North Americans and the European Second Home: Why The August Model Removes Every Obstacle in 2026

Buying a vacation home in Europe is a dream for many Americans, but it comes with a list of obstacles people often don’t consider beforehand: distance, an unfamiliar legal system, a language barrier, renovations that have to be managed from another time zone, and the ongoing upkeep that every home needs even from a distance. August’s Private Collection membership takes care of all of it, and adds what the sole ownership of a single property can't: a real share in a Collection of four or five exceptional homes in Europe’s most sought-after destinations. That allows homeowners to experience different versions of authentic European living without the burdens of owning outright.

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In this article:

• What actually makes a European second home harder to buy for an American than for a local.
• How Private Collection membership solves those obstacles – including what a share costs, priced in US dollars from the start.
• What access and community look like for Homeowners living an ocean away.

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What are the obstacles an American faces owning a second home in Europe outright?

Buying property in Europe as an American means navigating a legal system and tax rules that are unfamiliar – different rules for how a purchase happens, different local tax obligations tied to the property itself that typically run 7% to 15% of the purchase price between notary fees, registration and transfer tax. The process is often different from one European country to the next and usually conducted in a language that isn't a buyer's first.

Finding someone trustworthy to actually work with on the ground is its own difficulty: an agent, a lawyer, contractors and someone who genuinely knows the local market. Without that kind of local knowledge, buying a property from miles away can be a considerable challenge.

Renovation adds another layer many buyers don't anticipate. In destinations like Tuscany or the French countryside, historic or protected properties often require heritage authority approval before even minor structural work – a process that can take considerably longer and cost more than standard renovation work, and one that has to be navigated from another country entirely.

And the obstacles don't end once renovation is done – the home then needs ongoing upkeep regardless of how often it's actually used. None of it makes European property ownership impossible for Americans, but it does mean carrying alone every responsibility and cost from another continent.

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How does Private Collection membership solve these obstacles for Americans buying in Europe?

A share in a Private Collection membership gives access to a Collection of four or five homes, across Europe's most sought-after destinations – among them Tuscany, the South of France, Mallorca, the French Alps and the Cotswolds – used as the seasons and the family's plans suggest, rather than a single home that waits between visits. That allows an American Homeowner to experience the authentic local lifestyle in different European regions, not just returning to a single destination for every vacation.
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The Private Collection membership resolves the procedural and ongoing obstacle in owning a second home in Europe. Homes are carefully sourced, often off-market for their distinct character and easy reach of an international airport. Once a Collection is reserved, a real estate company is established to hold its homes. Each Homeowner holds a real share in it. August takes care of the local authorities and legal and tax procedures, plans the renovation and oversees the interiors, which are thoughtfully designed by Studio RL, August's in-house studio, to honour each home's character. A Homeowner doesn’t need to work alone in an unfamiliar system.

And once a member joins, the ongoing upkeep – maintenance, repairs, the day-to-day running of the homes – is fully covered by August’s dedicated homeowner experience team.

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‍What does a share cost in US dollars?

Share prices are quoted in US dollars from the outset, not converted afterwards – ranging from $460,000 for a Pied-à-Terre share up to $2,080,000 for Prime, with Signature, one of August's more popular Collections, starting from $556,000.

Beyond the share, running costs are structured into two annual charges, both clearly explained and confirmed upfront. The Annual Maintenance Charge covers the day-to-day running of the homes, including local taxes, insurance, maintenance and administration. The Sinking Fund provides for their longer-term care. After each stay, Homeowners pay only the direct cost of the end-of-stay clean, linen included, and any utilities used – on average between €150 and €350 for a four-person stay, with a full rate card shared for every home in the Collection.

Sole ownership of a single home, by comparison, means carrying the purchase price and running costs that often arrive unpredictably alone, in a country and a currency that are not your own.

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How do access and community work for American Homeowners an ocean away?

Valeria, August's in-house booking system, is where Homeowners plan their time across a Collection, wherever in the world they log in from. Access is booked up to a year ahead and released in three stages through the year, so favourite dates can be planned early and shared out fairly. Some availability is kept open for short-notice stays, which suits families who decide on a long weekend once the diary allows. Because a share brings access to four or five homes, each stay can follow the season and the occasion. Questions can be raised by call or WhatsApp at a time that suits your time zone.

Distance does not have to mean isolation. Many families, part of the August community, are joining from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and across Europe. Valeria also hosts the private community portal, where Homeowners share recommendations, tips and feedback on their stays. The annual homeowner meetings are held virtually, and how much to take part is entirely a Homeowner's choice – some keep to themselves, while others meet in person when their stays overlap.

The Homeowner stories show how this feels from the other side of the Atlantic. One Homeowner from the United States describes how August makes owning homes in Europe possible while life in America carries on, with visits whenever they choose. Another says a stay feels more like living in a destination than simply visiting it.

August's Private Collection membership is designed so that a home in Europe fits the life a family already has in North America: a home that is ready on arrival, maintenance taken care of, and costs that are clear from the start. To see how it could work for your family, explore the Collections, request a brochure or book a call at a time that suits your time zone.

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FAQ:

Can Americans buy a vacation home in Europe?

Yes – most European countries place no special restrictions on foreign buyers, including Americans. The harder part is usually everything around the purchase itself: an unfamiliar legal system, local paperwork, and managing a home from another time zone once it's bought.

How does a family based in North America own a home in Europe with August?

A family holds a share in a Collection of four or five homes across Europe, held through a real estate company established for that purpose. August manages the purchase, the local authorities and the renovation, and there are no local notaries to visit in different countries. A dedicated homeowner experience team then looks after every home, so the family can arrive and enjoy it.

What does second home ownership in Europe cost with August?

Each Collection is priced per share, with prices quoted in US dollars – from $460,000 for the Pied-à-Terre Collection to $2,080,000 for the Prime Collection, as of August 2026. Running costs are structured into two annual charges, the Annual Maintenance Charge and the Sinking Fund, both confirmed upfront.

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