The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review

Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it’s not? What if you could cut the cost of your stay to zero and still enjoy the comforts of home?

That’s what a home swap promised.

Home swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire prequel to the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). This idea became very popular, but was quickly eclipsed by sites like Airbnb.

But with travel prices skyrocketing post-coronavirus, more and more people are returning to home swapping as a way to save money on their travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of Airbnb).

A home swap is exactly what it sounds like. You register, list your home, then exchange it with someone else in another city. They stay where you are and you stay where they are.

The largest and most popular platform for swaps is Home Exchange.

In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a home exchange and help you decide if HomeExchange is right for you.

What is Home Exchange?

Founded in 1992, HomeExchange is a network that makes it easy to exchange homes with another person or family. The company actually started out as a mail-order print catalog before moving to the Internet. Today, there are more than 200,000 members in more than 155 countries. It is the largest and most popular house swap platform.

Currently, unlimited swap costs $220 per year.

It’s easy to use too. All you have to do is create a free account, fill out your profile (including plenty of photos and detailed descriptions of your home), verify your identity, and pay the fee.

Once you do this, you will be ready to start looking for exchange opportunities.

You can find home exchange opportunities simply by browsing the website (there’s a handy map function so you can see where opportunities are) or narrowing your search using the website filters. You can filter by number of bedrooms, whether it’s pet friendly, accessibility, and amenities (like pools).

When you find a home you’re interested in, all you have to do is reach out via HomeExchange’s secure messaging system, express your interest, and start the conversation.

There are two types of exchanges: what HomeExchange calls the “Classic Exchange” and the “Exchange with GuestPoints.”

Classic exchange
The classic exchange is probably what you think of when you think of a house exchange: you stay in someone’s home, and in turn, they stay in yours. This can be at the same time or at different times, but the point is that it is mutual.

But what if you want to stay at someone’s house and they’re not interested in coming to yours? This is where GuestPoints (GP) comes into play.

What are guest points?
Guest Points (GP) is HomeExchange’s points system. You’ll get $500 when you sign up and earn more by hosting members in your home.

If you want to stay in a place that doesn’t want to do a classic exchange, you can give them a GP to stay in their home. They can then use these points to stay in someone else’s home.

The number of points required per stay varies, but generally ranges between 100-320 EGP per night. This means that with your extra Welcome Points, you’ll be able to try out the platform right away!

Is HomeExchange safe?

Staying at a stranger’s house can be strange. I get it. But using HomeExchange is very safe. As with sites like Airbnb, users must verify their identity, provide proof of address, and create a profile, so you can see photos of where you’re staying before you go.

In addition, you must pay a $500 deposit when reserving a home. This means that if you accidentally break something in the home you’re renting, the homeowner can use that deposit to recoup the cost. HomeExchange also includes damage coverage up to $1,000,000, which means you don’t really have to worry about damage to your home.

Additionally, HomeExchange has a compliance guarantee that states that if a property does not meet the initial home description, they will offer an alternative solution.

Furthermore, if your exchange is canceled at the last minute, HomeExchange will offer compensation of up to $840 per week if you cannot find a replacement.

But perhaps most importantly, every HomeExchange guest is also a host. This gives the system mutual respect and trust. Members treat homes the way they want to be treated, ensuring the community remains respectful and considerate.

So, in short, it is a safe platform that you can use with confidence. They also have 24/7 support in case you have questions, encounter a problem, or have an emergency.

What I liked about HomeExchange

For me, the main draw is the use Home Exchange Is that it lets you live like the locals. It’s like a mix between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Homeowners can share their favorite things to see and do, provide you with personalized suggestions on where to eat, and more. You can get all kinds of insider tips and guidance that you can’t get otherwise, and I think that’s vital for getting off the beaten track and deepening your journeys.

Another great feature is their private Facebook group. It’s another great way to connect with fellow travelers and get travel tips and advice that you won’t find anywhere else. I’m a big fan of travel groups on Facebook as you can really get a lot of great advice and information from them.

Also, if you don’t find an exchange in your first year, HomeExchange waives the fee for the second year. This is a great bonus and I think new members who don’t travel a lot will really appreciate it.

Plus, I also love that homes are available in 155 different countries, and there are over 200,000 members, so you get a lot of options. There is 24/7 customer support and they will help you financially if you cancel your trade-in so you don’t stay stuck in a new city!

Frequently asked questions about Home Exchange

Can I do a house swap if I rent (but don’t own) my place?
Yes! You just need to check the guest policy in your rental agreement/lease agreement. When in doubt, tell your landlord so there are no surprises.

Can I do a house move if I have pets?
Yes! Just be sure to list your pets and their needs in your profile. If you have pets that will be staying at home, be sure to detail their needs and communicate clearly with the member who may be staying there. If you live with pets but they travel with you, you will still want to include their presence in case of allergies. If you wish to travel somewhere and stay in another member’s home with your pet, you again need to be clear about this when arranging a potential exchange.

Can I host people in my spare room as an exchange?
Yes. Just be sure to indicate this is the situation in your listing by selecting “Private Room” instead of “Entire Unit.” Also communicate clearly when arranging the exchange so everyone knows what they are signing up for!

Is there a minimum number of nights required for redemption?
There is no site-wide minimum number of nights, although you’ll find that many hosts set their own minimums (usually 3-7 days). If you’re traveling on an exchange, you’ll likely find that you’ll want to stay at least that long!

Home Exchange It is a great platform for people who want the perks and amenities of a private home in a local neighborhood but on a limited budget. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with family. I think sharing a home creates a sense of intimacy and you might make some friends from it. It’s like Couchsurfing for adults and I’ve made a lot of friends when I use it.

It’s a great platform that can help you get more unique and affordable trips while also connecting you with interesting locals who can share their insider tips and advice.

Click here to learn more and sign up today!