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These are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Home and Hospitality Exchange programs. If we fail to answer your question, Please don't hesitate to use the Contact us form for further information. We are hear to help you plan many exciting trips.
What Is Home Exchange |
Who are home exchange participants
What Is Home Exchange ? Picture this. Imagine that you have always dreamed about visiting Amsterdam, but couldn't afford that trip to Holland: after all, you aren't alone any more. So the hotel, restaurant and car rental costs are just not in line with your budget. After the White Party expenses you incurred for you best friends anniversary. Now imagine that in Amsterdam lives a couple with exactly the same wishes and concerns, and who'd love the summer heat of Florida. They want to experience Pride in Fort Lauderdale. That's where One World One Family Home Exchange goes to work. The two exchangers agree upon a house trade, and while you live in your partner's flat in Amsterdam, the Dutch boys take care of your own home. With all the benefits and comfort of having a real "home" plenty of space, no living "out of the suitcases", your own car, and last but not least at no extra charge but the travel expenses.
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Exchangers are well-educated people with interest in broadening their horizons. They are families, singles, active retirees and professionals such as physicians, teachers, engineers and accountants. Many are experienced exchangers with brilliant reports and testimonials from their previous exchange hosts around the world. What Is Hospitality Exchange ? This works the same as a Home Exchange, only the exchange partners stay in their home and provide you with lodging at no charge. In return you agree to host when they visit you at a later date. Can You Make More Than One Exchange Per Year ? You can make as many exchanges as possible during that year. Don't you ever stay home? Is It Safe To Leave My Home To Strangers ? People tend to take better care of things when they are not theirs. Most home exchangers are professional people like yourself. You yourself choose who you want to exchange homes with based upon pictures, similar criteria and correspondence with the person. Being a guest in each other's home creates a very special bond of trust. We recommend what we call the "Friend to Friend " program whereby your friend or neighbor hands the keys to your exchange partners and shows them around upon their arrival. The majority of members who join home exchanges are professional people, who have worked very hard to achieve a good standard of living. Many of them have a family and live the same way than you do. These people like to travel, are open-minded and respectful of someone else belongings. This is why they are exchanging homes. The traditional hotel or holidays package is not their favorite piece of cake, and they prefer the home comforts which are available when swapping with people alike. Is It Safe To Put My Picture And That Of My Home On The Internet ? Yes, because we do not provide anyone with your contact information. You do so only after you feel that you have reached a level of safety.
What About Confidentiality ?
How Do I Arrange An Exchange ? Once you become a member, you can look through the listings for a destination, and property that appeals to you. On every listings page is a contact button which will forward your interest and comments to the intended member. You then wait for them to contact you via email. Once contacted, normal email correspondence and even phone calls should take place. 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 the listings to help narrow the possibilities. At the same time, you will probably be getting inquiries from your listing (isn't it great to get mail from so many wonderful places around the world!), offering even more choices. From these contacts, select those that are the most interesting. Continued correspondence with those potential traders can lead to that special vacation of your dreams. How Do I Maximize My Exchange Possibilities ? Successful exchanges are based upon flexibility. Members who are open to the adventures of home exchange have a high probability of finding an exchange partner. Any rigid dates or destinations may limit the scope of options. But always remember that your potential partner also shares the same concerns, he might have kids as well, with the related school period constraints. As a common guideline, our experience shows that early arrangements are the best. This means that your next holidays should be planned 6 month in advance, e.g. February for a July exchange. 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. Also...
How Do I Make My Exchange Run As Smoothly As Possible ? Communicate with your exchange partners. Give them all pertinent instructions and emergency contacts. Make them feel that you have taken care of every detail. What If I Don't Want My Exchange Partners To Use Certain Things ? It is best for you to remove those items you don't want to lend out. Put them away. What About My Valuable Items ? Please put them in a safe place. Put them away. What If There Is Damage To Anything? We recommend you draw up a contract between all parties that if there is anything broken or damaged, you both agree to replace the items or to pay for them. What Can I Do To Feel More Secure ? Get over it. First, remember that your exchange partner is letting you stay in his or her home, and probably has some of the same feelings. Our experience has been that most members go out of their way to take special care of their exchange home. You will probably have had correspondence while arranging details of the exchange to feel comfortable with your exchange partner. It is common practice to ask for and provide references, especially from prior exchanges. You need to make sure you feel absolutely comfortable with your exchange partner before the exchange. If you don't feel comfortable for any reason, there are lots of other members to choose from. You may wish to do a Hospitality Exchange rather than a Home Exchange. That way you are in your home with your exchange members. Some common precautions:
How Far In Advance Do I Need To Plan An Exchange ? We have members who may plan months for an international swap and others just weeks in advance. This all depends on your destination and duration. Please consider that we receive new members daily who are looking for compatible swaps sometimes on short notice, other times with more planning. Since your membership lasts a full year, we recommend that you join as early as you possible so that you can take your time looking at listings and won't be rushed. Who Pays For What ?Pay all mortgage or rental 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 help, payment is their responsibility. Of course you can. You can arrange to exchange and use everything if you wish: bicycles, boats, friends. Often traders exchange cars, a great savings of rental and insurance expenses can be made. Exchanging cars further allows you to enjoy he hassle-free style of travel which exchange offers. (If you choose to trade cars, be sure to check with your insurance agent to determine your specific coverage.) If We Exchange Cars, How Do I Get From The Airport To My Exchange Home ?I don't know. Take a cab. 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. Car insurance normally it is sufficient to list the names of your exchange guests as additional drivers on your policy. Fully comprehensive insurance normally remains in force for 30 days, covering anyone driving with your permission. If it makes you more comfortable, you can set up restrictions, make it clear if you do not wish your car to be driven abroad or across any border. In the case of North America, definitely stipulate that you do not allow your car being driven into Mexico, because only insurance concluded with a Mexican company is valid in this country. Will My Home Owner's Insurance Remain In Force ?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. Sometimes there is a limit of 30 days. Actually, insurance companies do admit that they prefer you to leave your home occupied by guests rather unoccupied - it's safer! Should We Exchange Official Contracts ?Legally drawn up contracts are not necessary. However an exchange agreement can establish responsibilities, limitations, and how to deal with unexpected problems, etc. You can also obtain references from your potential exchange partners, and if they have exchanged before, the best references come from their previous exchange partners. Ask them who they exchanged with before and make contact. What If My Exchange Partner Cancels At The Last Minute ?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. Remember, your exchange partner is going through the same process as you are. What About Pets ?
NEVER impose your pets upon your exchangers. Many exchangers will use your home as a base for daily sightseeing trips and will not want to be tied down by pet care. Pets are an enormous responsibility. In some cases, you may have to make boarding arrangements, or have someone else come in to care for your pet, as you would do normally. Exchange listings usually indicate whether pets are allowed and/or whether pet care is desired, in your exchange home. My Home Is Very Modest; Can I Expect To Get An Exchange ?Be completely honest in the description of your home and its amenities. Stress all the advantages, every home has them. This is a common concern. What you think is "modest" might be very special to someone from another area. Different features appeal to different people. Sometime it's just your location that makes the exchange work. A couple with a large beach property may be seeking a mountain cottage. If you see a listing that appeals to you, write to them! You don't know what will happen until you try. Your home may be just what the other member is looking for.
What barriers? You will notice that
when it comes down to get in touch with people who are planning to
live in your home, there is no language barrier. It is very
surprising how well people actually can communicate when they share
the same interest. People do their best to get close to someone who was
a stranger a few days earlier, but who's becoming almost a friend,
despite the language. You have a lot more in common that you
think.
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In other words, you save more than $
5,000 and benefit from your own "home" abroad!
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How Much Does It Cost ? The cost is nothing. It's free. You simply are required to become a member to view the membership listing. You must enclose a photo of yourself or your property to become a member.
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Get one.
The best chances to attract
attention to your home profile is a good-looking picture. There is no excuse. It's all marketing.
Don't expect many exchange request if you don't post a photo. Would you make contact without some
image of where you will be staying? 