How to house swapWhere are the homes?
Register with a home exchange agency
Where are the homes?
You'll find exchange homes in Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the UK and the USA - these are the most popular places - but there are also other countries with a fair number of exchange properties.
In the UK, people are keen to swap homes in London, Edinburgh, the West Country and the Cotswolds, however many exchangers are non-specific about where they want to go, so don't be put off if you happen to live somewhere else.
How do I choose an agency?
The first step is to register with a home exchange agency. There are several long-standing agencies in the UK with memberships from around 3000 to 13,000 worldwide as well as other online agencies, some aimed at particular interest groups, or those based in the USA and Canada.
Don't assume the more members the greater the choice of properties, though - some agencies combine home exchange with other services such as house rental or house-sitting, so before signing up, have a good look at their websites.
Browse through the destinations and properties on offer - you'll find that some have detailed descriptions on the lifestyle or circumstances of the home owner, while others simply emphasise facilities. Some websites have useful features. Look out for those that:
- Flag up the latest properties. This will save you time looking at homes you've already rejected.
- Offer last-minute holidays. Good for people who want to travel in the next six to eight weeks.
- Indicate when exchangers have met their holiday requirements. Don't waste time contacting them.
- State whether the property is a second home. They may not be as atmospheric or well-equipped as you might expect.
- Use an agency with a phone contact. You can easily get in touch and ask for help or advice.
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