The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Accommodation has always been one of the biggest travel costs…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could eliminate your lodging costs from the comfort of your own home?

That is the promise of a housing exchange.

Home swaps have been around for decades. That was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They were all the rage, but were quickly eclipsed by sites like Airbnb.

But as travel prices have soared since COVID-19, more people are turning back to home exchanges as a way to save money while traveling while getting a local experience (without the hassle of Airbnb). I am.

A home exchange is exactly that. Sign up to list your home and trade with others in different cities. They stay in your place and you stay in theirs.

The biggest and most popular platforms for swaps are: home exchange.

And in this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know to get started and help you decide if HomeExchange is right for you.

What is a home exchange?

Founded in 1992, HomeExchange is a network that makes it easy to exchange homes with other people and families. In fact, the company started as a mail order print directory before moving online. We currently have over 200,000 members in over 155 countries. This is the largest and most popular home exchange platform.

Currently, unlimited swaps cost USD 220 per year.

It’s also easy to use. Just create a free account, fill out your profile (including lots of photos and a detailed description of your home), verify your identity, and pay.

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

You can find home exchange opportunities by simply browsing the website (we have a handy map feature so you can see where the opportunities are) and narrowing down your search using the website’s filters. Masu. You can filter by number of bedrooms, whether pets are allowed, accessibility, and amenities (swimming pools, etc.).

Once you’ve found a home you’re interested in, simply contact us via HomeExchange’s secure messaging system to express your interest and start a conversation.

There are two types of redemptions: what HomeExchange calls “classic redemptions” and “exchanges using guest points.”

classic exchange
When you think of home exchange, you probably think of classic exchange. You stay at someone else’s house, and they stay at yours in return. This can be done at the same time or at different times, but the important thing is that it is interrelated.

But what if you want to stay at someone’s home but they aren’t interested in coming over to your home? That’s where Guest Points (GP) come into play.

What are guest points?
GuestPoints (GP) is HomeExchange’s points system. You get 500 when you sign up, but you can earn even more by hosting members at home.

If you want to stay somewhere where you don’t want to do a traditional exchange, you can give a GP to stay in your home. You can then use those points to stay at someone else’s home.

The number of points required varies from stay to stay, but typically ranges from 100 to 320 GP per night. This means you can try out the platform right away with your bonus welcome points.

Is HomeExchange safe?

It may feel strange to stay in a stranger’s house. Understood. However, using HomeExchange is very safe. Similar to sites like Airbnb, users must create a profile by verifying their identity and providing proof of address, so they can see photos of their stay before they leave.

Additionally, you will be required to pay a deposit of USD 500 when you reserve your home. This means that if you accidentally damage something in the home you’re renting, the homeowner can use the security deposit to recoup the cost. HomeExchange also includes up to $1,000,000 in damage coverage, so you don’t have to worry about damage to your home.

Additionally, HomeExchange has a Compliance Guarantee, which states that if a property does not meet the original home’s description, they will provide an alternative solution.

Additionally, if your swap is canceled at the last minute and a replacement cannot be found, HomeExchange will provide up to $840 in compensation per week.

But perhaps most importantly, every guest on HomeExchange is also a host. This instills mutual respect and trust in the system. Members treat their homes as they would like to be treated. This ensures that the community remains respectful and caring.

In other words, it’s a safe platform that you can use with confidence. We also offer 24/7 support in case you have any questions or experience any issues or emergencies.

What we like about HomeExchange

For me, the main attraction of using home exchange It means you can live like a local. It’s like a mix between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Homeowners can share their favorite things to see and do, and offer personalized suggestions like where to eat. You’ll get all kinds of inside information and advice you won’t get anywhere else. I think it’s essential to getting off the beaten path and deepening your journey.

Another great perk is the private Facebook group. This is another great way to connect with other travelers and get travel tips and advice you won’t find anywhere else. I’m a big fan of travel Facebook groups. You can get a lot of great tips and information from there.

HomeExchange will also waive fees for the second year if no swap is found in the first year. I think this is a great bonus and something new members who don’t travel much will appreciate.

We also love that with homes available in 155 countries and over 200,000 members, we have a lot of choice. We have 24/7 customer support and will support you financially even if your exchange is cancelled, so you won’t be stranded in your new city.

Home Exchange Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do a home exchange if I rent (not own) my home?
yes! Just check the guest policy in your rental agreement/lease. If in doubt, let your landlord know so there are no surprises.

I have a pet, can I exchange homes?
yes! Be sure to include your pet and its needs in your profile. If you have pets, be sure to explain their needs in detail and communicate clearly with members who may be staying there. Even if you live with a pet and also travel with your pet, it’s a good idea to list their presence in case you have any allergies. If you want to travel somewhere with your pet and stay in another member’s home, you will need to be clear about this when arranging a possible exchange.

Can I invite people to my spare room for exchange?
yes. Be sure to indicate this situation in your listing by selecting “private room” rather than “entire unit.” Also, be clear when arranging exchanges so everyone understands who is signing up for what.

Is there a minimum number of nights required for redemption?
Although there is no site-wide minimum length of stay, you will find that many hosts set their own minimum length of stay (usually 3-7 days). However, if you are traveling for exchange purposes, you will want to stay for at least that amount of time.

home exchange is a great platform for those looking for the perks and comforts of a local home on a budget. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with family. I think sharing a home creates a sense of closeness, and you might even make friends from there. It’s like Couchsurfing for adults, and I’ve made a lot of friends while using it.

This is a great platform where you can connect with interesting locals who can share tips and insider advice while helping you travel more uniquely and affordably.

Click here to learn more and sign up today.