The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Lodging will all the time be one in every of your greatest journey bills…however what if it wasn’t? What if you happen to might scale back the price of your lodging to zero whereas nonetheless having fun with the comforts of dwelling?

That’s what home swaps promise.

Home swaps have been round for many years. It was all the premise of the film The Vacation (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They turned 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 method of saving cash whereas they journey whereas nonetheless getting an area expertise (however with out the trouble of an Airbnb).

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

The largest and hottest platform for swaps is HomeExchange.

And, on this publish, I’ll go over all the things you’ll want to know to get began with a home swap and allow you to determine 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 really began as a mail-ordered printed listing earlier than shifting on-line. Immediately, there are over 200,000 members in over 155 international locations. It’s the most important and hottest home swap platform.

At the moment, it prices $220 USD per 12 months 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 photographs and detailed descriptions of your own home), confirm your identification, and pay the payment.

When you do this, you’re prepared to begin searching for trade alternatives.

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

If you discover a dwelling you’re concerned with, all you’ll want to do is attain out by way of HomeExchange’s safe messaging system, categorical your curiosity, and get the dialog rolling.

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

Traditional Trade
The Traditional Trade might be what you consider once you consider a house trade: you keep in somebody’s dwelling, and in trade, they keep in yours. This may be on the similar 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 dwelling and so they’re not concerned with 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 enroll and also you earn extra by internet hosting members at your own home.

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

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

Is HomeExchange Protected?

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

Moreover, you must pay a $500 USD deposit once you guide a house. That implies that if you happen to by chance break one thing within the dwelling you might be renting, the house owner can use that deposit to get better the price. 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 dwelling description, they may supply 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 if you happen to can’t discover a substitute.

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

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

What I Favored About HomeExchange

For me, the principle draw for utilizing HomeExchange is that it allows you to stay like an area. It’s like a combination 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 capable of get all types of insider suggestions and recommendation that you just wouldn’t in any other case, and I believe that’s important for getting off the overwhelmed path and deepening your travels.

One other nice perk is their personal Fb group. It’s one other superior strategy to join with fellow vacationers and get journey suggestions and recommendation that you just gained’t discover elsewhere. I’m an enormous fan of journey Fb teams as you may actually get a ton of nice suggestions and data from them.

Additionally, if you happen to don’t discover a swap in your first 12 months, HomeExchange waives the payment for the second 12 months. That’s a pleasant bonus and one thing that I believe new members who don’t journey a ton will actually recognize.

Plus, I additionally love that properties can be found in 155 completely different international locations and there are over 200,000 members so that you do get numerous choices. There’s 24/7 buyer help and they’ll allow 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!

Incessantly Requested Questions About Residence Trade

Can I do a house trade if I lease (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 you’ll want to checklist your pets and their wants in your profile. You probably have pets that shall be staying at dwelling, you’ll want to element their wants and talk clearly with the member who could also be staying there. Should you stay with pets however they’re touring with you, you’ll nonetheless need to checklist their presence in case of allergic reactions. If you wish to journey someplace and keep in one other member’s dwelling along with your pet, once more you’ll want to be clear about this when arranging a possible trade.

Can I host individuals in my spare room as an trade?
Sure. Simply you’ll want to point out that that is the scenario in your itemizing by choosing “personal room” quite 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 is no such thing as a site-wide minimal variety of nights, although you will discover that many hosts do set their very own minimums (usually 3-7 days). Should you’re touring for an trade although, you’ll seemingly discover you’ll need to keep not less than that lengthy!

HomeExchange is a good platform for individuals who need the perks and comforts of a non-public dwelling in an area neighborhood however on a funds. Moreover, it is a nice strategy to join with a household. I believe sharing a house creates a way of intimacy and also you would possibly make some mates out of it. It’s like grownup Couchsurfing and I made numerous mates once I used that.

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

Click here to learn more and sign up today!