Home Exchange saves money and offers a genuine local experience

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Home swap can roll out welcome mat

When Caryn Louise Leschen wants to save money on vacation travel, she doesn't go to Priceline or Travelocity. The San Francisco-based graphic designer visits the home-swapping area of the online community Craig's List (www.craigslist.org) where, for free, prospective home swappers can list their apartments or houses and find others looking to trade cheap sleeps.

If Leschen wants to stay for free in Paris or London, for instance, she looks for some Londoners or Parisians on Craig's List who want to stay in her Bay Area pad while she lives at their place.

The home-exchange business is booming, but free digs are just one reason. Your home-swap partners also can take care of your pets, water your plants, and in some cases, even might let you use their car.

You'll also reduce restaurant tabs because your temporary home will have a kitchen. Peace of mind is another plus: Your swap partners are watching your home while you're watching theirs.

Although the vast majority of home swaps go without a hitch, problems can arise. The most common complaints: minor damage to property and disappointment when the home's description doesn't measure up to reality. Guard against this by dealing with a reputable agency and asking for lots of pictures or, better yet, a video before you book.

Ask for past guest references and make sure your homeowner's insurance covers damage caused by someone you've swapped with.

It's good to have a plan B, spelled out in writing, just in case there's a last-minute snafu such as an emergency that would make a swap impossible. It's a good idea to write up a contract specifying what both parties expect from each other (Is cleaning included? Is your car part of the deal? Who's going to water the plants?).

Leschen, who swaps homes often, has her own set of tips: "Clean your house thoroughly before your guests come, and put anything fragile on a high shelf with a note saying `breakable - do not use,' " she advised.

She also suggests labeling your cabinets so your guests know where things are and writing a little "owner's manual" for the house and neighborhood, including instructions on how to take out the trash.

Leschen also suggests storing valuables in a safe-deposit box or leaving them with friends. Home swapping can be a leap of faith, but like any adventure that involves a bit of risk, the rewards can be great.

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