A house in San Francisco in the summer was one of the places on offer with house swapping.
HAVING friends and relatives overseas can be an expensive relationship.
For years I missed out on seeing my godfather (and my dad’s best man) because the travel budget just didn’t stretch to flying a family of four from England to Sydney and then putting them up in a hotel.
But when we heard about the then up-and-coming trend of house swapping, out of curiosity we hesitantly joined HomeLink.
On our first try we organised a three-week house swap to spend the Christmas and New Year holiday in Ryde, Sydney for only $165.
In five years, my family has saved up to $30,000 on accommodation during 20 weeks of holidays by house swapping and it’s all been positive. We’ve never returned home to find the house trashed from all-night parties and swappers even fed my fish.
IT’S REALLY NOT THAT BAD
The first reaction people have about house swapping is, “I wouldn’t want people sleeping in my
bed!”
My response to this is it’s a lot less people than the number that has slept in that hotel bed you’re about to spend the night in. And you know for sure the sheets have been washed because you did it yourself.
If you’re worried about valuables or sentimental items, put them somewhere safe, lock them away or give them to a relative. Remember, the trust is mutual. Respect someone else’s home, treat it as your own and it will be reciprocated.
Stay for weeks in London for the cost one night in an average hotel.Source:Supplied
THE BENEFITS
What I love about house swapping is that you feel completely at home in a place you’ve never been before. You aren’t restricted to a hotel room, breakfast times or cleaners knocking on your door.
You can chat to the neighbours for local advice and even swap cars to save paying for cabs or public transport.
Many users are pet-friendly. This means some exchangers are happy for you to bring your cat or dog into their home. If they are willing to care for your pet while they stay, it means you can save your pet the stress of travelling or going to the kennels.
House swaps can range from a weekend away to a six-month stay. I have had all sorts of offers, a month in Europe, a weekend in New Zealand, Christmas in New York and summer in San Francisco.
HOW IT WORKS
JOIN A WEBSITE
For a reasonable annual fee, you can exchange as many times as you want, wherever you want.
House swap websites such as HomeLink or Home Exchange give you the chance to live like a local anywhere in the world for free.
The yearly fees range from $150 to $200, depending on the site you choose. Take note, it would cost you at least $100 per night for a single hotel room in London, but you could stay in a six bedroom villa in the south of France for a small one-time fee with no hidden costs.
LIST YOUR HOME
Creating your home exchange listing is extremely easy. Take some pictures of your house, apartment or motorhome and provide some basic information such as how many beds and bathrooms you have, your preferred destinations and when you’d like to travel.
Christmas in New York for $100? Yes, please.Source:istock
CONNECT WITH OTHER MEMBERS
Once you’ve joined the website, it’s all up to you. Message other users and request exchanges that suit your needs. Discuss dates and details and use the websites agreement form to confirm your swap.
TIPS AND TRICKS
BE HONEST
Don’t try and sell your home as something it isn’t. House swaps are based on trust. Lying about your house, hiding pets or covering up anything unappealing will damage your reputation and deter future house swappers.
MAKE SPACE FOR YOUR GUESTS
From my experience, I’ve always appreciated it when our exchange partners have made some space for us in their home. Emptying a few drawers or clearing some shelves in the wardrobe allows guests to unpack their suitcases and feel a little more at home.
CREATE A PERSONAL GUIDE
Imagine walking into your home for the very first time. How do you turn the TV on? Where are the keys for the backdoor?
Provide your guests with some local information such as when the bins are collected, the best local restaurants and maybe recommend a doctor, dentist or babysitter. It helps to leave phone numbers of reliable neighbours, friends or family members that can help your guests in case of an emergency.
LEAVE A WELCOME GIFT
After a long drive, flight or train journey, save your guests the hassle of rushing straight to the shops. When my family and I arrived on the other side of the world, in someone else’s house, it was nice to be greeted with a few essential items to get us through the first night.
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