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Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses… but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce your housing costs to zero while enjoying the comforts of home?

That’s what home swaps promise.

Home swapping has been going on for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb.

But with travel prices skyrocketing post-Covid, more and more people are turning to home swapping as a way to save money while traveling while still getting the local experience (but without the hassle of Airbnb).

Home swaps are just what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They live in your place and you live in theirs.

is the largest and most popular platform for swaps Home Exchange.

And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with home swapping and help you decide if homeexchange is right for you.

What is HomeExchange?

Founded in 1992, HomeExchange is a network that facilitates the exchange of homes with another person or family. The company actually started as a mail-order printed directory before going online. Today, there are over 200,000 members in over 155 countries. It is the largest and most popular house swap platform.

Currently, unlimited swaps cost $220 USD per year.

It is also easy to use. All you have to do is create a free account, fill out your profile (including plenty of photos and detailed descriptions of your home), verify your identity, and pay a fee.

Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start looking for exchange opportunities.

You can find home exchange opportunities by simply browsing the website (there’s a handy map function so you can see where the opportunities are) or by narrowing your search using the website’s filters. You can filter by number of bedrooms, if it’s pet-friendly, accessibility and amenities (such as a swimming pool).

When you find a home you’re interested in, all you need to do is reach out through HomeExchange’s secure messaging system, express your interest, and get the conversation going.

There are two types of exchanges: HomeExchange called “The Classic Exchange” and “Exchange with GuestPoints”.

Classic Exchange
When you think of a home exchange, what you think of is the classic exchange: you live in someone’s home, and in turn, they live in yours. These can be at the same time or at different times, but the main point is that they are reciprocal.

But what if you want to stay at someone’s house and they aren’t interested in coming over to yours? That’s where GuestPoints (GP) come in.

What are Guestpoints?
GuestPoints (GP) is HomeExchange’s points system. 500 when you sign up and you earn more by hosting members at your home.

If you want to live in a place that doesn’t want to do a classic exchange, you can give them a GP to live in their home. They can then use those points to stay at someone else’s home.

The number of points required per stay varies, but is usually between 100-320 GP per night. That means you can try out the platform right away with your bonus welcome points!

Is home exchange safe?

Living in a stranger’s home can feel strange. I understood. But using HomeExchange is very safe. As with sites like Airbnb, users have to verify their identity and submit proof of address and create a profile, so you can see photos of where you’re staying before you go.

Additionally, you must pay a $500 USD deposit when you book the home. That means if you accidentally break something in the house you’re renting, the landlord can use that deposit to cover the costs. HomeExchange also includes up to $1,000,000 USD in damage coverage, which means you really don’t have to worry about your home being damaged.

Additionally, HomeExchange has a compliance guarantee which states that if the accommodation does not meet the initial home description, they will offer an alternative solution.

On top of that, if your swap is canceled at the last minute, HomeExchange will reimburse up to $840 USD/week if you don’t get a replacement.

But perhaps most importantly, every guest on HomeExchange is also a host. It imbues the system with mutual respect and trust. How members treat the homes is how they treat their own homes, which ensures that the community remains respectful and considerate.

So, in short, it is a secure platform that you can use with confidence. They also have 24/7 support if you have questions or face any problem or emergency.

What I like about HomeExchange

For me, the main draw to use Home Exchange It lets you live like a local. It’s like a mix between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Homeowners can share their favorite things to see and do, give you personalized suggestions on where to eat, and more. You’re able to get all kinds of insider tips and advice that you wouldn’t otherwise, and I think that’s important for getting off the beaten path and deepening your journey.

Another great benefit is their private Facebook group. This is another great way to connect with fellow travelers and get travel tips and advice that you won’t find anywhere else. I’m a big fan of travel Facebook groups because you can really get a lot of great tips and information from them.

Plus, if you don’t get a swap in your first year, HomeExchange waives the fee for the second year. It’s a nice bonus and one I think new members who don’t travel a ton will really appreciate.

Plus, I also like that there are homes available in 155 different countries and there are over 200,000 members so you get a lot of options. There’s 24/7 customer support and if your swap gets cancelled, they’ll help you financially so you’re not stuck in a new city!

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Exchange

Can I do a home exchange if I rent (not own) my place?
Yes! You just need to check the guest policy in your rental agreement/lease. When in doubt, let your landlord know so there are no surprises.

Can I do a home exchange if I have pets?
Yes! Just be sure to list your pets and their needs in your profile. If you have pets that will be staying in the home, be sure to detail their needs and communicate clearly with the resident member. If you live with pets but they’re traveling with you, you’ll still want to list their presence in case of allergies. If you want to travel somewhere and stay with your pet in another member’s home, you again need to be clear about this when arranging a possible exchange.

Can I host people in my spare room as an exchange?
Yes. Just be sure to indicate this is the situation in your listing by selecting “Private Room” instead of “Entire Unit”. Also, communicate clearly when arranging the exchange so everyone knows what they’re signing up for!

Is there a minimum number required for an exchange?
There is no site-wide minimum number of nights, although you will find that many hosts set their own minimum (usually 3-7 days). If you’re traveling for exchange, you might want to stay at least that long!

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Home Exchange A great platform for those who want the benefits and comfort of a private home in a local neighborhood but on a budget. Additionally, it is a great way to bond with family. I think sharing a house creates a sense of intimacy and you can make some friends out of it. It’s like adult couchsurfing and I made a lot of friends when I used it.

It’s a great platform that can help you have more unique, affordable travels while also connecting you with interesting locals who can share their tips and insider advice.

Click here to learn more and sign up today!