Home Exchange Vacations - Ask the Expert, 'The Mature Traveler'

'The Mature Traveler' kindly gave us permission to reproduce the 'Ask the Expert' column on home exchange vacations from the December 2002 newsletter, one of the last editions published after 19 years. I was pleased to be asked to take part and answer questions on home exchange vacations specifically with senior travelers in mind. - Lois Sealey

Ask the Expert

Lois Sealey, Home Base Holidays, London

Swapping homes is a great way to get to know a new area or country. Live like a local and often meet your exchange partner’s friends and neighbors; or, just enjoy the space and comfort of a real home with no rental costs.

Isn’t home exchange more suitable for families?

Many families with children do take part in home exchanges. However, child-free travelers are often much more flexible on dates and lengths of exchange and so have more home swap opportunities than families restricted by school holidays or limited vacation time. If your home is unsuitable for children you can confine your offer to other mature travelers.

Is it safe to entrust my home to people I don’t know?

Your potential exchange partners will at first have the same concerns about you! Having someone in your home at the same time you are in theirs gives each of you a great incentive to treat the home entrusted to you with care. You only agree to an exchange once you are both happy with all the arrangements. As it usually takes several weeks to finalize an exchange, you will have lots of time to swap information, photos, references and generally get to know each other by email or phone calls.

What if there’s a problem in my house while I’m away?

Your home will be much safer from break-ins when occupied than if you left it empty. Most home swappers ask a friend or neighbor to act as their ‘agent’ while away, especially when impracticable to arrange an overlap to meet en route. The agent hands over keys and helps with any questions or problems your exchange partners may have. Also, leave instructions on how to operate your household equipment plus emergency numbers. Lock away any valuables you don’t want used.

I don’t live in a tourist area. Will anyone want to swap with me?

Although it can be an advantage if you live in a well-known location, many home exchangers want to avoid tourist areas or visit an area very different from where they live. For country dwellers this may mean staying in a large city without hotel expenses; for city folk, a ‘get away from it all’ remote location can be the perfect choice. Some exchangers enjoy a home and area so much that they repeat the swap more than once!

Can I find an exchange home equal in value and luxury to my $500,000 home?

Homes available for exchange vary enormously in size and amenities offered but there certainly are many up-market homes. Comparing by market value is not the best way to judge the quality of homes. Quite modest homes in large cities like London can be well over $500,000 in value while homes in rural locations that are more spacious and luxurious can have a much lower market value. Most exchangers are looking for a comfortable base in an area they want to visit. Many also enjoy experiencing a totally different lifestyle while on an exchange. For example: a large, modern home with swimming pool near a California beach for a 400 year old thatched cottage in a historic Cotswold village in rural England - or perhaps a small but elegant apartment near Montmartre in the heart of Paris. The choice is yours!

Lois Sealey has operated a home exchange service, Home Base Holidays, in London for over 17 years. The internet has greatly extended the choice of exchange offers with listings now available in 45+ countries. Visit the website for detailed information, to register for the free Home Swappers newsletter and to view all current offers:

Home Exchange - Ask the Expert, 'The Mature Traveler'

Ask the Expert