adams41

We live in Florida and are thinking of spending a few days in Boston during the Christmas period. Having spent the past 3 weeks in California in both hotels and rental apartments, we definitely prefer the latter.
I would be interested to know if anyone has swapped their home and what they thought of their experience. Also how did they find a swappee?
many thanks

Anonymous

There are several organizations that specialize in listings for potential home exchanges. I like HomeLink, which was established decades ago. Another successful online company is homeexchange.com. As a first-timer, do look for an experienced exchanger who understands the processes and issues involved.

lcuy

I think it depends a lot upon your personality. My parents did this many times when I was a kid. always worked out well and allowed some exotic vacations that we could probably not afforded if staying in hotels.


My husband though, is very uncomfortable with even our friends housesitting. Things being out of place, sand on the bathroom floor really irritate him, so I would never want to do it with our home.

My neice had a bad experience a while back...they traded their US home for an apt in Paris. They were very happy with the Paris place, but the other people changed their plans and never got to my neices home. You'd think this would be a positive, but it was a dry summer and all their houseplants and the lawn died because the people weren't there to water. The newspaper and mail really piled up on the porch (screaming "vacant house") too.

Anonymous

Indeed, one of the common activities for home-exchangers is to set up a neighbor as a "useful local contact" who can not only make the exchanger feel less disoriented, and provide tips on local resources and customs, but who can also keep an eye on things and alert the homeowner if anything is obviously amiss. Especially now that everybody has internet access (especially if you find your exchange on the net), it's standard for the exchangers to touch base with each other once in a while. The basic premise for successful exchanges is LOTS of communications. And not being too attached to your "stuff." As long as there's no sand in the bathroom when you get home, you have no idea what went on in there while you were away.

adams41

Thanks for all of that - like everyone, we don't want our stuff to be damaged but have a great and friendly neighbourhood who would keep an eye on things.
Don't suppose that any of the listers here would be interested in swapping Boston for Florida during the Christmas period.

suze

If you're serious, you might want to start another post with a title that is specific to this last question?
Quite the long-short that someone who's interested would even see it here.

lnicodemus

House swapping is a grand idea. When I made my first swap to Paris, I was a nervous wreck. The trauma of buying a ticket and making sure that your partner does not back out, is enough to make the most calm person pop a xanax! For me that is the worst, the next being the cleaning and preparation required. (I am not exactly a neatnik!) But after that, even though the place was small, the glory of being on the Left Bank of Paris without paying a cent for rent is unsurpassable. It turned out to be such a glorious experience, that after several others, my partner created www.knowyourtrade.com. It is a free, unaffiliated web site that rates and reviews all 60 home exchange clubs, in addition to providing many resources for home exchange. Take a look if you are interested in learning about home swapping.
Know Your Trade - Home Exchange Made Easy