The Home Exchanger

FAQ: What Exactly is a Home Exchange?

I had this question today from a prospective member.

A home exchange (or home swap) is when two sets of people stay in each other's homes, usually during the same period of time. For example, you are a family living in a Chicago home and you exchange with a couple who live in a Paris apartment.  You stay in the Paris apartment and while you are there, the Paris couple live in your home.

Less common is a non-simaltaneous exchange. This is when two sets of people decide to exchange homes, but not at the same time.

Last Minute Home Exchange: St. Malo French Cottage

The owners of this home in Brittany, France are looking to travel for a month at the end of June. Their home is located in beautiful St. Malo, the seaside city known for its ramparts and monuments and is just a short drive away from the spectacular Mont St. Michele.  St. Malo is near Normandy, with its WWII battlefields and museums, striking scenary and Calvados apple brandy.

We had a wonderful trip to Normandy and Brittany about three years ago. Driving up to Mont St. Michele and gradually seeing its towers materialize is an experience I won't soon forget. It appears to be sitting on thin air, like some medievel mirage. Brittany is also famous for its delicious galettes,  perhaps the world's best crepes.

The French members are open to all destinations.

Home Exchange Tip: How Do I Get My Home Ready?

Today I received a question from members getting ready for their first home swap. The family wanted to know how to prepare their home for their home exchange partner.

We recommend you do the following:

• Make sure your home is clean and ready for your guests: beds made with new linen, clean towels available for your guests
• Clear out space in your closets and drawers for your guests to use
• Leave a list of important numbers in case of emergencies: plumbers, electricians, and the number of a close friend or family member who can help out if need be
• Store elsewhere any valuables if you feel uncomfortable leaving them at home

For more tips, click here.

New Home Exchange Listing: Belize Beach House

The members who own this property, a beach house right on the barrier reef on the grounds of a former coconut plantation in Belize, are looking for a home swap in July.  The home has a prviate beach and pool and is a luxurious retreat to enjoy the sun and sand of the Carribean.

Belize is known for its spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving. Many archaeological digs have taken place here as well - lots of Mayan ruins to see. The owners are open to a house exchange in all countries. Good luck, members!

New Home Exchange Listing: Carribean Beach House

This incredible Carribean villa is available for home exchange. The owners are looking to do a home swap in many areas in the US, including the Hamptons. The villa has 4 bedrooms and overlooks the sea. The beach is a short walk away.

The home is located in St. Martin, which was partitioned between the French and the Dutch 350 years ago. This unique history gives St. Martin an interational flavor - delicious croissants and Gouda can both be found on the island. The daily temperature averages 80 degrees.

New Home Exchange Listing: French Riveria for Connecticut

Just in time for the Cannes Film Festival...the owners of this large Cannes flat, with a terrace view of the Palais des Festivals and the Mediterranean, are looking to exchange with members in Connecticut.

If you are looking to go to the Cannes Film Festival or just visit this famed city of the French Riveria, and you live in Connecticut, this could work well for you.

FAQ: How Do I Know What Properties Are Available for Home Exchange?

This is a very common question we get from people who are considering home exchanging. Luckily, there is an easy way to preview our database of properties available for home swapping before joining.

Go to: www.intervac.com (or click here). Click on "Preview our Database" (on the left hand side of the page). Next, choose the county/countries you want to search. Voila - pages will come up showing homes available for exchange.

Please note: you will not be able to contact the owners of the properties unless you join Intervac (you must be a US resident to join us - otherwise go to www.intervac.com and click on join).

Happy searching!

New Home Exchange Listing: English Castle

This is one of the more impressive properties I have ever seen on our service - and Intervac has quite a few stand-out homes.

This Victorian mansion/castle is located in the North of England - very near Newcastle and a short drive away from Scotland. The owners have done 4 exchanges previously and are looking to go to the US Northeast, among other destinations.  The stately home is located on beautiful, extensive grounds and has 5 bedrooms.

Why Tuscany?

We have received a number of calls recently from potential home exchangers saying they ONLY want to join if they can go to Tuscany.

We really want to know why this is where so many of our customers want to go.  Honestly.

There are many, many wonderful locations where Intervac ALSO has home swappers:  Swiss lakehouses, Provencial summer homes,  Amsterdam canal homes, Parisian pied-a-terres, Carribean beach houses, even English castles. Why, oh why, is Tuscany the top destination?

We have been to Tuscany. It is one of our least favorite places. Too many tourists, traffic and super high prices. Are we missing something?!?

At left: remember that Seinfeld episode where everyone wanted to stay in a Tuscan villa? Things haven't changed...

Last Minute Exchange: Amsterdam Canal Loft

Do you live in the New York City area and are looking to travel late April/early May? If so, the owners of a loft in a canal home in the trendy Jordaan district of Amsterdam are looking to do an exchange between April 30 and May 18th.

Last minute airfares can be very low from NYC to Europe  (anytime before June anyway). ..