Best website for home swaps? My home exchange review

Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it’s not? What if you could reduce your lodging costs to zero while still enjoying all the comforts of home?
That’s the promise of a home swap.
Home swaps have been around for decades. This is the entire premise of the movie Vacation (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They were all the rage, but were quickly eclipsed by sites like Airbnb.
But as travel prices soar in the wake of the pandemic, more and more people are turning to home swaps as a way to save money while traveling while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of Airbnb).
A home swap is exactly what it sounds like. You sign up, list your home, and exchange it with someone else in another city. They remain in your place and you remain in theirs.
The largest and most popular exchange platform is HomeExchange.
And, in this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with a home exchange and help you decide if HomeExchange is right for you.
What is HomeExchange?
Founded in 1992, HomeExchange is a network that facilitates the exchange of homes with other people or families. The company actually started as a mail-order print catalog before moving online. Today, there are more than 200,000 members in more than 155 countries. It is the largest and most popular home exchange platform.
Currently, unlimited swap fees are $220 per year.
It’s also easy to use. All you have to do is set up a free account, fill out your profile (including plenty of photos and a detailed description of your home), verify your identity, and pay the fee.
Once you do this, you can start looking for networking opportunities.
You can find home exchange opportunities simply by browsing the website (there’s a handy map feature so you can see where the opportunities are) or using the website’s filters to narrow your search. You can filter by number of bedrooms, pet-friendly, accessibility, and amenities like pools.
When you find a home you’re interested in, all you need to do is get in touch via HomeExchange’s secure messaging system, express your interest, and start a conversation.
There are two types of exchanges: HomeExchange calls them “Classic Exchanges” and “Exchanges with GuestPoints”.
Classic Exchange
When you think of home exchanges, you probably think of a classic exchange: You live in someone’s home, and in exchange, they live in yours. This can happen simultaneously or at different times, but the point is that it’s mutual.
But what if you want to stay in someone’s home and they’re not interested in coming to yours? This is where GuestPoints (GP) come in.
What are guest points?
GuestPoints (GP) is HomeExchange’s points system. You’ll get $500 for signing up, and you can earn even more by hosting members at your home.
If you want to live in a place where you don’t want to do a classic exchange, you can give them a GP to stay at their home. They can then use those points to stay in other people’s homes.
The number of points required per stay varies, but generally ranges from 100-320 GP per night. This means that, with your bonus welcome points, you will be able to try the platform right away!
Is HomeExchange safe?
It may feel strange to stay in a stranger’s home. I get it. But using HomeExchange is very safe. Much like sites like Airbnb, users must verify their identity and submit proof of address and set up a profile so you can view photos of where you’ll be staying before you go.
Additionally, a $500 deposit is required when reserving a home. This means that if you accidentally damage something in the property you rent, the owner can use the deposit to recoup the cost. HomeExchange also offers up to $1,000,000 in damage coverage, which means you don’t really have to worry about damage to your home.
Additionally, HomeExchange offers a compliance guarantee, which states that if the accommodation does not meet the original home description, they will provide an alternative solution.
Best of all, if your exchange is canceled at the last minute, HomeExchange will reimburse you up to $840 per week if you can’t find a replacement.
But perhaps most importantly, every tenant on HomeExchange is also a landlord. This imbues the system with mutual respect and trust. Members treat their families the way they would like to be treated, which ensures the community remains respectful and considerate.
So, in short, this is a safe platform that you can use with confidence. They also offer 24/7 support if you have questions or encounter a problem or emergency.
What I like about HomeExchange
For me, the main attraction of using HomeExchange is that it allows you to live like a local. It’s like a cross between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Homeowners can share their favorite things to see and do, give you personalized recommendations on where to eat, and more. You get all kinds of insider tips and advice that you wouldn’t otherwise get, which I think is essential for getting off the beaten track and deepening your travels.
Another great perk is their private Facebook group. This is another great way to connect with other travelers and get travel tips and advice you won’t find anywhere else. I’m a big fan of travel Facebook groups because you really get a ton of great tips and information from them.
Additionally, if you don’t find an exchange in the first year, HomeExchange will waive the second year’s fee. This is a nice bonus that I think new members who don’t travel very often will really appreciate it.
Plus, I like to offer homes in 155 different countries and have over 200,000 members, so you really have a lot of options. There is 24/7 customer support here and if your swap gets cancelled, they will help you financially so you don’t end up in the lurch and stuck in a new city!
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Exchange
If I rent (not own) my home, can I do a home exchange?
Yes! Just check the guest policy in your rental agreement/lease. If in doubt, let your landlord know to avoid any surprises.
Can I do a home exchange if I have a pet?
Yes! Be sure to list your pet and its needs on your profile. If you have pets to stay at home, be sure to detail their needs and communicate them clearly to members who may live there. If you live with your pet but the pet travels with you, you still need to list their presence in case of allergies. If you want to travel somewhere with your pet and stay at another member’s home, you’ll need to make this clear again when arranging a potential exchange.
Can I host other people in my spare room in exchange?
Yes. Be sure to select “Private Room” rather than “Entire Unit” to indicate that this is the case for your listing. Also, communicate clearly when arranging an exchange so everyone knows what they are signing up for!
Is there a minimum night requirement for redemption?
There is no site-wide minimum stay, although you will find that many hosts do set their own minimum stays (usually 3-7 days). If you’re traveling for an exchange, you may find that you want to stay at least that long!
HomeExchange is a great platform for those who want the benefits and comforts of a private home in their local community but are on a budget. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with family. I think sharing a home creates a sense of intimacy and you might make some friends out of it. It’s like adult Couchsurfing, I made a lot of friends when I used it.
It’s a cool platform that helps you get more unique and affordable trips while also connecting you with interesting locals who can share their tips and insider advice.
Click here to learn more and sign up now!
Booking your trip: Logistical tips and tricks
Book a flight
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine because it crawls websites and airlines all over the world, so you always know no stone will be left unturned.
Book accommodation
You can book hostels through Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hotel, use Booking.com as it always offers the cheapest hotel and restaurant prices.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It provides complete protection in case any issues arise. I wouldn’t travel without it as I have used it many times in the past. My favorite companies that provide the best service and value are:
Want to travel for free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation without any additional spending. Check out my guide to choosing the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest and best deals.
Need help finding activities for your trip?
Get Your Guide is a massive online marketplace where you can find cool hikes, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guided tours, and more.
Ready to book your trip?
Check out my resources page to learn about the best companies to use when traveling. I made a list of all the tools I use when I travel. They are the best of their kind and you can’t go wrong using them on the go.