn’t an issue, we always have a car and are happy to use it when needed.
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Susan: One of the things we really enjoy is the anticipation since you plan your stays about a year in advance, so there’s this excitement as the trip gets closer. It’s like, “It’s almost April, let’s get out of here!” That feeling is always fun.
We’ve also had the chance to bring friends from our area and reconnect with old friends on these trips, which has made the experience even more special.
Bob: I’ll also add to that, I think it’s definitely brought us closer to friends and family. There’s something really special about spending a week or two together in a beautiful place, sharing meals, exploring new places, and just being present with each other. It creates the kind of memories that really stay with you.
We’re currently in our South of France home, and on this particular trip we’re actually traveling with 10 people, the biggest group we've ever hosted. We have Susan’s two sisters, one of their husbands, their son and daughter-in-law, and their three kids: a two-year-old, a five-year-old, and an eight-year-old. It’s a full house, and they’re absolutely loving it, especially that pool out back! It’s been so much fun watching them enjoy it.
I really do think it’s enriched our lives in a meaningful way. There’s nothing quite like spending time abroad, it opens your eyes to new ways of living and thinking.
For us, it’s become a commonplace, how restaurants operate, how to navigate local grocery stores, how tipping works, learning about local history and customs, even the local etiquette and phrases. But when friends or family come to visit with us, they’re often amazed and say things like, “I never knew that!” or “I didn’t realise how different this would be.”
Susan: Although, thank goodness for Google Translate!
Bob: A typical day in our South of France home feels wonderfully relaxed and balanced. There’s a comforting ease in knowing that if we decide to stay in, we’re perfectly content just being here. Our mornings usually follow a simple routine, we wake up, have coffee, read the news electronically, and spend some quiet time on our computers. It’s a peaceful way to start the day.
After that, we usually get up and plan an outing, perhaps visiting a nearby town or event. We like to keep things intentional but not rushed. If we go out for lunch, we prefer to have dinner at home, and if we stay in all day, we’ll go out for dinner instead. It keeps the rhythm of eating in and out balanced and enjoyable.
We also follow a “two out of three” philosophy, when it comes to traveling, we don’t go out more than two days in a row, and every third day is a rest day to recharge. Today, for example, we’re staying home, soaking up the sun by the pool, and just enjoying the comfort of our space.
That comfort is key. Our home is large and well-designed for both togetherness and privacy. Right now, we’re up on the third floor, hearing the kids playing downstairs on the bottom floor. It’s great to be together but also to have space to retreat when needed. That balance makes traveling and being here truly enjoyable.
Bob: The booking system has improved significantly over the past couple of years. I usually handle the bookings for us, so I’ve seen the changes firsthand. Compared to where it was even just a year or two ago, it’s a completely upgraded experience. The interface has been redesigned, it’s more user-friendly, and the overall system is far more stable. I remember some frustrating moments in the past, but that’s all behind us now. The new platform is much more reliable.
They’ve also done a great job integrating useful tools into the system. You can now access home guides and other important information right from the booking interface, which makes the planning process smoother.
That said, booking still requires some strategy. You’re competing with other members for popular weeks, so flexibility is key. We always go in with backup plans, maybe we’d like to go in May, but we’ll also check June just in case. And if we’re trying to string together multiple weeks, we prioritise the most important location or dates and build around that based on availability.
You should also understand that you are unlikely to use all of your points. Accept the wonderful fact that you probably have more points to travel with than time available, what a terrific problem to have!
For families with kids who can only travel during school breaks, it might be more competitive, so you really need to be ready to book quickly. But overall, the process works well if you plan ahead and stay flexible.
Susan: We’ve had good success with our typical approach, we usually aim for two four-week blocks each year, one in late spring and one in the fall. This year, for example, we had two weeks in the Cotswolds, then spent a week in Provence with family, and now we're enjoying two more weeks here in the South of France. That flexibility has allowed us to piece together a five-week stretch, mixing home stays and local travel.
Bob: One of the great things about the August Collections is that it serves as a perfect launch pad to explore nearby regions. We often use our stays to anchor a trip, and then branch out to visit other towns and cities nearby.
Bob: First, I think the most important thing is understanding what kind of traveler you are. I often say there are two extremes. On one end, you’ve got the “check-the-box” travelers, people who want to see as many countries as possible. I have a friend like that. He’ll fly into a city, spend two hours walking around, grab a bite, and fly out. And that’s fine if that’s what you enjoy.
On the other end of the spectrum is fully owning a second home, going to the same place every year, building deep roots, and creating lasting memories in one spot. That works for a lot of people too.
But for us, we wanted something in between, a way to explore the world more meaningfully, without the pressure of always “doing” or “seeing.” That’s what this ownership model gives us: variety, depth, and comfort.
Second thing is, try to look at this as not a cost but an investment. You’re essentially part of an LLC with a limited number of owners, for us, it’s 21 and we own five specific homes. A lot of people think it's like a point-based system where you can trade into anything, but that’s not how it works.
I look at it as part of my overall portfolio and it makes a lot of sense. Sure, I could invest the same capital in the stock market and potentially see greater financial returns, but it wouldn’t deliver the same lifestyle value. We’re staying in homes that could easily rent for €8,000 to €12,000 a week, yet we’re enjoying that experience for the cost of an annual maintenance fee, that’s great value.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you can afford and what kind of travel experience you want. If you can swing it, I’d say go for the Premium Collection, the quality and space make a big difference. If you’re looking to dip your toe in, Signature can be a great starting point! But if you’re anything like us, you’ll be looking to upgrade pretty quickly.
One last thing, be prepared to explain how this works...a lot. Friends and family will be curious, and often confused. You’ll find yourself walking people through it over and over, and at the end, they always say the same thing: “How did you even find this?” Just smile and say, "we're lucky we did!"
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