Are you ready for the 13 must know things about Home Exchange? Things you need to know about before forking over the money for a membership.

Home Exchange can be a great resource if you’re looking to travel more throughout the year. Especially if you don’t have the budget for fancy hotels. We always found it odd to leave our place empty when traveling. We loved the idea that someone could use our place while we were away. They would get to travel and explore our city. We enjoy talking to other travelers, and this was a great way to do that.  It allows us to have a local friend we can reach out to for all the insider tips. But before you jump at the idea, this isn’t for everyone. It only works for certain people.

So, if you’re looking to become a member. Here is what you need to know before taking the leap to pay for you annual membership fee.

1.      There are 4 Different Ways to Exchange with Other Members

To make exchanges available to more people and to work within their busy calendar, 4 different types of exchanges are possible.

Exchanges can be Reciprocal-Simulations, meaning at the same time. You go to my house, and I go to yours on the same dates. Reciprocal Non-simultaneous, meaning we exchanges homes at different times. As long as you have both made arrangements to vacate your homes during the agreed times, this is a much more flexible option. It does work best with second homes but is not limited to second homes. Some members opt to visit a friend or go camping to make this option possible.

A Non-Reciprocal exchange, meaning you visit a home in exchange for guest points and they do not visit your home. Guest points are the platforms non-monetary currency that can be used to stay at other homes. This works if you are not available to exchange or are not interested in their home. Finally, a Hospitality exchange, meaning the host will be home during your visit. A hospitality exchange can be done for guest points or a future exchange to your home. This arrangement will usually only work with homes that have at least of 2 bedrooms. This means you are still able to host guests when you are home, but they still have a private area. Hospitality exchanges are best for short stays of 1-7 nights. Longer ones are not recommended in case you don’t get along.

Exchanges for guest points allow for more flexibility when searching for an exchange. But keep in mind that as a new member you will have very little guest points to start. You will need to host first to gain enough guest points and reviews for most trips. Guest points are earned by hosting people at your home and not going to their place in return. Some members will accept guest points for an exchange and others won’t. The more reviews the easier your chance at securing guest points stays. So local exchanges may be best to help build your profile in the beginning.

2.      Property Listings Include more than Just Private Homes

You might have the misconception that exchanging is always with someone’s private home. This is not the case at all.

Exchange properties take all shapes and forms. People exchange using private homes, trailers, or campers. As well as short term rental properties, exclusive resorts, and time shares. Gated or member communities, boat houses, tree houses and coach houses. Tiny homes, chateaus, fully staffed villas, hotels, and more. So not all spaces will feel lived in, and some are highly designed for vacationers. So, if you are looking for a homey or luxury feel for your trip away, you can find it all.

3.      Its Time Consuming to Find your First Exchange

This is not a booking platform. Think of it is more like a home dating site. People have a variety of reasons to reject or accept an offer for an exchange. You won’t always know what someone is looking for. It’s all about fit, personality fit, aesthetic preference, timing of a visit, home capacity and more. All of which take a lot of time to discover.

There is no quick way to organizing an exchange. But putting in the time can help you land a better exchange that makes your time away much more memorable. You are often required to send 20-30 messages to receive a response with a glimmer of hope. All messages should be personalized to each person. Speak to why they may be interested in exchanging with you over someone else. Remember that you need to stand out amongst the crowd.  

This requires reading a lot of profiles. Try making date changes to broaden home availability. This isn’t for everyone. As it can take up a lot of your time. You will get out of it what you put in. So don’t expect exchanging homes to be quick, simple, or easy. But is it worth it? I think so.

4.  Exchanging as a New Member is a Hurdle

When deciding who to let in your home, we all rely on reviews. Reviews are becoming less reliable as a method for vetting potential exchange partners. Yet, they are still the main method available.

As a default, homes with no reviews are not looked upon as promising. This is where reviews from other platforms can assist. Trusted House Sitters and other nonmonetary exchange reviews can assist. But reviews from Airbnb and other paid sites don’t help very much in building trust. Paid platforms come with a different level of respect and understanding. These expectations have for the most part not transferred well to this platform.

We as a result recommend exchanging with homes in the same situation you are in. New homes that also need to build a review score. It is unfortunate, but new members is a risk some don’t want to take with their homes. New members are not familiar enough with how to behave and what the expectations are with their visit.

Many new members treat Home Exchange like a cheaper Airbnb. They are looking for services and are not aware of the expectation to leave a home clean. Departing a home can include washing of all bedding and preparing for new guests. New members often provide review scores more inline with paid hotel platform standards. The risk of such behavior can tank the account of a seasoned member. All because of some misunderstanding.

There will always be a learning curve. But getting a request from a seasoned member can help break barriers to your first exchange.  

5.      Flexibility is King

If you are dead set on a certain destination at a specific time. This may not be the platform for you. Why?

Flexibility is the key to success. The more people you can host, the more places you can discover, the more you will get out of your membership. You need to be flexible enough to accept guests when a request is made. As well as flexible enough to jump at travel opportunities when they arise. Everyone understands that you can’t take an 8-hour flight every week. But finding a way to say yes helps you when you need it the most. This is a network and building a great one allows you to pull on resources when needed.

Some people ask. “How can I host people in my primary home? I have no place to go.”

That’s when you need to think outside the box. You can also host guests when you already have plans to be away. Why leave your place empty? You can host members while you are home with a Hospitality exchange. All are great methods for building points, reviews and developing your profile. 

But what about where you want to go? Flexibility is key here too. Don’t be set on a specific destination, city, time, or neighborhood.

You need to be flexible and work within the availability of the home your interested in visiting. This opens up possibilities of where you can go. It took us a long time to find an exchange in Amsterdam. We were lucky when we found a home with guest point availability. They had a trip abroad already planned and didn’t want to leave their home empty. We arranged to be at their home then and they would visit our place later. They secured a trip for the future, and we got to visit Amsterdam before heading to Asia.

To get the location you want or to be near a desirable area, some sacrifices will be needed. Maybe only homes in the suburbs are available for your dates. Or maybe only homes that require pet care. Maybe the home you want is available but on different dates.

Its important to note that city center locations get hounded with requests. This leads them to accept guests way less often. They are more selective in who they choose to have in their home. You need to realize that prime times in prime locations are not easy to get. It will take work and many personalized requests. Do what you can in your request to stand out from the other inquiries they will receive.

There are so many places to discover. Do not limit yourself to city centers in popular destinations. See and do more. Just because a home is available, does not mean you are entitled to this availability. This is not a rental platform. A comfort level, feeling of trust and mutual respect must be present.

6.      Personalization and Details Matter

When requesting a home, its important to remember that this is a site where most members are looking to make deeper connections. They are willing to help like minded travelers and want to know more about those looking to stay in their home.

If you don’t have the time or respect to read my home description, I can’t trust you would read my home rules. I can tell if you have read about my home in your request. Exchange requests that fail to read about my home will automatically be denied. Respect must be mutual.        

This means that you need to read all listings when searching for an exchange. Try to find similarities to see if your expectations about space, vacation and home align. What are you looking to do for your visit? How many people will join you and how are they related to you? Answering all these questions and making a connection in some way is important. Put your best foot forward and make a good first impression. This increases your chances of securing your dream destinations.

Sometimes timing isn’t right, but the relationship may result in an exchange at some other time. When a good impression is made, people are willing to go above and beyond to help. Even if someone’s home isn’t available, they may let you know when they have openings or how they can assist. Maybe they have not updated their calendar yet. A good impression allows you to increase your chances of a yes when no availability is listed.

If you relay on the template to send exchange requests, your chances of success will be low. These types of requests do not send a message of kindness, respect, courtesy, or confidence. If English is not your first language, don’t worry. Send messages in your native language, the translation feature works great.  There isn’t a reason for skipping this step and it will make a difference in your acceptance rate.

Personal and detailed messages include the following. Details about you, your party, your plans for the area, your expectations of the home and how you plan to use it. As well as evidence that you have read their home listing and user profile. What prompted you to send a request? Was it because their home is well located or has low points? This is not a good reason and not something a host wants to hear. Think more personally.

For us, we love exchanging with families who introduce their children to travel and the outdoors. This was an important part of our childhood, so we value that mentality in exchange partners. We like to exchange with full time or nomadic travelers because we are the same, we understand what is needed in a home. We are very interested in those who have moved to a new country. We would love to have a new home base and being able to pick the brain of members who have done this is valuable to us.

Why do you think you would be a good exchange partner? What is there to do in your area should they be interested in visiting your home or area? These details matter and should be part of your initial communication.

7.      Not All Homes Accept Kids

Some homes are not designed with kids in mind. As a result, homeowners prefer to not have them as exchange guests. They could have expensive decor or art. Sharp corners or dangerous stairs. They may not have an answer as to why that you find reasonable. It doesn’t matter, its their home.

Please don’t contact someone who asks not to have kids in their home. Everyone says that their child is well behaved. A host does not want to have to repeat their No or provide you a great explanation. They are entitled to their own preference of who they let in their home. This is allowed and should not be shunned.

There is a great flip side of the matter. Home exchanging with another family that has kids means finding well suited spaces. No one is split up is separate hotel rooms and everyone still has some private area. There are toys, sporting equipment and games to keep the kiddos busy. Sharing similar spaces means there is less you need to travel with. Homes can have cribs, children’s beds and are often in family friendly neighborhoods.

Make sure to read listings to ensure you and your family are a good candidate for an exchange. Just because kids are not always accepted, doesn’t mean there isn’t a great kid friendly home available for you. Make sure to use the filter if you are looking for kid friendly homes.

8.      Pets are Not Always Welcomed

Some homes are pet free due to allergies or personal preferences. Luckily there is a filter feature that allows you to search for places that allow your furry friends. Even homes that will watch your pets in exchange for theirs. But the filter is not that specific.

Be aware that pets can limit the number of homes that will or can exchange with you. Either as a guest or host.  But it can also open a wider range of options if you are prepared to watch pets. Some people love watching pets. Others want to have a pet and want to be see how their kids will behave with them before getting one of their own. You never know someone’s reason to want or not want pets.

9.      Extra Costs are Possible.

We already know about the annual membership fee. Yet this is not always the only cost to exchanging. Some homes may have mandatory cleaning fees upon departure. Others can have a local tourist tax that the city collects. Even a resort/club fee if their home is part of a communal living situation in a resort or condo.

Extra fees are not always present. But they should be expected and not come as a shock when looking for an exchange. Keep in mind that extra fees are limited to those mentioned above. Cleaning fees, tourist taxes and resort fees. If you find more fees listed in a description, they are not permitted. Please report the account so it can be investigated.

All homes that have extra fees are required to list those in their home description. They can not be added after or requested if they were not disclosed before receiving the request. Failure to do so is against the platforms policy.   

 10.      Your Account Can NOT be Used by Friends or Family

Membership to Home Exchange is for the residents of one household only per account. This means that you can not gift your parents or friends exchange stays. But this also means that all members of the same household can use one account. An exchange does not need to include the account holder as a guest, but a resident from the house must be present. This can be adult children, parents, or spouses.

Why? It is a term of use for the platform. Breaking a term of use can result in the cancellation of your account. Removal of your home listing and the cancellation of any scheduled stays. It also voids any guarantees or protections. Such as a replacement stay if a host cancels. Even financial compensation in the event of property damage or a replacement stay at a hotel.

The Home Exchange guarantee only covers interactions that abide by these terms. So, to ensure you protected in the event of damage, any loss or cancellation or more, please abide by them. For all the up-to-date terms, review the site. https://www.homeexchange.com/p/terms-of-use 

11.  How to Deal with Damage

We always hope for the best and should prepare for the worst when letting someone into our space. This is why you need to know about the home exchange guarantees. One of which is for damage. It ensures that your home is protected for up to one million in damages.

Yet, making a claim against someone who insists damage wasn’t caused by them is not easy. The conditions of the guarantee require you to have an inspection of the home before and after each stay.  The inspection can not be done by an incoming guest. Pictures of the condition of all items will need to be documented.

If you think there may be damage, you must claim the members $500 deposit before the option expires. This option expires, 10 days following the guests visit. You will need to inform Home Exchange if you will be claiming the full or partial deposit. They need to know why the claim was made and get evidence of the damage. A repair quote needs to be submitted as well.

Just because a claim is made, does not mean it will be accepted or paid out. The more documentation you have the easier it will be to deal with damage should any occur.

12.       Only Finalized Exchanges are Guaranteed

This means that just because a member said yes to an exchange, does not mean that an exchange will happen. Plans change all the time. Not until your exchange is final and accepted by both parties, is an exchange finalized. As a result, we recommend for nothing to be booked before your exchange is finalized and thus protected.  

Please do not book flights or anything else for a trip before this time. Hosts can change their mind or have personal things come up. Only finalized exchanges are protected with the home exchange guarantee. This means that home exchange will find you an alternate home within a 50 km radius of the original exchange. If they fail to do so they will pay up to $120 USD per night to use towards paid accommodations for a maximum of 14 nights.  See more about their guarantees here: https://help.homeexchange.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000619397-What-guarantees-are-included-with-my-exchanges-

13.  Exchanging is Addicting

If you are a travel lover, you are always looking forward to what’s next. You begin to look at home availability every time you daydream of a new destination. Building a wish list of your favorites until its time to go. Finalizing an exchange with a guarantee is an exhilarating feeling. Once you book your first few, it won’t be long until you are checking to see how soon you are available to do your next one. You won’t want to stop. This takes up a lot of time and if you’re into social media, this will turn in to another mindless scrolling love. Except your mind is looking for a new place to explore.

Now that you have all the insight about the Home Exchange platform, your ready to decide if it’s a good fit for you. You won’t be caught off guard after paying you annual membership fee. Will this be your new favorite way to travel?

We feel like our comfort levels have been upgraded with our stays. I write this from a home exchange in New Orleans in the heart of the French Quarter. We finalized a reciprocal exchange with only having viewed one photo. They had not finished their remodel. They have utilized technology to the highest level. The bed has a remote that can heat or cool your sleep. Small lights come on from under the bed if I must get up and use the washroom at night, lighting the toilet as I enter too. I am honestly amazed. Most sites are a 6–15-minute walk. Sometime the stars just all align.

The spirit of Home Exchange revolves around the human touch. Leaving little welcome gifts and thank you gifts. Providing guests with a first meal or a snack so they don’t go hungry looking for a place. Making sure some basics are provided and some local tips are given about where to go and what to avoid. This connection and gratitude bring us all together. Strangers are welcoming you into their home, their private space. Show it respect and appreciation for this over-the-top act of kindness.

Should you be looking for a referral code to boost your guest points when you start, try ours. “robyn-ecde5“. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out on social media and we would be happy to help.

Why not make an account with our link below and see if you can generate some interest in your home before paying the annual fee?