How International House Swapping Works (Exactly What You NEED to Know)

Are you curious what house swapping? Maybe you have dreamt about living in the south of France for a few months. Or want to visit family in another city for an extended period. There is no need to pay for expensive accommodation. 

You can try house swapping and live rent free! Below we break down who house swapping is for, ways to do it, and exactly where to find other families to swap homes with! 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about international house swapping. 

Who Is House Swapping For? 

There are thousands of house swaps available around the world. House swapping is excellent for anyone who owns a home. If you don’t own a home, I suggest looking at house-sitting. The next sections provide more information.

I also love that there are options for families, couples, singles, and retired folks.

Try House Sitting Instead 

Don’t own a home? Don’t worry. While house swapping may not be for you, you can still try house sitting. There are a handful of legit house sitting sites you can use to find assignments. Just make sure you look for one that offers insurance; this will make everything much easier for you. Another reason house sitting is so great is that you get to experience a location from a local perspective, as well as have animals to care for.

The Three Ways To Do A House Swap 

Yes, there is more than one way to engage in an international house swap. These are the three ways you may arrange an exchange: 

1. Simultaneous exchange:

 You stay in your exchange partner’s home while they stay at yours. 

2. Non-Simultaneous exchange: 

You stay in a home swapper’s second home or vacation home. 

3. Hospitality exchange: 

You stay as a guest in a swapper’s house while they are also there, and you do the same for them. 

Comfort Is Key

House swapping may not be right for everyone. It is important to assess your comfort levels before jumping headfirst into a house swap.

Experts agree that arranging a house swap through a reputable program is safe. However, it is worth considering how you would feel if a stranger were to sleep in your bed. You should also have a discussion with your temporary tenants before the swap. This is to address any possible concerns.

Where To Start

A good place to start your house swap journey is by becoming a member of house-exchange websites. Sites like HomeExchange are a good place to start learning about what they offer.

It is recommended to pick a destination or area you are interested in traveling to first. Then, start browsing the site to see which members live there and if any are interested in coming to your city. Once you have found a potential host, you need to stay in close contact with them as you finalize the swap.

What Exactly is A Home Exchange Site?

This is a website that connects two homeowners through an agreement. They swap homes for a time to experience a new culture without paying for accommodation.

Signing up with a home exchange site offers many advantages, including the ability to try something new, connect with like-minded travelers, and save money.

Below is a list of the best home exchange websites on the market currently:

HomeExchange

HomeExchange is one of the most popular sites for opportunities. It is a French company that has expanded globally. This site operates on a point system, which means you don’t need to reciprocate the exchange at the same time.

This means you can host people at your home when you leave for business or visit family while getting a certain number of points per night.These points can then be used to travel to available homes. Members of HomeExchange claim that swapping out physical currency for points simplifies everything.

Their customer support is always available to help with problems. Whether they arise during, before, or after their stay. HomeExchange has a membership fee of $150 per year.

HomeLink

HomeLink is another great option for people who want to swap homes for their next vacation. It’s also cheaper than other platforms, with a monthly membership fee of around $8.75. However, this is only possible with a 12-month membership.

Members have reported facing a few disadvantages when using this platform. The site is less well-reviewed than the others. It does not offer monthly membership plans and is available in fewer countries.

However, this site can be a good starting point. It is a budget-friendly platform for starting house swapping.

HomeStayin

HomeStayin is another great option. It uses money instead of points, making it a mix of Airbnb and HomeExchange. Signing up is free, but you will need to pay a 15% fee to Homestayin for each successful booking.

International students make up the bulk of HomeStayin’s users, but it can also be used by traveling families.

It’s Not Completely Free

House swapping may be a great way to cut accommodation costs, but it is not always free. While some free home exchange sites exist, the most reputable ones charge a membership fee.

This fee includes listing your home, searching for other homes, and contacting other members. Each company has different pricing structures and membership options.

These start from $39 and can go up to $159 annually. This depends on whether you’re looking for international house swaps or not. Sometimes, swappers may also require you to pay for services. This can be a cleaning fee or negotiating utility bills if you plan to stay longer.

Communicate Your Expectations 

Get to know your exchange partners well to minimize jitters and mitigate any problems. Consider all necessary details that may arise during the process and work through them before the swap.

It is also necessary to communicate what is and is not acceptable in your home and vice versa. Ask many questions and discuss the level of cleanliness each party expects. 

Take Part In The Perks 

Trading cars to save on car-hire fees is common in the house-exchange community. You must check your car insurance policy to ensure guests can drive your car. 

Alternatively, you may swap cars to save money for those needing to rent a vehicle. 

Renters Aren’t Left Out 

House Swapping is not only for homeowners. Renters or property owners, such as condo owners, can participate in home exchange, too. You will need to check with your landlord or read your lease before renting your place to strangers. This is to ensure you’re permitted to do so. 

Start Searching Early 

A first-time home exchange may not be suitable for a last-second getaway. Experts advise starting to communicate with the house swapper as soon as possible. This can be three to six months before the exchange. 

Put Your Investigation Cap On

Different home exchange sites have different screening processes. A common way to research your swap partners is through social media. 

Apps such as Facebook and Instagram can be used to learn about your partner. You can check and ensure that they are reliable and responsible. You can also check references and ask your home exchange company for more information. 

What To Look For In House Exchange Partners 

Good references and a steady conversation are essential. Getting a sense of their personality is key in deciding whether to arrange a house exchange. Red flags can include slow answers to questions or a lack of commitment to an exchange.

It is also worth considering whether the exchange family includes pets or children. Some apartments don’t allow children. This is because they may lead to noise complaints or extra untidiness. Conversely, if your exchange family has pets, you may need to care for them while you are there. This may affect your travel plans. 

But… Is It Safe? 

 Be assured that home swapping is a completely safe way to arrange a stay. Sites like HomeExchange and HomeLink have been around for the past 60 years, and there have been no reported cases of theft or vandalism. 

Mutual trust is at the core of home exchange programs. This is because your partners occupy your home while you stay in theirs. Experts recommend concealing valuables if you’re especially worried about expensive or irreplaceable possessions. You may do this by leaving them in an off-limits room or handing them over to friends or family. 

Bottom Line 

Home Exchange can be an amazing way to start saving up on accommodation costs. You can do this while traveling to all your dream destinations.