The Home Exchanger

FAQ: I've sent out several messages and I Haven't Heard Back Yet. Why?

Please don't let this discourage you. Some members just don't like to say no. So, instead, they say nothing. We encourage all members to respond to other members. But, don't let the lack of response deter you. The more messages you send, the greater your likelihood of getting a great home swap. And if you're really interested in a listing, send them another message a few days after sending the original message to reiterate your interest.

FAQ: What is a Home Exchange Agreement?

When people interested in home exchanging call Intervac, the number one question we get is: "How do I know the people I exchange with won't damage my home?".

There are a number of reasons to feel reassured:

1. Intervac has been around more than 50 years and in that period of time we have never had a major complaint of damage or theft. Why? Well, the people you exchange with have paid to join Intervac for one, and you will be staying in their home while they are in yours. It's not in their interest to damage or steal anything, because as the saying goes: you know where they live.

2. Most of our members have done home exchanges before - so ask them for references, meaning talk to other Intervac members they have home exchanges with them before. They will be able to tell you what a home exchange was like with the other member.

3. You can sign a home exchange agreement with the member you choose to swap homes with. What this means is you put into writing any house rules, restrictions you would like to impose (like phone calls), and you can even put into the agreement that if there are any damages, the party responsible should pay.  Both parties sign the agreement and it is sent to us.

How Long Does it Take to Set Up a Home Swap?

This is a common question I get as an Intervac representative. 

Here's a good example: an LA-based member joined just one week ago and already he has found his summer 2006  home swap.  The LA member is off to stay in the home (at left) of  a member in Sweden. The Swedish home, like the LA home, has a private swimming pool, but is also on the beach.  Many don't know that Sweden is a wonderful summer destination. Gothenburg was recently voted one of the best European city for culture and nightlife and Swedish weather is nicer in the summer than many places in Europe, like Great Britain.

Intervac USA in the Wall Street Journal

I was recently asked by Keith Huang at the Wall Street Journal for tips on doing home exchanges. Here's the article, which appeared on 1/23/2006:

TRAVEL: THE BASICS OF HOME EXCHANGES

HOME EXCHANGES ARE increasingly popular among travelers, offering a way to save money and live like a native. In this vacation alternative, two parties swap homes for a designated period of time at no cost to either.

Online home-exchange services are making the practice easier. About 30% to 40% of those who use such services are 55 and over, and some cater specifically to older travelers.

If you're interested but unfamiliar with home swapping, here's a sampling of frequently asked questions about it.

Q: What are some of the benefits of home swapping?

A: Perhaps the greatest draw, apart from saving money, is the opportunity to live as a local resident in a place that's completely foreign to you. Participants can introduce themselves to next-door neighbors and immerse themselves in local culture. Other benefits can include the use of household amenities, such as a washing machine (which lessens the need to pack a lot of clothes), Internet access, or the use of a full kitchen to prepare food instead of eating out.

Q: What are some of the factors to consider about home swapping?

A: One of the biggest downsides to home swapping -- besides having to thoroughly clean your own home before you leave -- is the amount of due diligence and coordination that it can take, says Jessica Jaffe, a representative for Intervac, a home-exchange service. She says most Intervac USA clients spend four to six months preparing for their swap. Also, participants should be flexible with their vacation destinations since many locations, such as Italy's Tuscany region, have seen recent demand outweigh availability. "If you're only fixated on one place, you're going to lower your chances of getting an exchange," she says.

Q: How can I guarantee that my home won't get trashed by the occupants?

A: Unfortunately, there are no guarantees -- the success of a home exchange depends largely on mutual trust. Participants should spend ample time researching a potential home swap and also communicate with a potential home swap's references: "Talk to someone who's gone through what you're about to go through," Ms. Jaffe says. But above all, before opening your home, participants should check their homeowners insurance policy to determine liability in the event of an accident.

-- Keith Huang

I would add to the last answer that in Intervac's 53 years of being in business, we have never received a serious complaint of theft or damage.  But we recommend that first-timers do ask for references if they are nervous, since most of our members have done exchanges already.

London for Texas or Louisiana Exchange Proposed

One of our most frequently asked questions is: does everyone always want to just go to NYC or California? For the record, the most popular proclaimed destinations for our Intervac members in the US are (in order):  US Northeast (NYC, Boston, etc), California, Florida and Hawaii. And these areas are where most of our US members are. But this does not mean all Intervac members want to go to these places: in fact, you may have a good shot if you are pretty different.  Here's a good example:

The owners of this home in London are looking to do an exchange in April - but only in Texas or Louisiana. The home is a pretty 4 bedroom near the tube for easy access to central London. The lively Wanstead Village is located within walking distance. The owners have done 10 home exchanges in the past, so they are very experienced. Email me if you are interested in this listing at info@intervacus.com.

Another note: many if not most of the Intervac members who specify the US don't say where they want to go in the US. This is good, because it means they are open to going anywhere within the US.

FAQ: Why Do You Publish Catalogues?

October 15th is the deadline to be included in Intervac's biggest catalogue of the year. The December catalogue is for people who want to swap their homes mostly in the Spring or Summer of next year. I have been absolutely swamped taking orders and getting the US portion of the catalogue ready for production.

Why do we still publish catalogues? I hear you web-savvy folks saying. Many of our members are still not very comfortable using the Internet. Still more prefer the convenience of thumbing through our book and looking at all the listings at once.

Another question we get asked a lot is whether our Web members are included in the catalogue. The answer is yes, as long as you join before October 15th.

FAQ: Who Came Up With the Idea of Home Exchanging?

This is a common question about home swapping: Who invented it and why?

During the early 1950s, teachers unions in Europe began contacting each other, looking for ways to improve school conditions.

Some teachers had realized that they could enjoy the long summer holidays  if they could find a more economic way of traveling to other countries.  The idea of home swapping was born in this realization. By trading homes, teachers would not have any hotel costs and could live in another home with just the normal costs of living. It would also provide the opportunity to live in a normal neighborhood and not only in the developed tourist areas. This would provide the opportunity to learn about local culture, customs, and to get to know the people.   

In 1953 the leaders of the Swiss and Dutch Teacher Unions decided that a home exchange system for holidays should be formally organized. This organization became Intervac, which now has about 10,000 members worldwide and accepts members of all professions (retired people included).

New Feature: FAQs Answered

On the right-hand side of our blog we have added a feature called "Home Swap Basics". Double click on the photos of me to hear answers to our most frequently asked questions:

- What is a home exchange?
- What is Intervac?
- What are the advantages of doing a home exchange?
- How do I know my home won't be damaged doing a home swap?
- How do I set up a home exchange?

I hope this feature helps you to understand home swapping better.

FAQ: Can I Swap My Vacation Home?

A number of prospective Intervac members lately have been asking whether they can list their vacation home instead of their primary residence.

The answer is yes.  In fact, many of our members list their vacation homes, like this vacation home located in the Hamptons.

The advantages of swapping a vacation home are:

1. Flexibility: you don't live in your vacation home most of the year, so you can do non-simaltaneous exchanges, giving you a greater chance to find your dream swap.
2. Vacation homes are often in highly desirable areas, so that will also increase your chances of  getting offers where you want to go.
3. Your home is put to good use, instead of standing empty.
4. You can also list your vacation home for rent, if so desired.

FAQ: Does it Matter Where You Live?

A prospective Intervac member called today and asked the following question:

"Do you have to live in top tourist spots like NYC, Florida or California to get a home exchange?"

The answer is no. Living in a destination that is a big draw does help you - you'll get more offers and the chances of getting your dream home swap improve. But our members worldwide may want to go elsewhere.

For example:

The owners of this home in the heart of the Canadian city of Ottawa want to trade homes with Intervac members in Texas.

The owners of this home in Krakow, Poland - a beautiful and historic city - want to swap homes with a member in Chicago.

The owners of this five bedroom contemporary home in Boston also want to trade with members in the Chicago area.

Finally, members who live in a large Stockholm flat are looking to go to Alabama or Mississipi this summer.

One last note: most of our international members like to keep their options open when it comes to the US, and most do not specify where they want to go. Translation: you might be able to tempt members in the fabulous Parisian flat to come to your home in Illinois.