Home Swap = Family Fun
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What is home exchange?
Sometime home exchange is also referenced as home swap, home trading or hospitality exchange.
Regardless of what you call it the concept is simple. You will live in one family's home while they live in your
home. You literally switch homes with the other family.
Some families will even exchange travel trailer, RVs, boats, timeshares or a second home in addition or in lieu
of their primary residence. This opens up many more opportunities for your family.
You and the exchange family will "negotiate" the terms of the exchange. Items that should be resolved prior to
agreement is, length of stay, when the stay should take place, special considerations (mail, pets, smoking),
house rules, etc..
Families home exchange for many different reason. The most obvious is the savings by not having to pay for a
hotel. Many with larger families need the extra room only a home can provide.
Some families may have members that need special dietary needs and are unable to eat out or just like
keeping their standard food budget. Most exchanges will have a full kitchen available for you to use. Most
families will allow you to use basics (oil, spices, sugar) that are already in the pantry.
Another advantage is your home will not be left vacant during your travels. Any police officer will tell you a
occupied home will be more secure than a home that isn't occupied. I know prior to home exchange we would
pay for lodging PLUS pay for someone to come take care of our home while we are gone. Double whammy!
Now with home exchange, we do neither.
Home exchanges are typically arranged a few months in advance, so there is plenty of time to get to know your
exchange family. We have gained many friends over the years and we all talk about a return trip.
Some families just like the interaction of getting to know another family and sharing their town or city with the
exchanging family. We've been greeted inside another families homes with a collection of local recipes to try, a
gift basket, a gift certificate to a local cafe, and one family had their dining table covered with brochures, books
and directions to the best playgrounds. Everywhere we went, there was always a small surprise, whether made
by the family or something thoughtfully put together.
Sometime home exchange is also referenced as home swap, home trading or hospitality exchange.
Regardless of what you call it the concept is simple. You will live in one family's home while they live in your
home. You literally switch homes with the other family.
Some families will even exchange travel trailer, RVs, boats, timeshares or a second home in addition or in lieu
of their primary residence. This opens up many more opportunities for your family.
You and the exchange family will "negotiate" the terms of the exchange. Items that should be resolved prior to
agreement is, length of stay, when the stay should take place, special considerations (mail, pets, smoking),
house rules, etc..
Families home exchange for many different reason. The most obvious is the savings by not having to pay for a
hotel. Many with larger families need the extra room only a home can provide.
Some families may have members that need special dietary needs and are unable to eat out or just like
keeping their standard food budget. Most exchanges will have a full kitchen available for you to use. Most
families will allow you to use basics (oil, spices, sugar) that are already in the pantry.
Another advantage is your home will not be left vacant during your travels. Any police officer will tell you a
occupied home will be more secure than a home that isn't occupied. I know prior to home exchange we would
pay for lodging PLUS pay for someone to come take care of our home while we are gone. Double whammy!
Now with home exchange, we do neither.
Home exchanges are typically arranged a few months in advance, so there is plenty of time to get to know your
exchange family. We have gained many friends over the years and we all talk about a return trip.
Some families just like the interaction of getting to know another family and sharing their town or city with the
exchanging family. We've been greeted inside another families homes with a collection of local recipes to try, a
gift basket, a gift certificate to a local cafe, and one family had their dining table covered with brochures, books
and directions to the best playgrounds. Everywhere we went, there was always a small surprise, whether made
by the family or something thoughtfully put together.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| H.E.L.M. Travel Home Exchange & Family Hosting Service |