The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Lodging will all the time be one among your largest journey bills…however what if it wasn’t? What should you might 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 complete premise of the film The Vacation (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They grew to become all the craze however then had been quickly eclipsed by websites like Airbnb.

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

Home swaps are precisely what they sound like. You join, record your property, after which swap with another person in one other metropolis. They keep in your house and also you keep of their place.

The largest and hottest platform for swaps is HomeExchange.

And, on this publish, I’ll go over every little thing you could know to get began with a home swap and enable you resolve if HomeExchange is best for you.

What’s HomeExchange?

Based in 1992, HomeExchange is a community that facilitates swapping properties with one other individual or household. The corporate really began as a mail-ordered printed listing earlier than transferring on-line. Immediately, there are over 200,000 members in over 155 nations. It’s the most important and hottest home swap platform.

At the moment, it prices $220 USD per yr for limitless swaps.

It’s straightforward to make use of too. You simply need to make a free account, fill in your profile (together with loads of pictures and detailed descriptions of your property), confirm your identification, and pay the price.

When you try this, you’re prepared to begin in search of trade alternatives.

Yow will discover residence trade alternatives by merely searching the web site (there’s a useful map perform so you’ll be able to 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).

While you discover a residence you’re focused on, all you could do is attain out through HomeExchange’s safe messaging system, categorical your curiosity, and get the dialog rolling.

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

Traditional Change
The Traditional Change might be what you consider once 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 completely different occasions, however the principle level is that it’s reciprocal.

However what if you wish to keep in somebody’s residence and so they’re not focused on 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 once you join and also you earn extra by internet hosting members at your property.

If you wish to keep someplace that doesn’t need to do a traditional trade, you may give them GP to remain of their residence. They’ll 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. Which means along with your bonus welcome factors you’ll be capable of give the platform a attempt straight away!

Is HomeExchange Protected?

Staying in a stranger’s home can really feel odd. I get it. However utilizing HomeExchange may be very protected. Very like websites like Airbnb, customers need to confirm their identification and submit proof of deal with and create a profile, so you’ll be able to see pictures of the place you’re staying earlier than you go.

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

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

On prime of that, in case your swap cancels final minute, HomeExchange will present compensation of as much as $840 USD/week should you can’t 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 neighborhood stays respectful and thoughtful.

So, in brief, it’s a protected platform that you need to use with confidence. Additionally they have 24/7 assist in case you’ve gotten questions or run into an issue or emergency.

What I Appreciated About HomeExchange

For me, the principle draw for utilizing HomeExchange is that it allows you to dwell like a neighborhood. It’s like a mixture between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Householders can share their favourite issues to see and do, offer you customized ideas on the place to eat, and a lot extra. You’re in a position to get every kind of insider suggestions and recommendation that you simply wouldn’t in any other case, and I believe 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 strategy to join with fellow vacationers and get journey suggestions and recommendation that you simply received’t discover elsewhere. I’m a giant fan of journey Fb teams as you’ll be able to actually get a ton of nice suggestions and information from them.

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

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

Continuously Requested Questions About Dwelling Change

Can I do a house trade if I hire (not personal) my place?
Sure! You simply have to 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 be sure you record your pets and their wants in your profile. You probably have pets that will likely be staying at residence, be sure you element their wants and talk clearly with the member who could also be staying there. In case you dwell with pets however they’re touring with you, you’ll nonetheless need to record their presence in case of allergic reactions. If you wish to journey someplace and keep in one other member’s residence along with your pet, once more you could be clear about this when arranging a possible trade.

Can I host individuals in my spare room as an trade?
Sure. Simply be sure you point out that that is the state of affairs in your itemizing by deciding on “non-public room” slightly 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 find that many hosts do set their very own minimums (usually 3-7 days). In case you’re touring for an trade although, you’ll doubtless discover you’ll need to keep a minimum of that lengthy!

HomeExchange is a good platform for individuals who need the perks and comforts of a non-public residence in a neighborhood neighborhood however on a price range. Moreover, it is a nice strategy to join with a household. I believe sharing a house creates a way of intimacy and also you may make some buddies out of it. It’s like grownup Couchsurfing and I made quite a lot of buddies once I used that.

It’s a cool platform that may assist you’ve gotten extra distinctive, inexpensive travels whereas additionally connecting you to attention-grabbing locals who can share their suggestions and insider recommendation.

Click here to learn more and sign up today!