The Home Exchange Program:
Never Pay for Travel Accommodations Again! (see contest details, below)
– By Mary Beth Horvath
There’s no place like home; home away from home; home is where the heart is;
seems like home to me; my home is your home; anywhere I hang my hat is home;
home sweet home; all the comforts of home. Often spoken adages, and all so familiar…
Imagine taking a vacation anywhere in the world and it does not have to cost any more than staying at home – well, except for the travel costs and perhaps a bit of spending money!
Interestingly enough, the above adages can be the motto for the many home exchange / swapping type programs available to consumers today. This unique and seemingly popular method of cost-effective vacationing has captured the interest of countless travellers.
This approach, of switching homes for either leisure or taking a break from one’s daily life, played a ‘starring role’ in the romantic comedy “The Holiday”, with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.
Cameron’s character accesses a home exchange website and impulsively swaps her Los Angeles mansion for Kate’s cottage in Surrey. Two strangers who find their ‘home away from home’ in each other’s home!
Though there are countless home exchange programs listed on the internet, some of the most popular ones are HomeExchange.com, IVHE.com (Luxury Vacation Home Exchange), digsville.com, intervac-homeexchange.com, homebase-hols.com (Home Base Holidays).
In 1992, Ed Kushins, a former marketing director for an airline and entrepreneur of numerous start-up companies, created HomeExchange.com with the belief that such a program was a comfortable alternative to high priced hotels and typical tourist vacations, and to rather experience an area as a local – not a tourist.
“Over the past twenty years, HomeExchange.com has grown into a leading brand in the industry, with 40,000 listing in 137 countries on 5 continents, and we anticipate a growth to 50,000 by December of this year. And trust factor has been the key to that growth”, says Keghan Hurst, Director of PR and Marketing. She added that their membership database includes people from 140 countries, and about 2500 members in Canada – from British Columbia to Ontario.
Keghan added that the great advantages of being a member is that they can do their own spot checking. “HomeExchange.com gives members such a unique way to experience travel. One of the top reasons is that members love the cost effectiveness of the program and the opportunity to enjoy the culture as a local resident” she continues. “Members find home exchanging a great way to travel with children, and weekend jaunts are the fastest growing use of home exchange vacations.”
Its ‘role’ in the movie increased HomeExchange.com’s already existing public awareness by leaps and bounds. Listings expanded rapidly and it piqued the interests of many who watched the movie. Movies certainly can inspire new ideas and adventures – just think of ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, ‘Roman Holiday’, ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Two for the Road’, and ‘Shirley Valentine.’
For the HomeExchange.com group for example, membership includes:
- Exchange Guarantee: Make an exchange in your first year of listing your property, or your second year is free
(Most other agencies will also provide this same offer)
- Toll free customer service number
- Easy to read and informative listings
- 40,000+ Listings - Your listing will have exposure to MANY more potential exchange partners
- Email contact directly to you from your listing - 24/7
- Your contact information and email address are always kept private
- Free, unlimited photos of your home
- Update your listing whenever you want - 24/7
- View 200 new and updated listings from member area
- Get email notifications of new listings from where you want to go
Do your homework
A home exchange/swapping program opens the door to many destinations and questions as well.
As with any new project, do your homework.
Experience:
Your first step is to find a reputable and established agency that best suits your wants and needs. There are agencies that will offer member-only services, ‘open systems’ which allow non-members to search listings but not contact members of that agency, hospitality exchanges, which means members stay with you as your guests and in turn you would stay with them as their guests, niche markets as Rotarian swaps, luxury homes and even for singles only.
Find out how long the agency has been in operation and if they have a local presence. Check out some home exchange blogs for tips, information, Q & A’s and insight from some experienced home exchangers. Simply type ‘home exchange blogs’ in the search engine and join in the conversation.
When surfing the net, phrase your search with such words as home exchange, house swapping, vacation home exchanges. In many cases these agencies also provide whole websites translated into other languages.
Support:
Once you have found agencies to your liking, consider the following:
1. The number of listings available in the countries you wish to visit, and even in your country
2. Is the website easy to navigate?
3. Does the agency offer a toll free number should you require additional information?
4. Does the agency provide a toll free number for members only?
5. Are the listings current?
6. Does the agency act as a liaison, or is simply listing services?
7. Does the membership fee work well with your budget?
Insurance:
Another item for consideration with such a program, is insurance. Since visitors are considered guests and there is no exchange of funds during a home exchange, the homeowners’ policies should remain in force. In some cases vehicle options can be included with an exchange. Be sure to speak with your insurance company before committing to any exchange program which includes use of vehicle.
Trust is key
The main premise of any home exchange/swap program is ‘trust’ – plain and simple: Trust that what you see on a listing is what you will get. Many of the agencies have prospered because of trust, their reputation which is member acknowledged therefore translating into verbal affirmation and referrals.
Most agencies will state that their typical memberships are like-minded people, like accomplished professionals of all ages, retired people, and travel lovers. A strong common denominator is an established respect for another’s property.
Keep in mind that a few significant factors like clear communication, careful research, honesty, sharing of property details and familiarizing yourself with the location you will be visiting, will ensure a positive exchange experience.
Countless advantages:
There are a number of advantages to this type of vacationing. Members can experience the panorama of countless destinations eliminating the costs and hassles of hotels; discover what the lay of the land is truly comprised of rather than the commercialized tourist hot spots; engage in the community as a neighbour, not an outsider; the possibility of negotiating the use of the exchange family’s vehicle (avoiding rental car fees); the home-away-from-home convenience and ambience with having use of a kitchen, laundry facilities, computer, books, backyard, cooking… just like home.
Home exchange also can provide a safety aspect in that exchange families can alert each other to issues that arise in the home (e.g. leaks, appliances not working properly) as well as act as a deterrent to burglars. And if the leash fits, perhaps exchange families may be willing to act as surrogate parents for each other’s pooch or furry feline.
It certainly appears that camaraderie evolves from these memberships as personal connections and long-lasting friendships.
To consider – the flip side:
Though it is said that negative experiences are rare with home exchange, to everything that is good there is always a flipside, even if only minimal.
The enormity of property listings can overwhelm so patience will be a virtue as you find a suitable exchange that will accommodate your travel time, amenities, and location, but the more you exchange growing from a novice to an aficionado exchanger will be apparent.
Though false advertisement of properties are said to be rare, know it can be a possibility.
The ‘hard exchange’: Simply put, homes located in popular destinations will be easier exchanges than perhaps homes located in more remote areas.
Now we all know the unexpected can always be expected. Should medical emergencies, sudden deaths, of the exchanging family occur at the time of travel, be prepared. Inquire with the agency you plan to enrol with as a member, if they have representatives based in the country you are visiting to assist in securing another home as expeditiously as possible for your arrival should anything arise which could alter your original plans.
And as for overcoming that icky feeling of strangers in your home? Apparently a spoonful of sugar or a glass of wine from the country you are visiting will make it go away. Remember that after all – you know where they live, so it’s not as if total strangers are coming to stay at your home.
Handy tips:
Check websites on a regular basis for new listings. Make contact immediately with members before the properties are taken.
Once you find a suitable exchange family, exchange more detailed information about your home asking for and offering references.
Clean your home before you exchange, leaving adequate space in closets for your exchange family.
Leave a binder with useful information on using your appliances and little things about your home you feel they should know. Also leave useful contact numbers (ie: doctor, dentist, taxis) and suggestions as restaurants, theatres, recreation, public transportation timetables. If needed, hire a cleaner as differences in cleaning practices are said to be at the top of the list for dissatisfaction with exchangers.
Designate a local support person (a neighbour or friend, or nearby family member) to assist visiting exchange family with any issues.
Wash all the dirty dishes, make the beds and leave the home clean and tidy.
So if home exchange is for you, perhaps the most arduous task you will encounter is where to stay… whether a quaint cottage in France, a contemporary condo in the heart of New York, a houseboat in Seattle, a rustic retreat in Italy, or a historic colonial home in New England. Where ever you decide – let the exchange begin!
Silver and Gold magazine caters to Canadian Boomers and Seniors, in print, online and in person.