Frequently Asked Questions
about Home Exchange
What's the
difference between home swap, house swap and home exchange?
Exchange or swap all
relate to the same concept. Home swap is a regional expression
used mostly in the UK, Australia,
New Zealand and parts of Europe.
Home Exchange is more commonly used in Canada,
US
and Mexico.
In France,
echange de maison is commonly used, translating into house exchange or
exchange of house.
Can I save money traveling on a
home exchange?
Yes. Depending where you
travel, one night at a modest hotel can be well over $100 a night plus
taxes, hotel surcharges, parking and meals. - Imagine the
savings on a 2 week home exchange vacation. Instead of a paying
for a hotel, swap homes and stay free. Saving money is not the only
benefit of a home exchange. A house offers a family more
space, more conveniences and more freedom. Plus you can experience
an area as a local, not a tourist.
Can I exchange homes
within my own region or county?
Although
international home swaps will always be popular, the growing trend to
Exchanges
within ones own region and country is the fastest growing use of home
exchange.
What is the length of a
typical exchange?
Whatever works for
you. Global offers weekend
exchanges, short term swaps from 1 to 3 weeks and longer
term swaps of several months to a year or more.
Why
would someone want to come to my house or area?
Over the many years that we have
worked with exchangers, we have come to appreciate that one can not
predict why someone would want an exchange to a particular area. We have
had members from remote areas find exchanges from people who loved
fishing and hunting. We also have had members in Hawaii that
exchanged homes with exchange partners that didn't even go to the beach
and yes even members from a warm climate that just wanted to experience
living for a week or two in snow. Many Global members are
open to traveling to new places, so don't let your area be a limitation
to you finding a home swap.
If your home is in an out of the
way area or not tourist oriented, we encourage you to send out heaps of
inquiries, and put a bit of effort into explaining about your home,
neighborhood and area. As Global is network of several home exchange
clubs, we suggest you take advantage of the worldwide membership offered
and send out lots of inquiries to support your listing.
Who can answer my listing?
Any Global member plus members of
our worldwide partner clubs who register with Global. Our multi
home exchange club members may also register their home on our partner
clubs.
Do I need to have extra
insurance?
Check that your
homeowner's insurance will be valid while your exchange partners live in
your home. Make it very clear to your agent that they are your
non-paying guests. Most insurance companies will recognize that your
home is at lower risk from burglary when it is occupied, but your
insurance cover may be invalid if you omit to notify the company before
your exchange holiday. We understand that most insurance covers
exchange partners as invited guests in your home and offers coverage as
such..
Besides saving
money, what are some other benefits from swapping homes?
Many travelers join
Global thinking the biggest benefit will be the money they save. This is
most certainly realized with savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars
on hotels, vehicles and meals. After swapping homes most will say
that the greatest benefits are experiencing an area like a local, not a
tourist and having the comfort of being in a multi room home rather than
a cramped hotel room. Families with children
love the spaciousness of an exchange house.
May I exchange my rental
apartment or rental house?
Yes. We
suggest you contact the owner of the apartment or house you are renting
to get any permissions necessary.
Do I have to swap my
car as well?
Swapping cars is
entirely up to you. From our own personal experience in swapping cars as
part of an exchange we recommend you and your house swap partner sign a
car exchange agreement.
Can I exchange pets?
Some members are
quite happy to look after pets for their partners, but don't feel an
obligation to offer these services if you are worried about the
responsibility. Likewise, don't burden your guests unless you are sure
they are happy with the arrangement. In all likelihood your partners
will use your home as a base while making daily, and often overnight
sightseeing trips, and may not want to be tied down with pet care.
Communicate everything at these initial stages of making arrangements.
Each member listing notes whether there are pets in the house, whether
pets are welcome as part of the exchange and whether pet care is
required. We have two small dogs. We have taken them on
exchanges with us as part of our exchange agreement, left them with
friends or in a kennel when our exchange partner didn't want them in
their home and have looked after our exchange partners cats while
staying in their home.
Who is responsible for
cleaning the house?
It really is a
personal choice. Sometimes our members arrange for their
home to be cleaned by a service, other times you clean the house before
you leave.
A good rule is to leave the house
exactly as you found it, and to take care of the home as you expect your
partner to take care of yours.
Do you have a privacy
policy?
We value your privacy.
Global Home Exchange and
Vacation Homes does not publish your name, phone number,
street address or email address in your listing unless you wish it to be
there. Our system hides your personal contact information yet makes it
possible for a potential home exchange partner to contact you
directly from your listing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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