Has anyone had a bad Home Exchange Experience?

Why - are you getting paid to write a magazine article on the experiences?

No, I just have never tried a Home Exchange, and I'm a bit nervous.

And WHY were you so rude??????
It was a legitimate question.

I have to agree that it kind of sounded like a prompting for research for an article. There was no question if anyone had a good experience, so it seemed like it the article was just looking for a certain spin.

That said, are you looking at doing an international house trade, or just one stateside? Are you trying to do this independently or through an agency? Ask a lot of questions up front and set boundaries and guidelines. A friend of mine had her car totaled when the visiting family's nanny took her car out for a late night club hopping evening with friends and had a little too much to drink. My friend had stipulated that they didn't want the car used, but had left the keys in case of an emergency.

I've read lots of success stories, which sound wonderful, but have never
heard any horror stories, so I was just
wondering..........I'm thinking of trying it, either in the States or Europe, and I'm a bit nervous.....I
do have good website addresses of
Home Exchange agencies.

I don't think any magazine would accept an article based on research done on an anonymous forum! Would it matter whether the OP made the stories up, or the posters? Nobody will publish a story based on "A friend of someone who posted online said . . . "

Can't help with the original question, our one exchange was a success.