Swapping Houses

Mar 24, 2008 - 10:15 AM PST

Have you ever wanted to travel and have homes all over the world? Even though you have champagne taste does you bank account reflect more of a beer budget? There may be a solution for you. It’s called Home Exchange or House Swapping. It’s when people temporarily switch homes around the world to go on a vacation. Personally, I have always had a problem coming to terms with paying for a hotel room while I am paying for the house I live in. At the end of the month I feel like I have paid 2 mortgages without the benefits. You not only save a bundle by not having to pay for a hotel but you can live like a local which I feel is the whole point of leisure traveling. Many times this allows the use of each others cars as well so you save a lot on car rental. You could also swap boats, mobile homes, and apartments. There are various clubs you can join to meet other like-minded people. The first club started in the 1950’s. Most clubs are under a $100 however they range from free to over a $1000. Some sites you can visit are:

www.knowyourtrade.com
www.homeexchange.com
www.intervac.com

You can get lots of helpful information and join if you like. Keep in mind there are many other sites you can visit on the web as well.

Exchanging homes isn’t for everyone. If you’re going to be worried the whole time you’re on vacation then it may not be worth it for you. That being said most exchanges are successful. Through the contact and negotiation process you get to know the person or family you are swapping with. They are not only taking the same risk as you but you generally don’t get the party animal vacationer. Keep in mind though different people have different standards on what they consider clean. You will still want to take certain steps to protect yourself like having the post office hold your mail and remove any sensitive documents or valuables. You will also need to talk to your car and home insurance companies to make sure your covered in case of an accident and to clarify who will pay the deductible. Flexibility on time and destination is helpful. This will encourage more interest in trading with you.

A lot of times we become creatures of habit and get stuck in a routine and the same old thoughts of “I’m too busy” and “I can’t afford it”. Hopefully this knowledge will help you realize that the only home you really have is planet earth and it’s the best home of all. You don’t need to save money to buy it and no bank can take it away. The world is a lively place full of wonderful people and wonderful experiences waiting for you to make it happen.


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