A home exchange for holidays and vacations. You stay at my place while I stay at yours.  

By swapping homes for a holiday or vacation, two families from different parts of the area you live in, from other regions of your country or the world  agree to exchange homes for a vacation. Typically holiday home swaps are arranged for 1 to 4 weeks . There is also the option of exchanging homes for a relaxing weekend getaway to a nearby location. Some travelers use a home exchange as a means of affordable longer term free accommodation.   You can enjoy a vacation anywhere in the world with free home accommodation! 

Kyoto Japan

• no cost for accommodation - no hotel bills or hotel surcharges
• you can live like a local rather than just a tourist; experience a different culture first hand
• enjoy all the space and convenience of staying in a home rather than a room in a hotel
• reassurance that your home is occupied while traveling
• your plants and pets may be cared for by your home exchange partner
• the option of saving on car rental costs by exchanging cars
• home cooked meals when you wish - saves on restaurant meals

Home Exchange types

Simultaneous Home Exchange. The original. You stay in their home while they stay in yours.

Non-Simultaneous Exchange. You stay in their home on one date, later they stay in your home. Typically this is arranged by two members with second homes or members who will be away and their home is open.  If you have a second home, the flexibility can really help with arranging an exchange. 

Hospitality Exchange. Guests come and stay with you as a guest in your home. Later, you visit them as a guest in their home. 

Burlington Ontario Canada

Home Exchange Guide

How to arrange a home exchange

One of the keys to a arranging a vacation home exchange  is in the way you promote your home to other  home exchange travelers. An eye catching  listing should describe not only the home offered as exchange, but also the neighborhood, your community (city/town/region) and nearby attractions and interests, Your listing should also include multiple photos,  

1. List your home.  Be sure to include photos of your home or area you live in.  Give yourself some time to find an exchange.  Many experienced home swappers plan to start seeking an exchange 6 to 9 months before they travel.

Creating the initial "sell" letter 

The first letter you send to potential exchangers should express your tentative interest, pending further correspondence.

Introduce yourselves

Outline the advantages of your home–i.e., its proximity to tourist attractions, shopping, safe and quiet neighborhood, climate.

Provide a detailed description of the interior and exterior of your home, listing features like working fireplace, oriental carpets, antiques, childproofing, barbecue and outside eating area

If offering a car, give the make, year and condition. An automatic makes driving on an unaccustomed side of the road much easier.

Provide references if you are an experienced exchanger.

List your preferred dates and length of exchange. The more flexible you are, the better your chances.

Be honest. Your abode may be humbler than that villa in Tuscany where you’re hoping to go, but if the time and the place are right, your potential exchange partners would probably prefer your home to a hotel.

2. Add photos - Include photos with your listing. You don't need a photo of a sunset or luxury home to entice possible exchangers to answer your listing, but photos go a long way towards attracting a steady stream of home exchange inquiries. Most members will NOT respond to listings without photos so it is to your advantage to add them

3. Actively contact other members.  Besides listing your home, send out heaps of contact emails to others wanting home exchanges.  You are inquiring about the other members' interest in an exchange with you. Be positive and share a bit about your home, your family and community.  You don't need to say too much but definitely don't be negative.
How is an exchange arranged? 

Swaps usually start with an offer emailed to a prospective exchange partner who has been selected from a number of listings resulting from a search. If the member feels an exchange might be possible, they reply to the email and work  out the details. There is no timetable for how long this will take or what must be done.

Trying to find the "perfect exchange match" may reduce your chance of a home swap.  Being flexible on locations, dates and accommodation will increase your chances of a good, successful trade which is all most people want.

When considering home exchange opportunities, most people aren't necessarily seeking a home similar to their own but rather they consider the location.  Is it somewhere they would like to visit?  Are there places of interest easily accessible from the home?  After location, members will check the number of people the home will sleep to decide if it will be suitable and, if they have any special needs, whether these are available in the home.

Each home exchange is unique; a bond of trust must be built as you get to know your home swap partners and their family through e-mails, letters or phone calls.  Most people traveling on an exchange love the idea of no cost accommodation especially because through their communications ahead of time, they find themselves not staying at a strangers home, but at new found friends, and they will be staying in your home.

Have fun planning your trip.