What's the difference between home swap, house swap and home exchange?

Exchange or swap all relate to the same concept.  Home swap is a regional expression used mostly in the and parts of Europe and Australia.  Home Exchange is more commonly used in the rest of the world..  In France and Quebec Canada echange de maison is commonly used, translating into house exchange or exchange of house.   

What is the length of a typical exchange?
Whatever works for you. Global offers weekend  exchanges, short term swaps from 1 to 3 weeks and longer stay swaps of several months to a year or more.  

Why would someone want to come to my house or area?

Over the many years that we have worked with home exchangers, we have come to appreciate that one can not predict why someone would want an exchange to a particular area. We have had members from remote areas find exchanges from people who loved fishing and hunting.  We also have had members in Hawaii that exchanged homes with exchange partners that didn't even go to the beach and yes even members from a warm climate that just wanted to experience living for a week or two in snow.   Many Global members are open to traveling to new places, so don't let your area be a limitation to you finding a home swap.

If your home is in an out of the way area or not tourist oriented, we encourage you to send out heaps of inquiries, and put a bit of effort into explaining about your home, neighborhood and area. As Global is network of several home exchange clubs, we suggest you take advantage of the worldwide membership offered  and send out lots of inquiries to support your listing.  

Who can answer my listing?  

Any Global member plus members of our worldwide partner clubs who register with Global.  Our multi home exchange club members may also register their home on our partner clubs.

Do I need to have extra insurance?

Check that your homeowner's insurance will be valid while your exchange partners live in your home. Make it very clear to your agent that they are your non-paying guests. Most insurance companies will recognize that your home is at lower risk from burglary when it is occupied, but your insurance cover may be invalid if you omit to notify the company before your exchange holiday.  We understand that most insurance covers exchange partners as invited guests in your home and offers coverage as such..

Besides saving money, what are some other benefits from swapping homes?
Many travelers join Global thinking the biggest benefit will be the money they save. This is most certainly realized with savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars on hotels, vehicles and meals.  After swapping homes most will say that the greatest benefits are experiencing an area like a local, not a tourist and having the comfort of being in a multi room home rather than a cramped hotel room.  Families with children love the spaciousness of an exchange house.

May I exchange my rental apartment or rental house?
Yes.  We suggest you contact the owner of the apartment or house you are renting to get any permissions necessary.  

Do I have to swap my car as well?
Swapping cars is entirely up to you. From our own personal experience in swapping cars as part of an exchange we recommend you and your house swap partner sign a car exchange agreement.

Can I exchange pets?
Some members are quite happy to look after pets for their partners, but don't feel an obligation to offer these services if you are worried about the responsibility. Likewise, don't burden your guests unless you are sure they are happy with the arrangement. In all likelihood your partners will use your home as a base while making daily, and often overnight sightseeing trips, and may not want to be tied down with pet care. Communicate everything at these initial stages of making arrangements. Each member listing notes whether there are pets in the house, whether pets are welcome as part of the exchange and whether pet care is required.  We have two small dogs.  We have taken them on exchanges with us as part of our exchange agreement, left them with friends or in a kennel when our exchange partner didn't want them in their home and have looked after our exchange partners cats while staying in their home.

Who is responsible for cleaning the house?
It really is a personal choice.   Sometimes our members arrange for their home to be cleaned by a service, other times you clean the house before you leave.  

A good rule is to leave the house exactly as you found it, and to take care of the home as you expect your partner to take care of yours.