Home exchange
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31365)
Denmark
January 24, 2011 3:40pm CST
I was just reading an old magazine and in that magazine there were several ads from people who were interested in home exchange. I have never tried it myself.
On one hand it is a chance to see a different country without spending too much money. If you swap houses with another family you don't have to pay for a hotel and you could save a lot of money that way. On the other hand it can be risky to let strangers stay in your home when you aren't there. I would let my family members or my close friends stay in my home, because I know them and I trust them, but a stranger is a different situation.
In some of the ads the family asked the home swappers to take care of their pets like a cat or dog. I would never do that, I wouldn't trust a stranger enough to let them take care of my pets. They might take perfect care of them, but I would be afraid to take the risk.
Have you tried home exchange? Was it a good or a bad experience? If you haven't tried it, would you like to? Why/why not?
4 responses
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
24 Jan 11
I think it's a good system that should exist regardless of individual opinions, fears & circumstances. I think it would be good to see such a system run or at least monitored or governed by the relevant government department. If that was not possible to set up, one could set up their own system of interviewing & accountability. I've never tried home exchange, but it looks like a good idea in our situation. We're looking to move interstate & have been trying to get jobs there for at least a year. We won't even be considered unless we're actually living there. To get a loan to buy a house we need jobs there to know where to buy, so it's catch-22. With a home exchange system, it would save a ton of money & we don't have pets. Even if the original owners wanted their old residence back after six months or some other agreed time, it wouldn't matter as we would be established by then & could buy up closer to where we worked. If the system were properly managed, I don't really see a problem with it, especially if regular third party inspections were held.
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
25 Jan 11
It sounds like a difficult situation and in a case like yours home exchange might be a good option. I think it could be useful in other situations as well for instanse if a person is thinking about moving to another part of country but isn't completely sure about the decision. With a home exchange they could get the chance to to stay in the area for a short period before they make a permanent a decision and buy a house in the area. There are advantages about it, but I also think that some kind of inspections would be neccesary.
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
22 Feb 11
Thanks for the BR 
You're right; there should be more "third party" monitoring of sorts - even if it came down to the monitoring body receiving live video feeds, but not to invade privacy.
You're right; there should be more "third party" monitoring of sorts - even if it came down to the monitoring body receiving live video feeds, but not to invade privacy.1 person likes this
@housechaos7 (609)
•
25 Jan 11
I havent and dont think i ever could unless i had another property to exchange with that wasnt my normal home,as my homeis personally mine and my familys,it wouldnt feel right.
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
26 Jan 11
Some people who have a summer cottage use that house instead of their personal home when they want to do a home exchange. I don't own more than one house, so I don't have that option if I wanted to do a home exchange, but I understand what you mean, because my home is full of personal things. If it was a summer cottage I wouldn't feel the same way about it I think, because it is less personal.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
24 Jan 11
Never and never. I won't do that. I can't trust a single stranger, and I just can't let them stay in my house. I suggest people don't do it too. Unless they are your closed friends, otherwise, you won't know what happen to your home furniture or other appliances. So, I would strongly against it.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
24 Jan 11
I understand what you mean. Even though it could be a cheap way to get a vacation in another country, I also think about the risks. Who knows if the strangers will damage my things, forget to lock the door, forget to put out the candles etc. I know my close friends very well and I know that they are responsible and that they would treat my home well, but if it is a stranger I don't know for sure if I can trust them or not. I know that many people have had a positive experience with home exchange, but personally I tend to focus on the risks when I think about the idea.
@doggydimon (1369)
• Philippines
25 Jan 11
Nowadays, this is too risky for anybody. I will never try this ever. 
Many things may happen while you are out and a stranger is in your home. Worst case scenario would be theft especially when you have lots of gadgets at home. The second thing that comes into mind is what if anything is broken by the stranger.
Many things may happen while you are out and a stranger is in your home. Worst case scenario would be theft especially when you have lots of gadgets at home. The second thing that comes into mind is what if anything is broken by the stranger.1 person likes this
