Holiday House Swap 101
Finding a Holiday House Swap
New to house swapping?
Read our practical tips for securing a house swap.
Plan Ahead
It may be possible to find a last minute swap, but
for a preferred destination at a specific date, sufficient lead time is needed.
We recommend you start the search for a holiday house swap early.
How far ahead is early? Well it depends! Here are some considerations.
For How Long Do You Want to Swap Houses
Is this a three-week holiday swap, a weekend swap, or a one-year sabbatical house swap?
Most house swapping falls into the three-week holiday category.
As a general rule, three to six months before you plan to travel works well here.
You'll need this time to get to know the other party through the exchange of e-mails, letters and telephone calls.
This time is also vital to set out the terms of the house swap.
You can start earlier but arrangements made a year ahead are subject to unexpected complications.
For weekend swaps, one to two months ahead is a good guideline to use.
Weekend house swaps work well around public holidays.
So start contacting people one or two months prior to a long weekend.
For a long-term house swap of six months or more, start planning about twelve months before your travel dates.
This should be ample time for potential exchangers to find your offer, give it some thought and to contact you.
For this type of swap, a period longer than several months is needed for the exchangers to get to know each other.
It also allows for an exploratory visit to meet the other party and inspect the house.
When do You Plan to Travel
Are you planning to travel during a busy holiday period?
If you are travelling from North America to Europe in July, posting a holiday house swap in June likely means
you will pay a premium price for your airline tickets.
Or you may be disappointed to learn that the dates you wish to travel for that holiday house swap to Europe
are fully booked. So it's probably a good idea to start looking for that July holiday swap in January.
Where is Your Home Located
Location, Location, Location!
If your home is located on Manhattan's west side facing Central Park, advertising your New York house swap a month
before your travel dates may be risky but there's still a good chance you'll find a
last minute swap.
While someone living in Des Moines, Iowa is unlikely to find someone this late in the game.
So give careful consideration to where your home is located in determining how early to start
looking for that perfect holiday house swap.
