6 things you need to know about home swapping

Home swapping is not right for everyone

How do you feel about allowing folks you've never actually met into your home? Although most experts agree that arranging a swap through a reputable home-exchange program is pretty safe (we'll talk more about security matters later on), it's important to assess your own comfort level before you jump into the situation headfirst.

It's not exactly free

Some home-exchange sites are free; most aren't. The majority of home-exchange programs—especially the more reputable ones—charge users a membership fee to list and search for homes and get in contact with members. But in our platform you don’t need to pay any fee in order to list your items.

There's more than one way to do a home swap

The three main types of home exchanges are as follows: You can stay in your exchange-partner's home while they stay in yours (a "simultaneous exchange"). You can stay at a home-swapper's second home or vacation home (a "non-simultaneous exchange"). Or you can stay as a guest in a swapper's abode while they're also in the house (a "hospitality exchange").

Be clear about your expectations

One of the best ways to alleviate first-time home-swapping jitters is to get to know your exchange partners really well. Likewise, before you make the swap, consider all the necessary details that may arise during the process.

It's not just for homeowners

Renters can participate in home exchanges too. And various forms of ownership, like co-ops or condos, work also, as long as you've cleared the exchange with the necessary parties. Check with your landlord or co-op board, or read your lease to see if you're permitted to rent your place out to strangers, which in most cases constitutes a temporary sublet.

You can swap cars, too

People who live in major cities with extensive public transportation may not even have cars. But swapping cars, which provides cost savings to those who would otherwise need to rent a vehicle, is common in the home-exchange community.