Home Exchange saves money and offers a genuine local experience

Member Stories

My First Home Exchange

I first heard about home exchange from a friend. The whole thing started because of a disaster at my house while I was on vacation.

Several summers ago, I took a dream vacation to Europe. I thought I took care of everything at my home. I discontinued my newspaper, had the post office hold my mail, and even installed some automatic light switches to turn on some lights randomly so that burglars wouldn't think the house was empty.

When I got back home I found a pipe had burst under a kitchen sink and the house was completely flooded. Luckily, my neighbor spotted water flowing out the front door and called the fire department.

It cost over $25,000 to replace one smashed front door lock, hardwood floors, redo sheet rock etc. What a mess.

My friend pointed out to me that if I had exchanged houses with someone in Europe, my disaster would have been found and corrected with just the cost of a plumber. As a benefit I would have been staying in a more comfortable place and for free!

Since then, I have taken 2 different home exchange programs. Both times have been great.

Some people say they are afraid that a fellow home exchanger might rip them off or make a mess of their house. But I can't see how anyone could ever cause more damage than what can happen to your empty house while your away.

Member Stories