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wning a vacation home in Europe can seem like an unattainable dream, but real estate group August is making it a reality. By offering a modern twist on co-ownership, the company allows passionate travelers to secure four to five holiday homes across hot destinations at a fraction of the price for one.

    Founded by Mélie Dunod and Nico Watzenig in 2019, August was born out of the idea that owning an entire vacation home is unnecessary when it's only used 35 days per year. The founders also believe there's no need to settle on one destination when you can enjoy multiple homes abroad. Unlike traditional timeshares, August allows participants to own shares in a group of homes and handles all paperwork.

    Before starting August, Dunod and Watzenig ran an interior design business where they saw the struggles of buying a home in another country. They realized that buying property abroad can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the real estate market or language. This experience inspired them to create August, which streamlines the process and makes it accessible to more people.

    August's properties are located in Europe across 10 covetable cities and regions, grouped into collections of four to five homes based on lifestyle and budget. Each group is divided into shares, with homeowners owning one or more shares. This equates to an average of eight to 12 weeks per year across all the homes for each homeowner.

    Potential buyers are vetted by August's team before being given homeownership documents and a letter of intent to review and sign. The company then sets up a real estate company designed for co-ownership, allowing for real title ownership. This means that all five properties will be entirely owned by the homeowners who enjoy 1/21st ownership interest in each property.

    Pricing varies depending on the collection, with the Signature collection costing €435,000 for 1/21st ownership. The annual fee for maintenance is €14,600. Once the real estate company is established, August's local teams buy and renovate homes for the collection, keeping homeowners informed throughout the process.

    Visits can be scheduled through August's online booking platform, which follows a points-based system. Each homeowner is allotted points on an annual basis that don't rollover, making it flexible for long-term planners and spontaneous getaways. August is ideal for travelers who want to buy a second home in Europe but are hesitant about choosing one location and dealing with the burdens of maintaining a home abroad.

    August's unique approach sets it apart from traditional timeshares, which often tie individuals to specific weeks and locations. With August, homeowners can co-own multiple homes through a corporate entity, making it easier to sell shares if needed. The company has seen successful re-sales in just a few short days due to high demand for completed collections.