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Traveling can get expensive. Traveling with kids, even more. But there are ways to travel at a lower cost without saying no to comfort. House swapping is one of those amazing “hack” to travel to beautiful homes across the globe in a budget. I’ve been using the Home Exchange platform for a few years now, so here is our Home Exchange review.
Now you may already be wondering “is Home Exchange worth it?”
My short answer is 100% YES! It’s a way to travel on at lower cost but still staying in wonderful homes. Plus, it’s a great way to slow travel and get to know other travel passionates. While it’s not always ideal for short getaway, it’s still possible!
But first, what is a house exchange?
What is a house exchange (or home swap)?
A house exchange is exactly as it sounds like.
You exchange your house for another house for your vacation.
Home exchange, home swap, swapping homes, home swapper. Those are all similar terms to talk about a house exchange. It exists maybe different platforms for home swapping, but today we’ll share about Home Exchange.
A house exchange is an affordable method of traveling, especially if you are traveling long term or pursue slow travel. It is also a great option for families as it makes vacations more cost effective by removing one of the largest trip expenses.
It’s possible to do short-term exchanges (for example for a long weekend), or longer-term exchange (for example for an entire season).
When swapping homes, there is no exchange of money. This is not like a vacation rental service where you pay per day. With a home exchange, you either
- You swap your house for another house at the same time. It’s called a reciprocal exchange and/or a simultanious exchange.
- You exchange points for a home stay OR you receive points to host someone. It’s called a Guest Point exchange
- You swap your house for another house at different times (but with the same family). It’s called a non-simultanious exchange
What is HomeExchange?
HomeExchange is a platform that facilitates secured house exchanges. There are other house exchange companies, but HomeExchange is one of the most trusted providers. The company has been running for 20 years. And it’s the house swapping platform we’ve been using for years.
A house exchange will not limit your travel options and will help you save money (a lot of money while traveling across the globe). With any membership, you can do an unlimited number of exchanges.
HomeExchange lists more than 450 000 beautiful homes in over 450 countries so there will always be somewhere that you can visit. If you have not read HomeExchange reviews, this article will help you. We’ll explain why using this platform could be the right choice for you and your family.
Home Exchange: How does it work?
HomeExchange is a membership platform. You can sign up and list your house for free, but you’ll need to pay a membership fee in order to exchange your property.
The annual membership fee is $175USD which includes unlimited home swaps. Even if you only complete one swap a year, the savings you will make on your trip accommodation will more than pay for your membership. For example, during our first year, we were able to stay for 9 days in the Canadian Rockies, making our daily housing cost at less than $20.
Your home will be visible to others once you have completed 80% of your profile. You only need to pay your membership when you finalize your first swap. Membership will start on the day of your purchase and end 12 months later.
Pro-Tip: Register to HomeExchange and complete your listing. Then, you can start reaching out to people to find the perfect house swapping. Wait until you are ready the finalized your first exchange to pay your annual membership. It will allow you to extend your membership and maybe do a few extra swap throughout the year.
Once you have completed your listing, your home will be assigned a guest point rating. This is the number of points that you will receive each night that someone stays in your home. You then use these guest points to ‘buy’ stays in other peoples homes either at the same time or on another occasion. This point system ensures a fair swap system.
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It’s important to note that it may take a few weeks before you find your perfect home swap.
After each stay both parties complete HomeExchange reviews.
What types of exchanges are offered through the HomeExchange platform?
The most common types of exchanges are reciprocal swaps when you stay in someone’s home and they stay in yours.
HomeExchange also offers non reciprocal exchanges.
For example, you may want to swap with someone who does not want to swap with you. In this situation, you can ‘pay’ for your swap with the points you have previously amassed.
In addition, you may not wish to swap with the person who has contacted you. You can earn extra points for your future trips by allowing the person to stay in your house whilst you are away camping or staying with family. You can go anywhere you want, when you want but you can ‘earn’ whilst you are away.
Here is an example, last summer, we did multiple exchanges:
- We did a non simultaneous exchange with a family in Idaho. They visited a week after we stayed at their place
- We hosted 2 other families on a Guest Point exchange
- With the Guest Points we received from the 2 families, we stayed in Lake Tahoe and in Glacier National Park
How to register to Home Exchange
Visit HomeExchange to sign up. Complete your profile in as much detail as you can and list your home. You can find more information here on how to sign up and create your profile.
Once you have listed your home, make sure that both your profile and home are verified as some members prefer to only exchange with verified profiles.
There is also the Home Exchange app you can download on your phone to manage your account, search for homes and finalize exchanges.
What are Guest Points and how to get them?
The guest point rating for your property is calculated using fixed parameters:
- the size of your house
- the number of beds and bathrooms
- the amenities
Then, you also receive additional points for the location of your home. If you own or rent a property in a popular, expensive location, you will amass more points than properties in less visited destinations.
Each time you finalize an exchange, you earn guest points. Points do not expire as long as you are a member. Be aware of this if you do not plan to renew your membership and you have points left to use.
If you choose to renew your membership, you will get a 10% loyalty discount on the following year plus another 250 guest points. HomeExchange is so confident that you will find your perfect vacation in your first year that they offer a second year for free if you do not swap in the first year.
When you initially join HomeExchange – and successfully complete your profile and listing – you automatically receive Welcome Guest Points. These points usually equate to an 8 – 10 night vacation.
You get a further 100 guest points when you verify your home’s listing.
Each exchange you make will collect or spend points.
Furthermore, if you refer a friend who registers and lists their home through your link, you will receive 250 extra points. HomeExchange allows ten referrals during a one year membership. That’s a lot of extra points to put towards future vacations!
Now that we explained to you what a house exchange was and how the Home Exchange platform
HomeExchange Reviews: The Advantages & Disadvantages of Home Exchange
Like most home swapping platforms, there are advantages and disadvantages of using Home Exchange. Let’s see the pros and cons.
What are the advantages of using the HomeExchange platform?
You may wonder what are the advantages of using HomeExchange over more traditional short term rental platforms?
There are many advantages, but here are a few.
1. Home Exchange is much cheaper than a rental.
The most obvious answer is that a home exchange is much cheaper than a rental. It is a great option for families (including larger families) who might not be able to afford a vacation because of high rental costs.
You can also swap with properties that best suit your needs and your family. If you have young children and exchange with another young family, the property will already be set up for kids with toys, games and child equipment such as stair gates and highchairs. You will not have to rent them at your destination or squeeze them into your luggage or trunk.
2. Home Exchange gives you the opportunity to travel to less affordable destinations
One fantastic benefit of using HomeExchange is that you have the opportunity to stay in places that you cannot afford to visit by renting or by staying in a hotel. Home exchanges are available in expensive locations such as London or Paris.
An additional benefit is that you may end up visiting locations that you would not ordinarily have visited if it wasn’t for the amazing house listing you saw. You will also stay in a residential neighborhood rather than a characterless hotel or surrounded by other short term rentals.
A home exchange platform can be used for short and long trips. You will not be stung with an admin fee or a hefty cleaning fee.
3. You don’t need to be the owner of the house to do Home Exchange
It is also possible to do home exchanges if you are renting which is not possible on short term rental platforms.
It’s important to discuss with your landlord about your home swapping project before listing your rental and hosting guests. But it’s a possibility if your landlord is open to it.
4. You may be able to do HomeExchange even if you’re not allowed to do short-term rental
Note: Regulations vary from cities to cities, so do your due diligence and ask prior to enrolling to HomeExchange.
If the unit board does not permit short term rental, it will usually permit an exchange as it is someone staying in your home, rather than subletting it. It is often the same for your house and home insurance. You will need to check your lease agreement and with your landlord and insurance company.
5. Home Exchange provides you with a great support team
Your house exchange is supported by HomeExchange member services before, during and after your trip. Plus, your property is protected should any item be damaged by your guests.
6. You won’t just be joining a home swap platform, but a worldwide travel community.
It is important to bear in mind that, unlike short term rentals that are out to make a quick buck, you will be swapping with like minded families who love to travel in the same way you do. Essentially, you are joining a travel community.
All HomeExchange members with finalized exchanges are covered in case the exchange falls through. The company guarantees to find you another exchange or you will receive financial compensation.
What are the disadvantages of using a home exchange platform over more traditional short term rental platforms?
As a guest and a host, you won’t have an ‘on the ground’ concierge or rental management to approach if a problem arises. However, you can contact member services 24/7. But it’s important to keep an open and easy communication between hosts and guests in case of a problem.
Then, it is a lot of effort to organize a swap especially for a short trip. It can take a few weeks to find the perfect home swap and many inquiries. But, if you are someone who likes trip planning, this is not a problem.
Finally, preparing your own house for your guests requires considerable effort. However, the financial savings you can make are a great incentive.
Home Exchange Tips to prepare your travel adventures
Plan ahead
Plan your trips and start looking for your exchanges well in advance of your trip. Be prepared to be flexible in your travel dates and you will have more success finding an exchange.
Put your house on the platform before visiting family or going camping. Make your house work for you whilst you are not in it.
Prepare your house for your listing
Just like a vacation rental, your house needs preparation in order to attract the right exchange. Before taking your photos, declutter, tidy up and put a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
Take your listing photos on a sunny day; make your house look bright and welcoming. Uploading photos is easy on the HomeExchange app.
Be accurate and honest when completing your house details. Think about what you want in a house exchange and make your own listing reflect this.
Make your home feel personal and highlight its unique aspects.
Showcase your local area and how your home fits into it with transport links and local playgrounds, attractions and restaurants.
Get ready for your home exchange
Always read HomeExchange reviews from other guests that have stayed in the home you wish to swap with. HomeExchange reviews will either reinforce the information listed or contradict it.
Make sure you read through the comments reviews, rather than just looking at the start system.
Keep all messages on the HomeExchange platform to protect you and your property.
Don’t feel pressured into accepting an exchange. HomeExchange allows you to say no to swap requests as many times as you like.
Final Thoughts – Home Exchange Reviews
We’ve personally have been using Home Exchange since 2020. And we LOVE it. We’ve mostly done guest points exchanges as guests and as hosts, but have also done one simultaneous swap.
We love the flexibility that Home Exchange offers, compared to other platform. We’d love to do a reciprocal, simultaneous exchanges, but it’s not always possible, but we are happy Guest Points are an option.
For far, we’ve visited many places with Home Exchange including: Banff, Canmore, Nelson, Fernie, Ottawa, Lake Tahoe, Glacier National Park. Now, we are hoping to go abroad.
Do you think Home Exchange is worth it?
I hope you enjoyed our Home Exchange review and feel free to message me on Instagram with any additional questions.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.