Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a
different life? To live in a different place, experience new things, and leave
your life behind for a little while? If so, then a home exchange may be just
the vacation for you.
As the name suggests, a home exchange involves literally
swapping homes with someone else. You move into another person’s home for a
period of time, while giving up yours. This approach to a vacation is quite a
bit different than staying in a hotel. With this option, you get the chance to
really acclimate to a culture and experience a different lifestyle. Plus,
you’re able to spread out and really enjoy some space; which is a lot better
than staying in a stuffy hotel room.
 |
Image Courtesy of Shutterstock
|
If you have never done a home exchange before, you may be
wondering what the process entails. How do you go about finding a home to stay
in? What is involved? To be honest, the process of locating a house to trade
with is a lot like buying your own home. Though you may not be buying the house
indefinitely, you will be buying it for the period of your vacation and you
want to make sure that it is the right one.
Do your research.
The very first thing to do is research. Decide where it is that
you want to visit, and then begin looking for homes that you could exchange
with. Travel agents that specialize in home exchanges are always available if
you feel a little lost just starting out, or there is always the ‘do it
yourself’ route, allowing you to look for other people in the area you want to
visit who are also interested in a house swap.
While doing your research, make sure that you investigate the
background of the people you are potentially going to swap with. You don’t want
to enter into a home exchange with people you feel uncomfortable with.
 |
| Image Courtesy of Shutterstock |
Be open minded.
It is important to realize that the place you are going to be
visiting and the home you’ll be staying in may be quite different than what you
are used to in your own home. Living arrangements and customs may be different,
and that’s okay!
Don’t shut down and automatically think that you are going to
have a bad time because the accommodations aren’t exactly how you expected. Be
open minded and willing to accept those differences. After all, that is part of
the appeal of a home exchange.
Be mindful.
Remember that you are going to be staying in someone else’s
home, so treat their home how you would want yours to be treated. Clean up
after yourself, leave things as you found them, and be respectful. When you
make a bad name for yourself by disrespecting the home you’re visiting, this
knowledge is easily spreadable through online reviews and shared forums.
Have a chat.
Or a few. Really get to know the people you’ll be entering the
exchange with before you actually make the swap. Having a dialogue with the
exchangers allows you to gain a better understanding of one another, and also
helps you develop an appreciation for each other.
Although not as overwhelming as looking for
a home you plan to buy, home exchanges are still a new, and
potentially anxiety-inducing, experience. However, choose to look at it as an
exciting adventure, and you’ll be surprised at how fun the swap really is.
Preparing yourself for the exchange and knowing what to expect will allow you
to get the most out of this fantastic opportunity.
______________________________________________________________________________
About The Author
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer in Southern
California. She loves to travel with her family and finds the idea of a home
exchange intriguing and very exciting! Follow her on Twitter
for more.
______________________________________________________________________________
