HomeExchange.com: Swap Houses, Skip Hotel Bills:
The idea isn't new. Before the Internet, people had to rely on newspaper ads and lots of long-distance phone calls to arrange a home swap. But travelers in search of an authentic experience raved about these arrangements when they worked out well. What better way to see a destination than from a neighborhood off the beaten tourist paths? Best of all, the costs of a hotel room or other rental are all but eliminated. With standard room rates in major cities at more than $300 USD/day for basic rooms, this can be a very attractive alternative. That's the basis upon which HomeExchange.com was started.The Basics:
HomeExchange.com is an online club that you join for a membership fee. That gives you access to a database of house and apartment owners who are willing to explore an exchange of homes. There are no additional per-swap fees. The list of members spans the globe, with more than 20,000 listings in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch and Portuguese. Choose a country (more than 100 included), find a listing of interest, and contact the member.How It's Done:
The membership fees vary, but the basic (Silver) membership is $99.95 USD. Two year memberships are $140. Once you're in, you upload a description and some pictures of your home. Interested visitors will contact you, just as you are looking at other entries. Be sure to be specific about what is and is not available. For example, if you have a car but don't want visitors using it, say so. For arrangements like this, it doesn't pay to be timid.Security Concerns:
In the FAQ section of the Web site, it says they've never had "a report of a theft, malicious vandalism, or a case of someone getting to their exchange home and finding a vacant lot." They compare these swaps to blind dates, advising members to ask for pictures and several direct conversations to see if a connection exists with the other owner. It's even quite proper to ask for referrals about prior exchanges. You do not give specific addresses or contact information in the listing. Members contact one another and reveal as much -- or as little -- as they prefer in the early stages of the discussions.What Makes HomeExchange.com Noteworthy:
Budget travelers frequently choose a "base" from which to explore a number of areas. It's often cheaper to negotiate one low-cost place to stay than it is to find three or four of them. It's also easier to unpack once. With HomeExchange.com, you can base yourself in one place and visit a number of areas. Best of all, there are no rental costs. Many people do hire cleaners to come in at the conclusion of their stays, but some do that work themselves and save even more money.Drawbacks:
Intensely private people won't find this approach too appealing. The same might be true for those who have expensive antiques in their homes. It takes some adjusting to live in another person's home, and some might feel uncomfortable having people in their homes unsupervised. Some swaps are actually mutual "hostings" in which the owner is on the premises. Others involve second (vacation) homes that are not the primary place of residence. Check locations carefully. An address too far from what you want to see and do will create additional time and money expenditures.A Few Competitiors:
Homelink.org claims 13,000 properties in 72 countries. Membership is $110 USD/yr.
SimplyHomeExchange.com is $47/year or $80/two years, but property listings are free as they try to build up their data base.
Contacts:
HomeExchange.com is based in Hermosa Beach, Calif. Contact information:
HomeExchange.Com, P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310.798.3864 Toll free: 800.877.8723 Fax: 310.798.3865.
