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Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS HOME EXCHANGE?
Home Exchange is the vacation alternative where you stay in my house and I stay in yours.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It’s as easy as 1-2-3
1. Click on a country or state where you want to go.
2. Click on an interesting Listing
3. Send a privacy protected email to that Listing directly from the site
Of course, with your own Listing posted, you will be getting inquiries from around the world.
IS IT SAFE?
In 14 years and tens of thousands of exchanges,we’ve never had a report of a theft, malicious vandalism, or a case of someone getting to their exchange home and finding a vacant lot.
Don't be worried about "Having a Stranger in Your House" . Think of home exchange as Internet Dating for your home. Before you would actually go on a date with someone you met on the internet, you would exchange some emails, talk on the phone a few times, and swap recent photos. By the time you agreed to meet, it wouldn't be with a "stranger". You wouldn't go on a date if you didn't feel a connection, and the same goes for a home exchange.
Good Communication Minimizes Misplaced Expectations. Ask questions about the home and area, make sure you see photos.
Ask for referrals about prior exchanges.
Agree on the ground rules for your exchange, Sample Agreements are provided as guidelines http://www.homeexchange.com/gb_appendix.php#confirmation
WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT VALUABLES?
It is prudent to put away really valuable items and jewelry, but usually just leave things where they are.
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE AND LIABILITY?
Check with your own insurance company, but for the most part we understand that most insurance covers exchange partners as invited guests in your home or “permitted” drivers and offers coverage as such.
WHAT ABOUT CARS?
About half our Members exchange cars, but it is entirely up to you.
WHAT ABOUT PETS?
The Listings clearly note whether there are pets in the house and whether pet care is requested or required.
DO YOU HAVE TO EXCHANGE AT THE SAME TIME?
Usually.
But a lot of people exchange their second homes, which allows a lot more flexibility. We even have a Search Function that displays only second homes.
And even with primary homes the exchange may be non-simultaneous. For example, you might stay at my house when I am away someplace else, and we would agree that I could stay at your home at some later time.
WHO WOULD WANT TO COME TO MY HOUSE?
Of course if you have a beach front home in Hawaii or a penthouse with a view in New York, or San Francisco, you’re going to get a lot of exchange inquiries.
But we have found that by their very nature, people who are HomeExchange Members are well traveled and are often interested in seeing new places, and experiencing an area as a local.
A potential home exchange partner may wish to be near a loved one or family member, or perhaps need to come to your area for business reasons. So your "average" home may be just the ticket for someone wanting to exchange with you.
If you are a little off the beaten track, you may have to send out more inquiries, and put a little more effort into marketing your home, neighborhood and area. But if you do so, you might be surprised, although we won’t be:
- 37965 has made over 10 successful exchanges with his home in Amherst, Nova Scotia.
- 12541 has made 10+ successful exchanges with his home in Modesto, California
- 14459 has made over 10 successful exchanges with their home in Lancaster, PA.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
$99.95 for a one year unlimited Membership makes it the best travel value on the web
Unlimited means you can make as many exchanges as you want and there is no other charges, no per-day charges or per-exchange charges, either to your exchange partner or to us.
HomeExchange means free accommodations.
HOW MUCH CAN I SAVE?
Literally thousands of dollars on a typical exchange.
One night at a modest hotel is easily $250.00 - One room service meal can be $50.00. Imagine the savings on 2 weeks on a home exchange instead of a hotel!
But people who often think that saving money is the biggest benefit of HomeExchange find that what they really like is the comfort of staying in a home rather than an impersonal hotel, and experiencing an area as a local, not a tourist.
IS IT ONE-TO-ONE OR ARE YOU IN A POOL?
Most exchanges are one-to-one, a direct exchange between two Members. That adds a certain degree of trust between the parties.
WHO CLEANS THE HOUSE?
Sometimes Members arrange for cleaning, other times you clean the house before you leave.
The general 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.
CAN I DO AN EXCHANGE WITHIN MY COUNTRY?
Yes, HomeExchange.com can assist you in finding both national, international exchanges and vacation rentals.
HOW LONG IS A TYPICAL EXCHANGE?
Whatever works between the Members, but exchanges within country are normally 1-2 weeks, international exchanges are normally 1-3 weeks.
Local exchanges for long weekends are the fastest growing use of home exchange.
WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?
HomeExchange.com does not post your name, street address or email address in your listing, or make them available over the World Wide Web. Our advanced home exchange system hides your personal contact information yet makes it possible for a visitor and potential home exchange partner to contact you directly from your listing at HomeExchange.com - 24/7.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF A HOME EXCHANGE, ASIDE FROM SAVING MONEY?
Many Members join thinking the biggest benefit will be the money they save, and that expectation is certainly realized, with savings of thousands of dollars on hotels, cars and meals not unusual. But afterwards, most will say that the greatest benefits are the experience of experiencing an area like a local, not a tourist and having the comfort of being in a home rather than a cramped hotel room.
MAY I EXCHANGE MY APARTMENT?
Normally, yes. However, we suggest you contact the owner of your apartment and get any permissions necessary.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE WEBSITE?
Over Listings Worldwide
Easy Navigation
“My Saved Listings” and “1-Click Contact”
“Notify Me” when new Listings come in from places I want to go
Unlimited Photos (no extra charge)
Advanced Search Function
Quick Response Customer Service (email AND phone)
Translation Feature on each Detailed Listing
Network of Sites:
On-line access to Member Control Panel 24/7 to edit Listing, add photos, use features
Privacy Protected
Guarantee
WHAT'S THE GUARANTEE?
We feel so confidant we can assist you to find a home exchange partner that if you do not find a partner within the first year of listing your property we will give you a second year for free. No questions asked.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOME EXCHANGE AND A HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE?
Home exchangers trade their homes, condominiums or apartments at a time that is convenient to both parties, but these are not the only types of accommodations that one gets to choose from. For example, one exchanger traded his home for a 40-foot yacht. Another couple swapped their villa in Italy for a RV in Oregon because they had always wanted to tour the USA in true nomadic style. Often, home exchangers will include their automobiles as part of the package.
Hospitality exchangers, on the other hand, host each other in their homes at designated times. Your home exchange partners stay with you as guests and then you go and stay with them as their guests. There is a social aspect to this kind of exchange that some exchangers particularly enjoy. Conceivably, you also get a built-in tour guide with this mode of exchange. |
