What is a home exchange, and what makes a home exchange successful? Learn how a home swap can save you money and give you a whole new perspective on travel. I’ve traded homes in six countries and think the advantages of a home exchange are just too good to pass up.
My Introduction to Home Exchanges
Since I boarded my first flight as a freshman in high school, I’ve been an enthusiastic traveler. Pick any reasonably safe destination in the world, and I’ll almost certainly want to visit. Apart from a few dicey episodes in South America, my first decade of globetrotting was fairly conventional, though. Then I discovered something that radically altered my entire perspective on travel— the home exchange.
I was a fairly new educator then, with summers off and a lot of free time. But not a lot of disposable income. A colleague suggested I consider a home exchange. It’s just like it sounds— you live in someone else’s home while they live in yours. I soon discovered there are multiple websites where prospective exchangers across the globe advertise their homes and availability. Each site has a modest membership fee, and I joined three of them. (More on that in a moment…)
After a few weeks, I received an offer from a couple in Amsterdam— an author and a college professor. They wanted to come to Arizona for two weeks in late July while I stayed in their 17th-century canal house. After confirming they were familiar with Arizona weather— few people want to be in Arizona in July! — I agreed. It was the best travel decision I ever made.
The Basics of a Home Exchange
Home exchanges can be domestic or international and last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Mine were all 1-3 weeks. Offers include apartments, duplexes, modest single-family houses, luxury villas, and even log cabins. I was surprised to find thousands of options in nearly every corner of the globe.
I’ve done six international exchanges to date. Five of them were simultaneous, meaning we were in each other’s homes at the same time. One trip was non-simultaneous— I stayed in the couple’s vacation home in Costa Rica in December. They stayed in my home the following October while I was away visiting family.
Initial Jitters
I’m a fairly cautious person by nature, especially online, and at the start I had frequent doubts. Is it wise to let complete strangers stay in my home unsupervised? When I arrive overseas, will the key-toting neighbor be there as promised to let me in? Will my temporary abode look anything like the pictures?
To date I’ve suffered just one broken bowl, for which my guests left a generous $20. And all that worry was unnecessary— I don’t regret a single visit.
Home Exchanges – Mitigating Risks
In fact, the websites do a very good job of mitigating the risks. Members must verify their identities to the site managers. Full names, precise addresses, and phone numbers are not disclosed until an exchange is formally accepted in writing. All listings specify the number of travelers and maximum occupancy. They also include owner-provided photos and descriptions of the home and surrounding area, including a thorough checklist of amenities.
Reviews from past exchanges can help you choose. And you can see how long an exchanger has been a member and the number of exchanges completed.
Each website approaches insurance and cancellations a bit differently, although all of my exchanges went precisely as planned.
Finding the Perfect Home Exchange
Members post their preferred destinations and travel dates to facilitate matches. One popular (and wise) option is to remain “Open to Suggestions”.
Some owners restrict smoking and ban children. Others ask that you care for a family pet or water houseplants. (I once declined an exchange offer because I had no idea how to care for a horse, several sheep, and some chickens!)
Many exchangers offer use of a family vehicle, either with or without the reciprocal use of your car. I don’t loan my SUV to exchangers, though, because my insurance company doesn’t cover foreign drivers. An Irish family nonetheless let me use their sedan during our exchange— and it allowed me to maximize my time there.
Tips for a Successful Home Exchange
Try to remain flexible with your destinations, dates, and length of stay in order to maximize your choices.
Remember that public transportation in Europe, for example, is far more extensive than in the States. So it may be easier, or even preferable, to get around without a car. That means you can stay in a suburb and still see all the sites in your desired big city. And sometimes an idyllic place in the countryside or at the shore is at least as rejuvenating as an urban adventure.
For all but one exchange, I relied exclusively on public transportation and found it to be convenient, reliable, affordable, safe, and even fun. But I specifically sought exchanges where that would be possible. Carefully research— and consult your potential exchange partners about— local transportation to be sure that’s an option for you.
Home Guides are Essential
In my experience, it’s particularly helpful to prepare a home guide for your visitors, and to receive one in return. I created mine in Microsoft Word so it can be easily updated. An electronic copy shared in advance allows your guests to ask any questions they may have. I leave a printed copy in a three-ring binder for easy reference at the house. (It’s a cinch to replace updated pages as needed.)
The guide includes everything a foreign visitor might need. (Although domestic exchanges are common, too.) Telephone dialing instructions, WiFi networks/passwords, and telephone/account numbers for utility providers. The locations of the fuse box and water shut-off valves, too. I also include the names, telephone numbers, and addresses for the nearest urgent care, dentist, bank, gas station, and grocery store. A list of recommended restaurants and attractions is standard, as well.
Leave your grocery discount fob with your exchangers to give them access to sale prices— you’ll get the gas points in return! And be sure to leave instructions for the use of all appliances. Washing machines and dishwashers in particular tend to be confusing. (Remember to leave instructions about the type and amount of detergent to use!)
Communication for a Successful Home Exchange
I communicated extensively by email and/or What’sApp with all of my exchange partners both before and during each trip. But I only met three of them in person— either while picking up or returning keys. For the other exchanges, our respective neighbors happily handed off the keys and introduced us to our new homes and neighborhoods.
I was hesitant to impose on my neighbors at first but discovered they enjoy the interactions. One included my exchange partners in family BBQs. Another neighbor’s kids included my guests’ children in their pickup soccer games. Everyone was more than happy to repeat the favor.
Preparing for a Home Exchange
I typically clear a few drawers and some closet space in the master bedroom for the exchangers to use. And I have dedicated sets of bedding and towels for guest use. Sentimental, delicate, or valuable items are squirreled away before each home exchange.
Of course, you are expected to leave your home spotless and in good repair. I have consistently been impressed with the cleanliness and condition of the places I’ve stayed. And I’ve always returned home to find everything very well cared for.
It’s also customary to leave a small amount of food and drink to welcome your exchange partners. And to leave behind a small thank you gift (flowers, dessert, etc.) when you depart their place.
During the Home Exchange
Stay in touch with your exchange partners throughout the exchange to assist them with questions and any technical issues. You’ll want their advice, too.
Most exchangers happily share their guest WiFi password and allow use of their home office equipment. (You may want to print boarding passes or maps, for example.) I create a guest account on my desktop computer. It allows limited access to software and stored data but full access to the internet.
It’s also helpful to negotiate final expectations regarding bedding, which can take a while to launder and dry. We’ve often agreed just to strip the beds and let each other make them up with fresh linens when we get home. That way we don’t have to spend our final day doing laundry.
Benefits of a Home Exchange
A home exchange spares you the cost of lodging, so you can afford to lengthen your trip. Having a kitchen means you can save on meals, too— shopping in overseas grocery stores is a blast. And because you can do laundry at home, you’re able to pack less. Plus it feels great to unpack and settle in.
If you choose someplace that serves as a convenient hub, you can use day trips to branch out in all directions. Or use the exchange home as a base and intersperse your stay with overnights elsewhere. My nephew and I saw four cities in three countries by train one summer, using a home exchange near Frankfurt as our base.
If you decide to rent a car, your exchange partner may offer a free and safe place to park it, too.
Meet the Neighbors
One of the best parts of a home exchange is the almost guaranteed chance to meet and get to know local residents. Typically, they’ll be your host’s neighbors and friends. You’re never expected or required to meet them, except maybe to pick up and return the house keys. But it’s common practice to offer the name, address, and phone number of someone who knows the local area, customs, and language if you need assistance.
Some of my favorite travel memories revolve around these encounters with local residents. A seaside dinner with a Dutch actor and his producer wife. In Denmark, a summer solstice bonfire with my neighbors’ extended family and friends. And naturally, a pub crawl in Ireland with a friend of my host. In many instances, I’ve gained lifelong friends.
These interactions allow you to truly get to know local life, politics, and customs— and share some of your own culture. It’s also very entertaining to teach each other random phrases in your respective languages.
Home Exchange Websites
There are now several home exchange websites to choose from. When I first started, HomeExchange, HomeLink, and Intervac were the big three. Each one had been around for decades, and I signed on with all of them to maximize my chances of finding a good match.
I never had any luck with Intervac and allowed my membership there to expire after the first couple of years.
My first three exchanges (to The Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden) were through HomeLink, and the next three (to Costa Rica, Ireland, and Germany) were with HomeExchange. I had thoroughly positive experiences with both platforms but eventually decided that one paid membership was sufficient.
I chose and still remain with HomeExchange, which describes itself as “the #1 home exchange community in the world” with 100,000 subscribers. Check out the sites for yourself, consider a trial membership, and if it seems like a good fit for you, give home exchanging a try. It may give you a whole new perspective on travel, too.
