Times are changing in every way. From alternative lifestyles to alternative families to alternative fuels, it seems there is no limit to the development of offshoot societal trends. In the area of travel there is even an alternative style emerging, developing out of a need for a smart and affordable way to see the world on a budget, without sacrificing comfort and safety. House swapping, the proper name for "opening the doors of your home to a stranger in exchange for the key to their home in ____________( name of favorite city or ski area)," is gaining more and more popularity.
Trading houses for a set period of time as an even exchange is obviously an economical option for budget travelers, but there is also a growing appeal to those who love to travel and enjoy the comforts of home, without the sterility of hotel accommodations or a stiff-sofa condo rental with a shared pool area in a complex. This mode of accommodation is for the home-away-from-home holiday traveler sans the high-ticket pricing. Additionally, it allows travelers to do the: "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" thing, free from other tourists and right in the neighborhood of local people and fare.
Part of the leap in the popularity of house swapping is the advent and growth of the Internet. Businesses such as London's Home Base Holidays offer a membership-based swap service that pairs homeowners internationally, offering browsable listings and the ability to email other members to get to know them and eventually make an offer. Most people correspond over several weeks' time and exchange references. Some even arrange for an overlap so they can meet. An estimated 500,000 people worldwide are house swapping, international exchanges still at the top of the list. But more and more people are becoming interested in swapping within their own country, with a current trend leaning toward multiple shorter breaks, weekend trips, and short city escapes as opposed to a lengthier annual vacation.
Travelers aged 50-plus are excellent candidates for swaps, as most are empty-nesters who are not limited to school-year holiday schedules and can therefore consider traveling during off-peak times when airfares are more reasonable. The options for pairing them with another swapper are more open as well, giving them the whole world as their oyster. Those who are open to other cultures and are not looking for a travel agent to make all their plans for them would be appropriate for house swapping. But a person who will likely worry about their own house the entire trip should obviously consider other travel arrangements.
A villa in Tuscany for your San Francisco Painted Lady, a ski-in/ski-out in St. Moritz for your Hollywood Bowl overlook... sounds great, doesn't it? But just how safe is it really to entrust your beloved home to a stranger? Here are some guidelines to sooth your concerns. People with enough space to lock a room might consider placing valuables and important documents behind a locked door. Many home swappers allow guests to use the house computer, but will password-protect it and crate a separate login for the guest. Others will allow internet access for the guest's own laptop computer. Inform your homeowners' insurance carrier that you will be having non-paying guests and their length of stay. Statistically speaking, it is much safer to leave the place occupied than left empty and some policies offer the same coverage. Most companies insure for burglary only if there is evidence of a break-in, so be sure that your swappers understand the procedure to secure the house. Be aware of the policy you have in terms of accidental damage and compile a mutual agreement with your guest for what is not covered. And most importantly, if your potential swappers are evasive, arrogant, overly fussy, or unwilling to address important issues, do not engage in a swap. There will be other swappers who will put you at ease from the start, whose interests and intentions are a perfect exchange for yours.