Trading houses..could you do this?

@ersmommy1 (12588)
United States
February 22, 2008 9:29am CST
I saw this on the news. With the housing market so soft, people who really want to move and cannot sell their homes are trading. It works something like this. Two homes of equal or nearly equal value are matched up. Usually using one realtor. People do the online tours and decide yes or no.
3 people like this
4 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
22 Feb 08
It is maybe smart idea to help the market going. I would if I have to move and can not sell my house. I am not sure how taxes are paid on the trading and how much money realtor is going to ask for such trading.
1 person likes this
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
22 Feb 08
I guess I wouldn't see the point in this. Aren't most people selling their homes so that they can upgrade? Although, I guess it would work if you were just trying to keep the same type home or value of home, but get into a different neighborhood.
• United States
22 Feb 08
That's the same thing I wondered. For upgrading or downsizing it wouldn't be very useful. Maybe it is used primarily to move to another city or state?
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
22 Feb 08
No, looking at a house online does not show you everything...the too steep stairs, the too small kitchen, the way too old appliances, squeaky floors, bad windows, poor insulation.
• United States
29 Feb 08
I was recently asked by a friend of mine if we would consider trading mortgages so that we could switch our house for one closer to her. I don't know if I'm bold enough to move my house like that -- I'm afraid of getting the worse end of the bargain -- but it is nice to have a friend that would like us to live right next to her.