March 3, 2008
Home exchange news article with interview
This is another article on home exchange, but in addition to the same old stuff I did read a few things for the first time with this one.
"Think of house swapping like internet dating for your house," suggests homexchange.com, which, like others, helps home traders connect but leaves the exchange details up to them. "You wouldn't go on a date if you didn't feel a connection, the same goes for home exchange."
They also mention hospitality exchange / couch surfing.
At the bottom, there's an interview with Helen Bergstein of Digsville.com. She says that housekeeping often determines the success of a home exchange.
Posted by James Trotta at March 3, 2008 7:10 AM | TrackBack
I have done this once and it worked out really well. I traded with a family who lived in London but had a vaction house in France. I traded my beach home in Galveston , Tx with a family with one child and than a group of women , 8 of us,ranging from 18 to 67, went to the south of France. Both groups had a great time . We both used the homes as bases and travel the respected countries for 2 weeks. They only saw a bit of Texas but we saw all of the South of France.
I am in the process of doing this again for a trip in Nov. I will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks Sherry - which site did you use to find your first exchange? And will you use it again for the next one?
Posted by: James Trotta at March 5, 2008 11:58 AMWe are about to embark on our 37th home exchange since 1991. We have had lots of great experiences. We use HomeExchange.com. I have no commercial ties to any home exchange club but I write a blog with tips for new and veteran home exchangers at HomeExchange.Blogspot.com.
Posted by: Nicole at March 7, 2008 1:25 AMI too have taken part in 30+ home exchanges over a period of 20 years. I tried homeexchange.com, but found it to be bloated with rentals (I thought it was a home exchange site???), plus listings added from defunct clubs thy've bought out, the owners of which are as often as not, no longer actively seeking exchanges.
I've enjoyed much better success with clubs such as ExchangeHomes.com in the US and HomeBaseHols in the UK. They seem to be clubs with a heart, not just seeking to be a "big business".
Posted by: Lizzie at March 8, 2008 7:45 PM