Has anyone thought about a house swap?

[Mellors]

My mind has turned to this year's holidays and I am wondering about a house swap.

We are planning to have the whole of August off in Europe (flexible as to where), and I think it could be a great idea both from a financial perspective and because it would be lovely to swap with another family so the house we go to has toys etc (and vice versa). I think our house is well set up for it at this end.

Has anyone ever tried it? How did it work? How did you find your swapee?

NB if anyone knows somebody who would be interested in swapping let me know :)

Mel

[bubbachumps]

Yes we did a house swap via the Guardian Home Exchange site last year. We spent a week in Budapest while the Hungarian family stayed in East Dulwich. It was great! Nice to be off the tourist track a bit, we met some of their friends and neighbours and the house was very well equipped so great for families. They left our property as they had found it and we intend to do it again this year.

[Belle]

My cousin has done this a few times and really rates it - think her place is listed on a site, I can find out which one.

[Mellors]

That would be great, thanks Belle. I'm off to browse Guardiian Home Exchange....

[BeccaL]

We did a couple of years ago with a good friend of our next door neighbours who lives in Barcelona - had a great experience, with the benefit of knowing that the person you're swapping with is a known commodity. The friend (originally from UK) does this regularly as a way of being able to see/stay near old friends who wouldn't have room for her and whole family to come and stay for a decent length of time.

Would do again - didn't think husband would be keen but it went so well he's happy to try again! Any of your neighbours got overseas friends they'd like to come and visit.

[Cora]

I know the NCT have a house exchange thing going too....think it was about ?30 a year but maybe only for members?

[stevesmith]

I have seriously wanted to do a house swap since I saw the movie House Swap a few years ago. I wouldn't know where to begin, but it is certainly something I have really considered doing. I obviously have the concerns of some stranger coming to stay in my home for any length of time. I guess the fact that you will be staying in their home makes it that much easier to do. Are there websites or something that allow people to post a house swap? I would imagine that by now they would have to have built websites for it by now.

[curlykaren]

Yes there are websites, there is a membership fee but then you know the other people are also invested in the exchange working as they have also paid to join. From memory there is some kind of insurance deal as well. I haven't joined one yet but plan to so will watch this thread with interest. Recommendations for agencies/sites would be good!