The ultimate guide to house swapping
Editor’s note: At TPG, we paused traveling to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Local and federal governments around the globe are now debating the appropriate levels of isolation and distancing. Before booking that next trip, we recommend you talk to your doctor, follow health officials’ guidance and research local travel restrictions. TPG is continuing to publish deals, reviews and general travel news to inform and prepare you for that trip, whether it is next month or next year.
Have you ever fantasized about trading lives with someone from a far-flung land, handing over your house keys and spending your days drinking rosé from the balcony of an apartment in Le Marais?
Well, you’re not alone. House swap companies have hundreds of thousands of members all around the world, each looking to trade lives — if only for a week or two. Play your cards right and you could have a great vacation for a fraction of the price, without leaving your house empty while you’re away.
And though we cannot travel at the moment for the most part due to the coronavirus pandemic, house swapping could be a fun, safe yet unique way to holiday in the future, as you can social distance more effectively by avoiding crowded hotels and restaurants.
So if you’ve ever thought about a house swap holiday, here’s everything you need to know.
Choose the right company
There are plenty of different house swap companies to choose from, where you can browse potential homes, get in touch with other members and make all your arrangements. You’re far better off organizing a swap through a reputable company -- while most properties aren’t vetted, it’s far more secure to go through a proper system.
All of these organizations charge a membership fee, and most have a free-trial period so you can suss out the kind of places that are available before you commit.
HomeExchange charges $150 a year and has over 400,000 listings in 187 countries around the world. (Fun fact: This is the actual site used in the famous house-swap movie "The Holiday" and yes, they do see a spike in site traffic and memberships every Christmas.)
Another option with over 400,000 members in over 186 countries is Holiday Swap. Swaps can be done for just $1.
Some only allow for traditional swaps. For example, you stay in each other’s homes at the same time. Others facilitate a nonreciprocal exchange -- HomeExchange has a GuestPoints system for those who wish to travel at different times. In this case, the host gets points that they can use in the future at another property — they’ll just stay somewhere else while their guests are visiting.
Be realistic, be honest
If you own a wisteria-covered town house in London's upmarket Notting Hill, you’ll likely have your pick of house swaps all around the world. But if you live in a dodgy studio in the suburbs, the owners of that beach house in Malibu probably won’t return your emails.
That said, there’s a plug for every socket. A lot of people are on the lookout for houses in quaint country villages, with just a pub and a church for entertainment. You might take your hometown for granted, but one man’s sleepy suburb is another’s dream getaway.
Read more: 9 ways coronavirus could forever change the future of travel
It’s important to be brutally honest when describing your property, a fact that’s emphasized by Caroline Connolly, the owner of UK-based Home-Link.
“You should present your home in an informative and appealing way," Connolly said. “Add plenty of information about your home, your neighborhood and include attractions that can be reached within a day trip. Sunny photos are really important to show off what you have to offer."
Be flexible
Be flexible with your plans and you might discover a gorgeous little house in a place you’d never have dreamed of visiting otherwise, such as a converted chapel in England, or a treetop paradise in Colombia.
“One of the amazing things about home swapping is the serendipity of the travel experiences you find,” said Célia Pronto, managing director of Love Home Swap.
“Often our Love Home Swap members join the platform with a specific destination in mind, but end up booking swaps in amazing destinations they had never considered before," Pronto said.
Send out lots of messages and see who takes a nibble.
Agree on all the facts beforehand
Once you’ve found your dream swap and got your dates sorted, it’s time to get in touch with the owners. There’s rarely a template for this, so the two owners can hash out all the details of their respective stays privately.
Will you ask someone to water the plants or feed the cat? Do you have to put the trash out on a certain day? Are you happy for someone to borrow your bikes? Do you need to wash the bedding before you leave or will you both get cleaners? Discuss all of these details long before you hop on a plane and everyone will be much happier in the long run.
Check your insurance
Most of the time, as no money is changing hands, your home insurance won’t be affected. But always check in advance just in case. If you’re going to be swapping cars, as some people choose to do, you’ll need to add their details to your policy.
Most house swap companies don’t offer any kind of protection (and it’s worth bearing in mind that properties are rarely vetted) but some, like HomeExchange, have a peace of mind guarantee, which includes coverage of up to $1 million in case of unexpected events, such as damage or nonconformity. Most sites allow for some form of feedback too, so you can see reviews from previous guests.
Be cool, guys
Your mom probably told you to always treat others as you wish to be treated. And that’s even more applicable when it comes to house swaps. Leave your guests a nice bottle of wine, stock the place with toilet paper and make a bit of space for them. You don’t need to empty your closets, but make a little room so people can hang up their clothes or unpack a little. You don’t want them to live out of a suitcase for a week.
Related: 7 far-flung and obscure spots to add to your bucket list
Think about what you don’t want them to touch, too. Do you have a nice bottle of 16-year-old single malt that you’re saving for a special occasion? Lock that away, lest your guests mix it with coke during happy hour. And if you have anything lying around you wouldn’t want your granny to see, make sure it’s safely tucked behind a locked door.
Think clean
Obviously, you’ll want to give your house a good scrub before anyone arrives. That means the things you usually put off, too -- tackle the dust bunnies under the bed, give the sofa a good vacuum and bleach the bathroom to within an inch of its life.
Some properties choose to reciprocally hire a professional cleaner for their respective homes before the other arrives, which is a nice guarantee that you’ll both be arriving at the same level of cleanliness. It might be something you want to do at the end of a stay, too.
Don’t forget to put out fresh cleaning supplies for your guests, like new sponges and cloths, clean tea towels and full bottles of washing up liquid and antibacterial spray. Make up the beds with clean, fresh bedding and leave plenty of towels.
Think about your home’s quirks
Do you have to give any houseguest a 10-minute list of instructions when they’re about to take a shower? Then get ready to write it all down. Think about any weird little quirks your house has and put them all in one handy document, preferably sending it on to your guests beforehand (a front door that sticks will be no fun after a long flight).
Create a welcome document with everything they could possibly need. How to work the hot water, where to get the best pastries, how to turn the heating on -- everything.
Bottom line
Embrace it. The joy of house swapping is that it’s nothing like the traditional hotel experience. You get to effectively step into another person’s shoes and live their life for a few days. You might be a bit nervous about handing over the keys to your place to strangers — and vice versa staying in a strange house -- but follow this guide and you can unlock a whole new travel experience.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.