House Swap

So why not swap homes for a while?

Sounds improbable, but many travelers are doing exactly that through a home exchange. Doing so is free, and it allows you to stay in someone else's home — while they stay in yours. "It's a wonderful, wonderful way to travel," says travel expert Pauline Frommer. The trend began in Europe during the 1950s, and has since spread to the United States as travel abroad has become more popular.

People swap stays in all kinds of lodging, from apartments and houseboats to beach-side cottages and castles, says Marie Simon, co-author of the book "The Home Exchange Guide." Vacations are the most popular reason to swap, but some folks take advantage of home exchanges for work, study, special events (such as the Olympics) and family visits.

Is a home exchange right for you? A few things to consider:

• Are you comfortable with what an exchange entails? "Somebody that you don't know is going to be staying in your house," says Simon. The thought of a home exchange should be exciting, not scary.
• Do you live in an area that folks would like to visit? A swap depends on finding someone who wants to visit the area where you live. Obviously, New York City is going to be a more popular destination than a little town in Iowa, says Simon. That isn't to say you won't have any luck at all if you're in a rural area — you just may not have your pick of destinations.
• Do you have pets, housemates or a high-maintenance yard? You may have a more difficult time finding a swap partner if you need that person to shoulder some responsibility or share your space during their stay.

Finding a Swap
To find a home exchange, hit the Internet, says Frommer. There are dozens of home-exchange groups offering listings. "They give you the names of people all over the world who want to swap," she says. Many sites specialize, offering exchanges for seniors, singles and the disabled. You can also find sites that are country-specific.

Here's a selection of the big-name, world-wide exchange sites out there. (For more options, visit www.freehomeawayfromhome.com).

Keys to a Successful Swap
Here's how to make the most of your home exchange:

Plan ahead
Finding the right swap partner can take a while, says Margaret Kelly, an associate editor for Fodor's. And finding that person is only the beginning. "Give yourself at least six months to nail all this down," she says.

Be proactive
Simply listing your home on the sites should garner responses, but you'll have a better shot at finding what you want if you actively search for a swap partner, says Simon. "This isn't effortless," she says.

Stay flexible
No matter where you live, it'll be tough to find a swap partner if you're dead set on a specific week and location. Be open to what's available. Though the most common exchange is a one-on-one swap, says Simon, you can also try nonsimultaneous swaps (someone else stays in your home while you're away, and you stay in their home at another time, while they're away) or hostings (you stay with the family as guests, and then they stay with you).

Ask a lot of questions
"Don't just rely on details in the listing," says Kelly. Call and email your swap partner and exchange photographs of your home. You should also ask about the specific area your swap partner lives in. Is it safe? Are there public transportation options nearby?

Being inquisitive is important because people may not think to mention little details that are a part of their everyday lives, says Simon. People usually aren't trying to be deceptive — it just may not occur to them that staying in a smoker's house or caring for the family's pet duck could be deal-breakers for you. For a list of questions to ask, visit freehomeawayfromhome.com. (You'll need to register for the site; registration is free.)

Iron out the details
Put in writing all the details of your swap, including any responsibilities you'd like your guests to handle, and how bills during the swap period will be accounted for. Be sure to mention if certain things, say, your desktop computer or snowmobile, are off-limits. You should also discuss feasibility of swapping other items, such as cars and cellphones.

Make sure you're covered
Because swappers are guests, your homeowners or renters insurance may cover any damage incurred during an exchange. But be sure to call your insurance company for details.