Home exchange or house swap is a great vacation alternative for seniors especially in hard economic times like this. Home exchange is fun and most of all, they are free. Home swapping is when you stay in someone else’s house while they stay in yours at the same time or at pre-arranged time depending on both parties’ arrangement. This vacation set up will benefit both families with reduced travel cost since it eliminates hotel accommodation fees and having to eat out all the time. Home swap provides all the comforts of home and luxury of experiencing other world outside of your comfort zone without having to pay an expensive tag.
Direct exchange is done if you and the exchanging party will simultaneously do the home swap meaning they will come to your house while you stay at theirs for the same period of time. The emerging trend today in home exchange is the nonsynchronized swap. Non-synchronized swap is when you go to their home at a pre-arranged time but they won’t necessarily stay at your house. Either they stay at someone else’s house or they stay put while you’re visiting. Second homes can also be exchanged instead of rented out for the holidays. You can also do some house-sitting while the family is away.
Aside from your house, you can opt to put your yacht, cruiser or vacation house up for swap. You can also look for a certain house feature like it’s proximity to the city central or places of interest. It doesn’t have to be an exact house type, just as long as the accommodation impresses both parties like a yacht for a cabin house or a studio type for a house with a pool. House swap is completely flexible when it comes to terms and stays.
Usually, home exchange is done over the internet but you can also directly arrange your own swaps with family and friends. Since internet offers broader audience, you can find millions of swappers all over the world and has then become a popular mode for home exchanges. There are home exchange organizations which offer search directories, guides and tips and also customer support for a fee, usually a membership fee. It is best to browse the site first before signing up with any of them. Plan ahead so you can choose the best exchange home for your trip.
Home exchange is best for seniors since this kind of arrangement is personal and friendly. They can greatly benefit by making new friends across the country and having the much-needed vacation all at the same time. It will also give you the best tips on where to eat and what places to visit as opposed to impersonal atmosphere your usual resort and hotels allow. Home swaps are also suggested for vacationing families and large groups instead of occupying several rooms in a hotel.
Before committing your house to a swap, check the other parties’ location, house area, number of rooms, and access to public transport. Make sure that you express concerns beforehand and set limits and responsibilities to both parties such as house occupancy and usage. Naturally enough, you should leave the house in a clean and good condition like you first found it; this is a form of courtesy to the house owner and a golden rule for home exchange.
The only downside of home exchange is that you cannot demand a refund or room change if you don’t like the place likewise there is no housekeeping to clean up the mess you made so you have to do it on your own. But hey, it’s free so a little compromise won’t hurt right? Think of it this way, if you want them to treat your house right, you should also accord the same respect.
