House Swaps Better Than Renting

F or your next vacation or        you into their home. By checking   sabbatical, have you            references and getting to know     thought about the prospect      your house swap partner, you're    of a house swap? Wondering            not likely to run into any         exactly what a house swap is? For     problems.                          answers to frequently asked                                              questions about house swaps, keep     Popular house swap                 reading.                              matching-service Home Exchange                                           (http://www.homeexchange.com) has  1. What is a house swap?              been in business for 14 years,                                           handled thousands of house swaps   A house swap is a straight            and hasn't had a single reported   exchange of houses between two        theft or act of vandalism. With a  homeowners for an agreed-upon         straight housing swap, there's an  period of time. Typically, used       element of trust you might not     as a vacation alternative to          have otherwise.                    hotels and resorts, house swaps                                          are becoming an increasingly          If you're worried, have valuables  popular to save money while           tucked away at a friend's house    really providing a convenient         and ask your neighbor to keep an   means of enjoying alternative         eye on the property.               local culture.                                                                                                 3. How much can I save?            2. Isn't it risky letting                                                strangers into my home?               Think about it this way - let's                                          say a family of four takes a       Though there is inevitably some       vacation. They spend an average    risk in allowing strangers to use     of $200 a night on modest,         anything belonging to you, keep       cramped hotel accommodations and   in mind that they're also letting     about $300 a day on meals out and  entertainment.                                                                                                 If you're unsure about a           With a house swap you get space,      particular house, ask the owner    all the comforts of home, and it      to send more information and       doesn't cost you anything other       photographs. Also, make sure you   than a few groceries for making       read the listing very carefully -  meals in your own kitchen.            particularly if you have a pet or                                        have pet allergies.                4. How do I find people willing                                          to swap with me?                      Also, look for a home that's                                             similar to your lifestyle.         There are a number of online          Usually, an affluent, older        databases like Home Exchange,         couple isn't going to be too       Stay4Free                             happy switching places with a      (http://www.stay4free.com),           young family of three and their    Global Home Exchange                  one-bedroom condo.                 (http://www.4homex.com) and                                              Exchange Zones that all offer         If you have specific questions     extensive matching services.          for the owner that are not         Typically, these sites will           covered in the information         charge an annual membership fee.      provided by the home swap service                                        data base, use the contact         Alternatively, many homeowners        information and make a call or     turn to sites like Craigslist         send an email requesting the       Classifieds or Diggsville to          clarification you need.            access free listing and searching                                        options.                              6. How do I get ready for an                                             exchange?                          5. How do I know a property is                                           right for me?                         Start by putting away private      papers, valuables and any excess      to leave at least 12 inches of     of personal items. Then, start        closet space for your guest along  cleaning and clearing out             with hangers and a few drawers.    clutter. A good rule of thumb is       About the Author For information on exciting vacation rentals, please see http://www.rentalpropertytips.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning vacation destination ideas, such as a St. John villa rental, Smokey Mountain cabin rentals, Maui house rentals and many more! Published At: www.Isnare.com