House Swapping Saves

By drodriguez Jul 28, 2009

Although for many of us vacations are being put on the back burner this summer, there may an affordable way to get out of town for a few days. House swapping is soon becoming a growing trend among vacationers who are trying to keep their travels as thrifty as possible.

The idea of trading homes with someone else who is traveling is not new. You may remember the 2006 movie The Holiday starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz where the two women are depicted as switching homes (a Los Angeles mansion for a quaint English cottage) over the Christmas holiday. According to a recent Time magazine article, the company Intervac has been setting up home exchanges for people since 1992.

Though not new, it is just now that these services are reporting dramatic increases in the rate of house swapping. The website HomeExchange.com has seen a more than 30 percent increase in their membership this last year. Home swapping has become so popular because it eliminates the huge cost of hotels on vacation. Depending on where you live, it may or may not be simple to find a suitable swap. For example, if you live in a nice apartment in the heart of Paris, France it may take less time for you to find someone willing to swap than if you live in a small town in say Virginia.

The idea that one man's shack is another man's castle could certainly apply here. Kathleen Dwyer, a home exchanger for six years, reported to Time magazine about a swap experience she had when she traded her one bedroom Manhattan apartment with a view of the alley for an upscale California home on a lagoon with a view of the ocean. Dwyer said, "The got this little, small apartment, and I got this million-dollar home. I laughed at the trade, but they were happy to be near their daughter in Manhattan, so it worked out fine."

What do you think of the idea of swapping homes with a stranger during a vaction?

Do you think you might consider home exchange on your next trip?

Make a Comment

Comments

by wanderlust | Enoch, UT

Aug 16, 2009

It's a great idea in theory but in practice, I would spend my whole vacation worrying what was going on in my home. My husband and I built our home by ourselves, it took 2 years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears and it means too much to me to just hand the keys to someone I don't know, even if they have been background checked.... and yeah, like songlark said... strangers in my bed, no thank you! Hat's off to those that could go through with this though - i think it's a great idea and could potentially save a lot of money. Happy vacationing!

by tycrstal | Tarentum, PA

Aug 16, 2009

I think this is a great idea, but I dont think you would should take your time and pick who your swaping with wisely.

by songlark | Wilmington, DE

Aug 15, 2009

The concept is appealing but I'm not too sure I could actually let strangers stay in my home. The thought of strangers in my bed! Nah!

by gabbagabba04 | Ireton, IA

Aug 15, 2009

This is a very neat program for very obvious reasons, and it would be a lot of fun to go stay in someone else's house! But personally I don't know that I could let some strangers come stay in my home when I'm not there... :s :)

by terribagwell | DAHLONEGA, GA

Aug 14, 2009

Wonderful Concept, of course you would need a safe to put some of the "personal belongings". This is a wonderful way to get away and have a vacation at such a low price. The companies that provide these services all are very thorough with checking out each and every party so no worries!!!

by ASSWEETASBRANDY | MIDWAY, KY

Aug 14, 2009

I Love the idea....course unless someone wants a vacation in a run down trailer...it looks like I'll be out! LOL

by staceydv44 | westlake, LA

Aug 14, 2009

i think it would be a great way to see diffrent places .. but i would feel safer having background checks and everything :)

by glendal | Marlboro, MA

Aug 14, 2009

I would be interested in staying in sombody elses house , But not sure about someone staying in mine

by Zickefoosejr | Waco, TX

Aug 14, 2009

I would be worried about this being stolen etc... not interested

by jessica243 | Imperial Beach , CA

Aug 12, 2009

No, way would a stranger stay in my house not with my kid's and husband. I'm a women my self I know how females think and no, way now a day's not even you're own shadow can be trusted. Right!!!! No, thank you, I rather stick with watching the show then being in it.!!!

by jacgardens | CHICO, CA

Aug 11, 2009

I would not at all be interested in swapping houses with a stranger. Not in this day and age. I would much rather use a vacation rental company, and stay in one of those.

by izzystevens | North Canton, OH

Aug 11, 2009

I'm sorry, but I think it would be really weird to have a stranger living in my home when I'm not there. No way.

by thebutlerdidit | CHEBOYGAN, MI

Aug 11, 2009

I'm not comfortable with this idea at all. I get creeped out thinking about people in my house when I'm not home. Looking at my clothes, in my drawers and cupboards - ick!

by shellie | melbourne, FL

Aug 09, 2009

I love this idea !! I would of course do a background check on the people thst I would be swapping with but all in all , I like it !!

by bonnieb118 | Bennington, VT

Aug 07, 2009

Just doesn't settle with me. I'd be too paranoid to know that someone else was sleeping in my bed. There's also another website where you can swap couches with another family. I wonder how many people actually do this.