From: bob
efficient search
My wife and I are interested in any swapping our home in DC for almost anywhere in Europe for 2-4 weeks next spring. Is there an exchange (reverse listing?) that can not just provide us-but selectively notify us of - contacts with a reciprocal interest?Reply
Bob, most home exchange agencies have a reverse search, so you can look for people wanting to go to your country, state, or city. Agency search functions vary, many have a simple and advanced search. I would try different ones out. Homeexchange.com used to have a feature where you could request to be notified about new listings from particular countries. If you are flexible as to European country I think you will have many options.From: Jane
Home Exchange in Scotland for 2010
Hallo!We live in Edinburgh, Scotland, and are interested in doing a home exchange with a family in Lyon, this Christmas. Do you know of any websites/organisations who would provide assistance with this?
Thanks
Jane
Reply
This question prompted a longer reply than I could fit in this section. Please see my blog for a detailed answer.From: Unknown
Would someone come to my country
Hi!I live in Manila, Philippines. Home exchange is not only unheard of here, but also we are aware of the bad publicity this country is getting. we are US citizens running our own businesses here.What are our chances of finding someone to swap homes with in Hawaii, Rome, Barcelona or in Greece? If people do brave coming here, they usually prefer beaches and Manila is more of a bustling, chaotic city. Do we stand a chance?Reply
You will have a difficult time if you limit your search to Hawaii, Rome, Barcelona, or Greece. You could join the top 3 home exchange clubs that have about 50,000 members. Let's assume 1/10th of 1% will consider Manila. That is about 50 families. But if you say they have to live in the four destinations above you might find only 1, 2, or zero. To have a good chance you need to widen your list of acceptable destinations. You would need to contact potential partners to look at your listing.From: samuelbandana@yahoo.co.uk
do i need to pay money to be a host ?
am asking that do i need to pay money to be a member or a host?Reply
There are free home exchange agencies, such as www.switchome.org or www.homeforhome.co.uk. The price to be a member of a home exchange club or agency varies. Visit www.knowyourtrade.com or www.camago.com for lists of home exchange clubs/agencies. Once you are a member you normally don't pay for each exchange. There are agencies such as www.geenee.com which are free but ask you to pay a fee when you arrange an exchange.From: samuelbandana@yahoo.co.uk
i want to be a memeber
Am a student of takoradi polytechnic in ghana and i want to know how much it will cost me to exchange with a home in canada and london.Reply
There are free home exchange agencies and there are those you have to pay for. With agencies you pay for you get one listing included in the membership price. If you want to list more than one home you have to pay extra. Normally in a home exchange there is no money exchanged between partners.From: Likes Old Folks
Seniors Home Exchange Alive
I posted here before and I want to correct this. The seniors home exchange network seems to be up and running at:http://www.seniorshomeexchange.com/
I don't know what the problem was, and as I said before, I've had good experience with them.
From: Likes Old Folks
Senior Home Exchange Defunct?
We've had good experience with www.SeniorsHomeExchange.com but now their website looks like someone else has taken over. Any news about them?Reply
You are the second reader to ask about Seniorshomeexchange.com. They have disappeared. Their website is shown as under construction but it could also just be a way to generate revenue from Google ads. There is no content except sponsored links (ads)to other websites. The folks at Knowyourtrade.com review all home exchange agencies and couldn't get in contact with the owners of SeniorsHomeExchange even when it was in business. Suggest you try other home exchange agencies.From: Katrina
Craigslist?
I have made two successful domestic exchanges through Craigslist (I'm in Hawaii) Is there any reason that I should pay an agency when this is working well?Mahalo.
Reply
Hi Katrina,Since you are in Hawaii you have lots of home exchange choices. The advantage of using a home exchange agency is the efficiency of the process and more choices. Home Exchange agency formats are designed to efficiently convey information about possible home exchanges. The search tools allow you to quickly find what you are looking for. The process of looking for an exchange, making an initial inquiry, and negotiating are quicker and easier. Visit home exchange agencies and look!
From: dlvjaz
only one car exchange
Hi I live in Paris and was looking for an echange with house car in the colorado mountains, is this done? Only one party having a car? Thanks, DonnaReply
Home exchange is a flexible activity and the individuals involved make a deal according to their wishes and needs. So yes, you can ask for an exchange in Colorado that includes a car at the same time you are not offering a car in Paris. You might consider offering them a pass good for use of the RATP system or leave them a pile of metro tickets that they could use. Maybe you could buy them a rail pass good for a few days in France. Be creative and flexible. The Guru.From: Jay Bea
How do pets do
Do you recommend exchanging pets or are they too much of an inconvenience for the exchange family to handle, while on vacation in your home?Should the pets be boarded in kennels?
I look forward to hearing about different experiences with pets.
