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Why should I choose ExchangeHomes.Com?
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With home exchange sites springing up like weeds on the web, someone new
to this kind of vacationing needs guidance on how to select the right one.
Your vacation is very important to you, so protect yourself and list your
exchange with a company with a verifiable track record. Remember, for every
company opening on the Internet, another one disappears!
Narrow down your selections by testing the level of Customer Service they
offer. Some sites offer virtually no contact information, so how available
might they be when you need specific questions answered or a problem resolved
at short notice?
ExchangeHomes.com is staffed by friendly, competent people who really care.
We are "Vacation Home Exchange Specialists" since 1986, a rare long-term survivor
in the Internet business. We don't hide behind an anonymous web or email address.
We publish our street address and phone numbers, including our toll-free support
line in the USA and Canada: 1-877-256-3323.
Because of their limited memberships, many "start-up" organizations resort to
listing memberships indefinitely as a means of padding their databases.
ExchangeHomes.Com clearly displays each member's expiration date so
you know listings are not old and outdated. Each listing published is from a
member actively seeking an exchange!
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Why can't I contact members without joining myself?
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An "open" or "free" system unfortunately tends to attract people who are not sufficiently motivated to spend the time
and dedication that's necessary to arrange a home exchange that's problem free. ExchangeHomes.com members have indicated
that they wish to be contacted by others who, by paying a small membership fee and including their own exchange offers
on the web site, have demonstrated a genuine interest in arranging a home exchange. Members also find it very reassuring
to be able to view all exchange listings in full on the website before responding to offers they receive.
We realize that you will find other companies online that make no charge, but you should exercise extreme caution. Will you
really feel comfortable entrusting your home to people who aren’t prepared to make even a minimal financial commitment?
Remember, a paid membership authenticates the personal information (name, address, etc.) provided by that person. On a free
site a member is "free" to provide totally bogus information.
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How much does the service cost?
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We offer multiple Membership choices:
Click Here for more information about Multi-Club Memberships.
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Once I've joined and paid my membership fee are there any further charges?
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No. Your membership fee entitles you to unrestricted access to our secure, privacy protected members' area and database for
one year. During that time you can edit/update you own listing and photographs as often as you wish. You can also arrange an
unlimited number of exchanges. Some members arrange short breaks close to home in addition to longer vacations abroad. A lot
of members are able to set up exchanges for the year ahead as well.
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Will my name, address, phone number and email address be published on the Internet?
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Absolutely not; we are as concerned about your privacy as you are. ExchangeHomes.com does not reveal your name, street address,
phone number, or email address in your listing, or make them available over the World Wide Web. Our sophisticated programming
hides your personal contact information yet makes it possible for fellow members to contact you directly from your listing 24/7.
Any personal information you provide is for our records only. See our Privacy Policy
for complete reassurance.
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I would prefer not to pay by credit card on the Internet. Is there another way?
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Certainly. In addition to secure credit card payments, we also offer PayPal. Or, just contact us by email or phone and we will be
happy to discuss other payment options. However, all payments must be in US dollars and drawn on a US bank.
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How up to date are your listings? This is important to know.
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All our listings are available on our website for the length of membership selected and paid for at registration. Our programming
automatically hides any listing that hasn't been renewed accordingly. ALL listings are very clearly labeled with both their Join Dates
and Expiration dates. Before joining, visitors are able to search all our listings and see who has joined most recently
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How many exchange offers are available?
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Browse our listings by continent / world area and country to see the number of current listings in the countries you are interested in.
Looking only at the total overall number of listings is, however, not the best way to determine how likely you are to arrange an exchange.
Considering the balance of offers in each country with the numbers of destination requests and how long listings are kept in circulation are
both equally as important as total number of listings. Being based in the USA, and with alliances and associate agencies in other, highly
sought after countries, ExchangeHomes.Com is very fortunate in attracting a diversity of members both from the USA and all around the world.
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How can I be sure my home will be safe?
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This is our number one question, and an honest answer is that you cannot.
However, over the years (since 1986 to be exact), we have received very few
reports of damage, and NEVER a report of theft. Remember, you will be
living in your exchange partner's home as well, and their concerns are very
similar to your own. But in our experience, homes are invariably left exactly
as they were found. Having someone in your home at the same time as you are in
theirs gives each of you a great incentive to treat the home entrusted to you
with great respect and care.
We advise that you make every possible effort to quickly get to know your exchange
partners by email, instant messaging, telephone and snail mail. Many people exchange photographs
and videos of their home, family and location before they make final arrangements.
A home exchange is built entirely upon trust, and a mutual respect for each other's
property. This alone is what makes home exchange possible and almost always highly successful!
Some exchangers arrange an overlap so that they have the chance to meet at the
beginning of their vacation.
Take care to follow the guidelines we lay out for you in our Hints and Advice Book and your home is likely
to be much safer than if left empty while you are away.
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How Do I Arrange An Exchange?
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Look for listings in the areas you have selected as desired destinations.
Or you may see an interesting listing in an area you hadn't considered.
Preferred destinations and available dates of members are indicated in all the
listings to help narrow the possibilities.
To give yourself the best opportunity for a successful exchange, contact a
number of possible exchange partners, expressing interest in a trade and
describing your home, area, family, and preferred dates.
Meanwhile, you will probably be getting inquiries from your listing (it's so
nice to get mail from so many wonderful places around the world!), offering
even more choices. From these initial contacts, select those that are the most
interesting. Continued correspondence with those potential exchange partners
can lead to that special vacation home of your dreams.
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Who pays the bills?
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Pay all mortgage and utility bills as you normally would, and agree in
advance who should pay the phone bills—each exchange party normally pays for
their own telephone calls. The home owner continues to pay for any regular
cleaning help, gardeners, pool service etc. However, if the exchange party
hires a maid, etc., payment is their responsibility.
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Will my home owner's insurance remain in force?
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Usually home owner's insurance remains in force to cover guests in your
home, and because no financial transaction is involved, your exchange partners
are your guests, not renters. Sometimes there is a limit of 30 days, but this is the only
restriction we have come across. Actually, insurance companies admit that they
prefer you to leave your home occupied by guests rather unoccupied - it's safer!
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Should we exchange official contracts?
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Legally drawn up contracts are not necessary. However an exchange
agreement, a sample of which is included in our Our Hints and Advice Book
can establish responsibilities, limitations, and how to deal with unexpected problems, etc. It can also be reassuring
to obtain references from your potential exchange partners, and if they have exchanged before, the best references come
from their previous exchange partners.
With our upgraded web site we are also providing members with the opportunity to leave detailed "Feedback" on their exchange
partners. Feedback (if received) will display when the full page display is selected for each listing.
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What if my exchange partner cancels at the last minute?
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Once you are sure your arrangements have been finalized, book your
tickets (airline, etc.). Make copies of these tickets and send them to your
exchange partner. Once significant amounts of money have been invested, it is
extremely unlikely that either side will cancel.
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What about damage to my home or property?
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The responsibility lies with whomever caused the damage to either pay to
have it repaired, or to reimburse you.
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Will my auto insurance cover my exchange partner?
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Auto insurance normally remains in force for 30 days, covering anyone
driving with your permission. However, check with your agent. If it makes you
more comfortable, do not hesitate to set up restrictions i.e. restrict drivers
to those aged 25+, indicate the maximum amount of miles to be driven during
the period of the exchange, and make it clear if you do not wish your car to
be driven out of state. Definitely stipulate that you do not want your car
driven into Mexico because only insurance written by a Mexican company is
valid once the car crosses the border.
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What about my pets?
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For a lot of families, looking after their exchange partner's pets is a
task they enjoy. However, NEVER impose your pets upon a family which clearly
does not want the responsibility. Many exchangers will use your home as a base
for daily sightseeing trips and will not want to be tied down by pet care.
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If we exchange cars, how do I get from the airport to my exchange home
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A common arrangement is for both parties to arrange for a friend or
another family member to meet the exchange family at the airport and drive
them to the exchange address. If this is not possible, send them very clear
instructions as to what public transport they should take. Then maybe a friend
could pick them up from the train station or bus terminal close to your home.
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My home is very modest; can I expect to get an exchange?
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Yes. Be completely honest in the description of your home and its
amenities. Stress all the advantages (every home has some!) You will be
surprised to find that many people will be willing to exchange their much
grander residence just for the privilege and convenience of not having to stay
in a hotel.
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I live in rented accommodation; can I make a home exchange?
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Yes. However, to protect yourself and your exchange partner, you MUST make your
landlord aware of your plans before you commit yourself to any exchange arrangement.
It would probably be a good idea to put something in writing and have your landlord
acknowledge that he is aware of your plans and has no objection to them.
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I don't live in a recognized tourist area. Why would anyone exchange with me?
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Although members are at an advantage if they live in popular tourist locations, we find that many
members actively want to avoid tourist areas. Look at your local attractions from a visitor's point
of view and provide potential exchange partners with lots of information. Include distances to
surrounding cities, airports and well known attractions. A lot of people use their exchange home as
a base for their vacation, large enough to accommodate their family comfortably, and are quite prepared
to take day trips. Just be honest in your description.
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How Do I Help Prevent A Mismatch?
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There is enough information in the listings to weed out some obvious mismatches. For example, an exchange family with
four children may not be ideal for your antique-filled home. Or your family of five may not be appropriate for a trade
with a studio apartment in New York City.
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How Do I Finalize Arrangements?
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After agreeing to a trade, you and your trade partner may exchange calls and letters finalizing dates and details
about cars, responsibilities and other pertinent items. Our Hints andBook
includes sample letters, sample agreements, and more complete suggestions about what to discuss with your partner.
Good communication will lead to a satisfying, successful exchange!
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Will my exchange offer be available only to other Internet users?
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Yes. After printing directories continually for 18 years we ceased to do so at the end of the year 2001. As the year progressed and
the 3 different issues were published and distributed, we received more and more complaints that the recipiants were unable to locate
any listings that hadn't already arranged an exchange. For them it was an unfortunate fact of life that the Internet had made them
redundant! It was a difficult decision to make, but it was not fair to take their membership money any longer, and as it happened,
most directory members, when approached said they could find means of accessing the Internet and chose to continue their memberships
that way.
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What help will you give me in arranging an exchange?
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ExchangeHomes.Com prides itself in having the reputation as being the 'Club with the BEST customer service'. We offer a personal
service and we're always just an email or phone call away with knowledgeable, experience help and advice. However, by necessity,
home exchange is a do-it-yourself vacation because it's vital that you get to know your exchange partners so that you will feel
comfortable having them in your home. Our <>Our Hints and Advice Book also gives you in depth
guidelines that walk you through the entire process.
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Can I list a home that is for rental only?
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No. Absolutry not. ExchangeHomes.Com is a HOME EXCHANGE organization. All properties listed with us must offer Home Exchange
as the primary alternative. However, we do understand that many members do use a second or vacation home as their exchange property
and provided that home exchange is their first alternative, they can list rental as a second option. Specific reference to rental
charges etc., are not allowed. This information can be conveyed to interested parties after they initiate inquiries. Any listing
that is reported to be soliciting for rental will be removed and no fees refunded.
Don't place links to rental web sites or web pages itemizing rental charges in your listing. They will be removed.
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Can I provide details of multiple homes in one paid listing?
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No. There is little point because no-one searching for a specific location will find it. Each listing allows you the ability to set up its
location by very specific search criteria which can only be relevant to that one listing. The cost to set up an additional home is just $15/year
and when either listing is displayed in a full page view, your additional home(s) appear immediately below. Also, each will be able to be searched
for in its own right.
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Can I display a link to my own website in my listing?
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Yes - there is a text box where you can enter a link to your own website. Our only provision is that the link you enter goes ONLY to a
personal website that you have developed to better illustrate your home exchange listing. We do not publish and promote commercial websites,
including those advertising vacation rental properties.
If your personal website includes your personal contact information, it is accepted that by adding it to your listing, you are waiving our
commitment that ExchangeHomes.com does not publish your name, street address or email address in your listing, or make them available over
the World Wide Web.
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Do You Have More Questions?
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Answers to these questions, and more, are provided in Our Members' Hints & Advice Book which was mailed in a printed format to our Directory Members, which is online for all to read, members and visitors alike. It can be accessed here, or from our Home Page.
Exchanging homes - and cars - is, without a doubt, an act based entirely upon trust. In all our years of experience, members always act very responsibly and treat their exchange partner's home with immense care and respect.
We want you to always feel free to contact ExchangeHomes.Com either by email or phone; we're always happy to help! If you phone outside office hours (US Pacific), just leave a message, preferably with your email address, and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
