Grab The Family and Do A Home Exchange!
Have you ever wanted to get away with the family but didn’t think you could afford hotels? Do you have an interest in seeing Europe but know the exchange rate for the Euro isn’t in your favor? Do you want to take the kids to Disney World or Hawaii but don’t want to be cramped in a hotel room?
There is an alternative that can save you thousands of dollars, especially if you live in or near a big city or tourist area. (in fact, I am getting excited writing this post because researching this has given me the travel bug) Try a home exchange!
In the majority of cases, you, and the family that you choose to exchange with, trade cars during the time period. This adds up to big savings in car rental fees, as well.
Even if you do live in a remote area, according to Home Exchange, don’t despair! See what they have to say on the subject:
Of course, if you have a beach front home in Hawaii or a penthouse with a view in New York, or San Francisco, you’re going to get a lot of exchange inquiries.
But we have found that by their very nature, people who are HomeExchange Members are well traveled and are often interested in seeing new places, and experiencing an area as a local.
A potential home exchange partner may wish to be near a loved one or family member, or perhaps need to come to your area for business reasons. So your “average” home may be just the ticket for someone wanting to exchange with you.
If you are a little off the beaten track, you may have to send out more inquiries, and put a little more effort into marketing your home, neighborhood and area. But if you do so, you might be surprised, although we won’t be.
Think you’ll end up in a shack? Think again:
Here is the gorgeous house in California at the top of the post:
Here is another great home in Italy:
How about West Palm Beach?:
Two of the largest home exchange websites to try out are Home Link and Home Exchange.
Happy Hunting!
vacation home exchange, home exchange, vacation bargains, cheap vacations, family vacations, budget vacations, european vacations, traveling with children, traveling with kids
October 25th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
what a great idea. i have a nice home in a nice neighhborhood in oakland (across the bridge from SF where most tourists visit). i may have to do check this out! thanks1
October 25th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
My sister and her husband have done a house swap twice - both times in France. It’s a great way to travel more affordably.
October 25th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
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