Its a bit of a fantasy swap your home with a stranger for a vacation in a desired location.
They stay at your house and you at theirs, and theres no money exchanged.
And hey, maybe youll meet your true love in your dream destination, likein the movies.
House swapping not your thing, but you still want to save on travel? Here’sour guideto alternative travel.
Plus yousave moneyon lodging and maybe even a car rental.
Home exchange or house swapping networks have taken a lot of the risk out of these transactions.
Heres a look at how house swapping works.
What is House Swapping?
The concept is simple: Trade your house to stay in someone elses home.
From that point, there are multiple ways you’ve got the option to do a home exchange.
Your host may allow you to use their car, or ask that you care for their animals.
Maybe you get to stretch out on a two week vacation, or youve got a long weekend.
Theres a lot of flexibility in house swapping.
And benefits, too.
House Swapping: Common Terminology
Its helpful to know these terms used in home swaps.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Balance Transfer = Credit Card Cheat Code
Mutual or simultaneous exchange:When members directly swap houses.
Non-synchronous or non-reciprocal exchange:When people dont directly swap homes.
How Do I Get My Home Ready?
The first step of house swapping is an honest self evaluation.
Will you be comfortable having strangers in your home without you there?
Would you trust someone to take care of your home, pets, plants, property and privacy?
It helps knowing that they have to equally trust you.
If you are including your vehicles in the swap, check your auto insurance policies too.
Condo and apartment dwellers should check to see if there are any restrictions as well.
As a host, it is important that your house is clean, but does everything work?
That list should include appliances, heating/cooling, windows, doors, television, wifi, etc.
The website Home Exchange has anexcellent checklistfor preparing your home.
Youll also want to put your homes best foot forward by taking lots of good pictures.
Its helpful to have friends look at them and pick which ones are best.
Upload the information to the website and you are ready to discover new places for your next vacation.
Ready to House Swap?
Consider These Home Exchange Websites
There are several home exchange websites you’re free to choose from.
Each has an annual membership fee, though some start with free trials.
When you sign up for a home exchange internet, you create a listing for yourself and your home.
List the number of guest rooms and general information about the property.
Then create a document with tips about local things to do and resources.
ensure you include information so guests can access wifi, cable, etc.
Heres a look at several home exchange organizations, so you will know which one is right for you.
You list your home to participate.
There is a free 21-day trial.
After that, the membership fee is $115 a year or $190 for two years.
Home Exchange
Home Exchange says it has 100,000 homes in 133 countries.
They also use guest points, which makes a non-synchronous house exchange possible.
Guest points are earned by hosting, so you do need to list home to participate.
Members have unlimited exchanges and can list multiple homes.
There is a free 30-day trial.
Heres agood checklistfrom them about getting your house ready for a swap.
Love Home Swap
Love Home Swap facilitates classic home exchanges, and also uses a point system.
There is a free 14-day trial and membership costs $156-180 a year.
Home Sweet Home
Based in the United Kingdom, Home Sweet Home lists properties across the world.
Its a very simple, low-key website.
It costs about $62 (50) to join.
(Plus, it uses globes as their point system, which is kind of charming.)
The annual membership fee is $95.
Switchome
Switchome is a free home swapping site, operating mainly in Europe.
Third Home
Third Home is a luxury home exchange website, with listings for vacation homes around the world.
Third Home reports that the average home value is $2.4 million.
The annual fee is $295, and stays cost between $495 and $1,395.
Aussie House Swap
Aussie House Swap states it is the largest home exchange community in Australia.
Its website features a page ofinspirations,helping connect users with properties near attractions they could be interested in.
For instance, heresa look at propertiesfoodies and winos may enjoy.
There are 6-, 12-, and 24-month membership plans, ranging from $54 to $120.
The Pros and Cons of House Swapping
House swapping has its pros and cons.
Heres a look at a few of them.
There is no set length; each trip is based on availability.
Most companies do not put a limit on the number of exchanges you might do.
Well, it is called home exchange.
There are a lot ofalternative ways to travel, too.
The Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke writes on lifestyle and culture topics.
It sounds appealing right?
Check it out here!
