Very interesting information. I am bookmarking for future reference. Hope you don't mind.

Good Question, TEntek. If you are using the Intervac site, there are often references on the the exchangers' listing page. You can write to one of the references listed.

You can ask Homelink if they have any evaluations that will assuage your apprehensions.Also, if you are registered on Homelink, they have a discussion link on their website. You can post the question there. Perhaps, someone will have some more ideas,

You can arrange to arrive a day early, before the exchange, meet your exchangers, get a tour of their home and exchange keys. Probably the best idea yet.

We just returned from a week exchange to Palm Desert and we met our exchangers at their home, took a tour and exchanged keys.

You can ask the prospective exchanger directly for a reference.

You can send them a letter/postcard and see if they receive it and then thank you.

In 1996 before e-mail, we exchanged all our information by telephone calls and snail mail. When we arrived in The Netherlands, outside the small town where we would be staying, we took a taxi from the train station. The taxi driver looked at the address and told us that the street/neighborhood did not exist. Funny, but neither of us freaked out and a few moments later, he located the street and drove us to the house.

Let us know how you decide to handle it.

annetti, thank you for being so patient and so generous with your time and advice. I see that I have already asked you about the keys before, in early December of 2011. We have committed to the family from Amsterdam.

Some of my co-workers were expressing concern over showing up in a foreign city and not finding the place/being duped so I was channeling some of their concerns. I actually feel very confident about our prospective exchangers, due to the emails we have been exchanging.

We are going to Paris too on the same trip, but not doing a home exchange, just renting a place.

It is so great to hear about your experience.

Funnily enough, just a few days before the very first time I did a home exchange, and people I knew were asking about the possibility of frauds, there was a thriller on TV which turned on just that scenario! In that story, the dodgy/frightening visitor turned out to be the wife's lover, and it had all been a put-up job to get the valuables and property deeds out of her husband's grasp: and when you think about it, setting up an exchange with a stranger would be a pretty convoluted way to set about a burglary. Most criminals are actually not that bright or industrious.

There is of course the possibility that a property isn't really as described or is in a dodgier area than you've been led to believe, but nowadays Google Street View can be your friend.

On that particular occasion, I went on to do a good dozen repeat exchanges with that particular person, and I've never had a bad experience with any exchange partner. But you do need to take your time to build up trust and understanding with the other party, and make sure you have explicit agreements about the things you need to be sure about.

Patrick: I've always thought it would be wonderful to do a repeat exchange with the same person. Doing 12 exchanges with the same people is almost like having a second home. And you know the people are responsible and there's less apprehension. Wonderful that you have been able to do this. We've had the opportunity twice (only twice!!) to do repeat exchanges, but it has not worked out on our end. Always had something else planned when the offer was made.

I agree that you need to be specific about your needs and what you require. Don't expect people to read your mind. If you don't want someone to use something in your home, be upfront, but tell them before the exchange takes place so they will not be disappointed that they did not have the option to decline. Glad to read about another satisfied exchanger. When it works out, it really beats a hotel any day of the week.

>>Doing 12 exchanges with the same people is almost like having a second home. <<

Yes, it was. Then he got a job in Strasbourg and sold his flat in Paris. Oh, how inconsiderate.

So, go to Strasbourg -- a wonderful place, too. :)

Agree, not Paris, but def. worth seeing. Stop off in Nancy on the way.

Well, happy to report that we are enjoying our very first home exchange. The house we are staying in has far exceeded our expectations. It is beautiful and spacious and very clean.

annetti and everyone, thanks for your help in helping me navigate this process.

Can't wait to hear more about it! Are they in your home at the same time?

Tenek: Glad to find you are enjoying your first exchange; it is wonderful to have a place to stretch out in. So much nicer than even the nicest hotel room. And there's a special delight shopping in the local stores, and you can be so leisurely in doing your touring. I'm sure they left you lots of information re their favorite haunts. Have a good time and if you have time - post a log as you go along on your exchange.

The home exchange partners are very experienced. They have a folder full of information, in alphabetical order, on everything from restaurants to how to feed their cat. We did not put together a folder but we left hand-written notes at home on post-it notes.

Yes, DebitNM, tehy are in our home right now, so I guess I should wait to get back to see if the exchange is totally successful. I am not expecting this couple of 50-somethings to throw a wild party in my residential neighborhood, so I am not too worried.

annetti, we are spoiled now. My 5 year old son said today that he never wants to stay in hotels any more. And this is from the kid who LOVES hotels (pool, view, relaxed rules from parents to keep him quiet).

I will post a more detailed trip report when we get back. signing off... Love, Tentek.

Have a wonderful time and thanks for keeping us up to date.

OK, and we are back. We spent 3 wonderful days in Vancouver, BC, in Shaughnessy neighborhood. The house we stayed at was fabulous. I am guessing it is worth something in the neighborhood of $2.5 mln, that's right 2.5 mln dollars.

Vancouver has definitely cast its spell over us. The weather was cooperating, sunny, no rain.

Did I misunderstand - thought the home exchange was in Amsterdam? Was it in Vancouver ?

Oops, sorry DebitNM. We did a trial run closer to home for a 3 day Easter weekend. We are still planning a home exchange in Amsterdam but in the summer. This was just 2.5 hours drive. We were a bit nervous about our first exchange so we thought we rehearse with someone nearby.

Yes, I thought Amsterdam too., but isn't Vancouver great! We did a five week exchange in 2008 and fell in love with the city. So many great places to visit, good food, and friendly people. BTW, I love these short exchanges. We have done a number of them for a week where we can drive to our home exchangers' homes. So much easier than hassling with a plane, worrying about getting everything packed and adhering to a tight schedule. Hope all was well when you returned. If you have time to post, do. I love to hear about other people's experiences in HE. Glad you made it through your first one successfully!!

annetti and all, our Home exchange experience has been very positive. We did another short 3 day home exchange with a different couple from Vancouver over the Memorial Day weekend. It was so much fun. This time we were in Kitsilano, which is a lovely neighborhood with a great beach and lots of restaurants. Our main exchange is coming up soon, this summer, to Amsterdam. We are beyond excited.

Both places were stayed at in vancouver were very nice and clean. I have no reservations about HE as a concept. I agree that individual listings will vary, but we feel like we've been hitting it out of the park so far. Thanks for your help!

Tentek: Very happy to hear another exchange went well. We loved Kitsilano. Strolling the streets there was so much fun and so many restaurants to choose from, too. Thinking, maybe another visit to Vancouver might be a nice idea.

Post about your trip to Amsterdam. We had a wonderful exchange to The Netherlands yrs ago. Get yourself a museum pass, that is, if you enjoy museums (and Amsterdam's museums are fabulous; you'll need photos), but after the first two visits, the pass pays for itself. It's good for a year. An incredible bargain. I hope the pass still exists. You can buy it at the first museum you visit. Have a good time.

Just a quick update: we had a very successful home exchange in Amsterdam. Many thanks to Annette and all other contributors for answering my questions. Our travel philosophy was deeply impacted by this exchange. I am providing further details in my trip report in the Europe forum. I am just very grateful for the information and encouragement I received.