The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Lodging will at all times be one in every of your largest journey bills…however what if it wasn’t? What should you may scale back the price of your lodging to zero whereas nonetheless having fun with the comforts of residence?

That’s what home swaps promise.

Home swaps have been round for many years. It was your entire premise of the film The Vacation (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They grew to become all the craze however then have been quickly eclipsed by websites like Airbnb.

However as journey costs skyrocketed post-COVID, an increasing number of folks have turned again to accommodate swaps as a method of saving cash whereas they journey whereas nonetheless getting a neighborhood expertise (however with out the effort of an Airbnb).

Home swaps are precisely what they sound like. You enroll, listing your private home, after which swap with another person in one other metropolis. They keep in your home and also you keep of their place.

The most important and hottest platform for swaps is HomeExchange.

And, on this submit, I’ll go over all the things it is advisable know to get began with a home swap and enable you to resolve if HomeExchange is best for you.

What’s HomeExchange?

Based in 1992, HomeExchange is a community that facilitates swapping properties with one other particular person or household. The corporate truly began as a mail-ordered printed listing earlier than shifting on-line. At this time, there are over 200,000 members in over 155 nations. It’s the largest and hottest home swap platform.

At present, it prices $220 USD per 12 months for limitless swaps.

It’s simple to make use of too. You simply must make a free account, fill in your profile (together with loads of pictures and detailed descriptions of your private home), confirm your id, and pay the price.

When you try this, you’re prepared to start out on the lookout for trade alternatives.

You will discover residence trade alternatives by merely searching the web site (there’s a helpful map operate so you possibly can see the place alternatives are) or narrowing your search through the use of the web site’s filters. You may filter by the variety of bedrooms, if it’s pet pleasant, accessibility, and facilities (like swimming swimming pools).

If you discover a residence you’re fascinated by, all it is advisable do is attain out by way of HomeExchange’s safe messaging system, specific your curiosity, and get the dialog rolling.

There are two sorts of exchanges: what HomeExchange calls “The Traditional Alternate” and an “Alternate with GuestPoints”.

Traditional Alternate
The Traditional Alternate might be what you consider if you consider a house trade: you keep in somebody’s residence, and in trade, they keep in yours. This may be on the identical time or at totally different occasions, however the principle level is that it’s reciprocal.

However what if you wish to keep in somebody’s residence they usually’re not fascinated by coming to yours? That’s the place GuestPoints (GP) are available in.

What are GuestPoints?
GuestPoints (GP) are HomeExchange’s level system. You’ll get 500 if you enroll and also you earn extra by internet hosting members at your private home.

If you wish to keep someplace that doesn’t wish to do a traditional trade, you may give them GP to remain of their residence. They will then use these factors to remain in another person’s residence.

The variety of factors required varies per keep, however it’s usually between 100-320 GP per evening. Meaning together with your bonus welcome factors you’ll be capable of give the platform a attempt immediately!

Is HomeExchange Protected?

Staying in a stranger’s home can really feel odd. I get it. However utilizing HomeExchange may be very secure. Very like websites like Airbnb, customers must confirm their id and submit proof of handle and create a profile, so you possibly can see pictures of the place you might be staying earlier than you go.

Moreover, it’s important to pay a $500 USD deposit if you e book a house. That signifies that should you by chance break one thing within the residence you might be renting, the house owner can use that deposit to get well the associated fee. HomeExchange additionally consists of harm protection as much as $1,000,000 USD, which implies you actually don’t want to fret about harm to your own home.

Moreover, HomeExchange has a Compliance Assure that states that if the lodging doesn’t meet the preliminary residence description, they’ll provide an alternate resolution.

On high of that, in case your swap cancels final minute, HomeExchange will present compensation of as much as $840 USD/week should you can not discover a substitute.

However maybe most significantly, each visitor on HomeExchange can be a number. That imbues the system with mutual respect and belief. Members deal with properties how they need their very own residence to be handled, which ensures that the group stays respectful and thoughtful.

So, in brief, it’s a secure platform that you should utilize with confidence. In addition they have 24/7 help in case you have got questions or run into an issue or emergency.

What I Appreciated About HomeExchange

For me, the principle draw for utilizing HomeExchange is that it enables you to stay like a neighborhood. It’s like a combination between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Owners can share their favourite issues to see and do, offer you customized solutions on the place to eat, and a lot extra. You’re capable of get all types of insider ideas and recommendation that you simply wouldn’t in any other case, and I feel that’s very important for getting off the overwhelmed path and deepening your travels.

One other nice perk is their non-public Fb group. It’s one other superior solution to join with fellow vacationers and get journey ideas and recommendation that you simply gained’t discover elsewhere. I’m a giant fan of journey Fb teams as you possibly can actually get a ton of nice ideas and data from them.

Additionally, should you don’t discover a swap in your first 12 months, HomeExchange waives the price for the second 12 months. That’s a pleasant bonus and one thing that I feel new members who don’t journey a ton will actually admire.

Plus, I additionally love that properties can be found in 155 totally different nations and there are over 200,000 members so that you do get a whole lot of choices. There’s 24/7 buyer help and they’re going to enable you to out financially in case your swap cancels so that you aren’t left within the lurch and caught in a brand new metropolis!

Steadily Requested Questions About Residence Alternate

Can I do a house trade if I lease (not personal) my place?
Sure! You simply must confirm the visitor coverage in your rental settlement/lease. When doubtful, let your landlord know so there aren’t any surprises.

Can I do a house trade if I’ve pets?
Sure! Simply remember to listing your pets and their wants in your profile. If in case you have pets that can be staying at residence, remember to element their wants and talk clearly with the member who could also be staying there. When you stay with pets however they’re touring with you, you’ll nonetheless wish to listing their presence in case of allergy symptoms. If you wish to journey someplace and keep in one other member’s residence together with your pet, once more it is advisable be clear about this when arranging a possible trade.

Can I host folks in my spare room as an trade?
Sure. Simply remember to point out that that is the state of affairs in your itemizing by deciding on “non-public room” relatively than “entire unit.” Additionally, talk clearly when arranging the trade so everybody is aware of what they’re signing up for!

Is there a minimal variety of nights required for an trade?
There isn’t a site-wide minimal variety of nights, although you can see that many hosts do set their very own minimums (usually 3-7 days). When you’re touring for an trade although, you’ll seemingly discover you’ll wish to keep a minimum of that lengthy!

HomeExchange is a good platform for individuals who need the perks and comforts of a personal residence in a neighborhood neighborhood however on a finances. Moreover, it is a nice solution to join with a household. I feel sharing a house creates a way of intimacy and also you would possibly make some pals out of it. It’s like grownup Couchsurfing and I made a whole lot of pals after I used that.

It’s a cool platform that may assist you have got extra distinctive, reasonably priced travels whereas additionally connecting you to fascinating locals who can share their ideas and insider recommendation.

Click here to learn more and sign up today!