Does it work? Is it worth it?

Yes. Yes.

How renter ready do you have to get your house? Do you put away all your personal stuff, if that is possible? What service do you recommend?

Remember, while they're in your house, you are in theirs! I didn't put away anything at all. I made room in the closets and emptied out a few bureau drawers, that's it.

I recommend www.homelink.org; others have had success with www.homeexchange.com (note 2 e's in the middle). These are just listing services, they don't do the matching themselves. The listed families contact each other.

Have seriously considered it as a cheaper way to travel. Let us know if you decide to do it and how it went.

Personally I would put away some personal stuff, lock my filing cabinet etc but as said before you are in their house too.

There are several great websites out there with pictures too.

I have considered doing this -- swapping -- as I have the kind of nice little Manhattan apartment somebody travelling would like and it could be fun to trade with somebody in London or someplace like that.

I unquestionably would lock up some stuff. I would put a lock on one closet
and give them the other (small apartment). I'd lock up jewelry and anything I have I wouldn't want to read about in the newspaper. I don't keep personal financial papers at home but if I did I'd remove it or lock it up.

If I had expensive alcohol around I'd lock that up too.

Some of this of course is based on not trusting strangers, but it's also protection of them -- travellers can leave doors unlocked, make mistakes about whom to invite in (though I think I'd ask someone not to bring in new acquaintances), etc. This way they are responsible for less.

We did a home swap with a family in central England for 2 weeks in August in the mid-90's. The thing to keep in mind is that you are not exchanging with just anyone. All winter we corresponded and set boundaries and made agreements about limits on phone, cars, etc. If you are not comfortable about leaving them with your stuff, remember you are spending the trip with all of their stuff. They are feeling the same way about you. It is essential that you are mutually trusting. Keep in mind that if you lock up your precious jewels (I don't have any) then there is probably little chance that they will be stealing a lamp to schlep back to London or wherever. The only problem we had was a broken wall plaque that one of their children knocked off the wall, but they left money to replace it. We had a pretty good experience overall. This was an excellent way to "go native" in another country.

No, but I have been thinking about it! We live on the water in Fla and have a pool, hot tub and boat. Was thinking about exchanging our house for a place in Europe esp. UK & France. I have been checking out homeexchange.com Have not registered yet. Judy

Just FYI:

In the July 2003 issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, there is an article on home swapping. It's on page 154 (I'm reading it right now, lol) and it lists a few well-established home swap services.

This was a while ago, but when I was in high school my family did a home swap with a family that lived near San Francisco (in Oakland, maybe?? Don't remember the name of the town) It was great fun...they had a pool, a tennis court down the street, and the sites that we saw in California were great. The people who came to our house had never seen the east coast, so they had a great time going to Boston, the CT shore, etc. It worked out really well for everyone. I think my parents were pleased. My mother felt she had to clean like a madwoman before the people showed up at our house!! LOL. But, a good experience for all, I think.

Look at knowyourtrade.com. I just found it & it says it all.