Maybe you don't think about it much now because we are still in the middle of the battle against Covid. But with each passing day there is less, and soon you will return to travel and accumulate experiences. 

By then, we are preparing and taking note of ideas. Have you heard that you can exchange your house?

It is a modality that many travelers have already tried. The first time, nervous about the news. But in this there is consensus among users: the more you try it, the more interesting you find this new way of traveling and discovering new places.

You want to know more?

Not only on vacation: exchanging your home can be an option for the whole year

Perhaps when you started thinking about this idea of ​​exchanging your house, you had vacations in mind. I just want to tell you that it is not the only possibility.

Imagine that you would love to go live in a new city, in another country, but not permanently. A couple of months would suffice. Exchanging your house may be the solution.

Or maybe you are thinking of moving permanently, but first you would like to get to know the city up close. The best way is to live in it for a few weeks.

This is how you make contact with the day to day, the people, the weather, the purchases, the metro… They can tell you all this, but there is no way to check it in situ . Again: swap.

If you telework, then you already have a golden opportunity to travel while continuing to comply with work.

And, of course, the holidays. Normally, the people who resort to home exchange tend to match the profile of travelers who escape from mass tourism and value the local experience.

Also, you can have wide options. By going to another family's house, you can look for one that is just like yours. If you have children, there will be toys. Or they will allow you to travel with your dog, if they also have animals at home.

To find out about the experiences of others, I recommend that you visit the HomeExchange blog , one of the most used exchange platforms, and thus begin to make contact to find out how this works.

Can you trade your home safely? Yes, but not crazy

I confess to you: exchanging my house was one of my pre-pandemic plans. So I haven't tried it yet... but I've spent a lot of time researching how it works, and its pros and cons (which there are of all).

The exchange platforms put the parties in communication and facilitate optimal understanding.

In addition, they collect the opinions of other users. They are usually very reliable, reading them counts a lot when making a decision.

In the event that there is a problem, it can be reported to the platform. However, before launching into a home exchange, I recommend that you read "the fine print" well, to know what they will take care of and what not if there is a problem.

The greatest guarantee of security in this type of collaborative platform is that all parties are very interested in making it work.

Whether you have to put yourself in the role of traveler or host, I am sure that you will do your best so that everything goes well. And the same for the other part.

5 very basic tips for a good experience exchanging your home

Going to someone else's house (and the same when other people come to yours) is a living experience that has nothing to do with other types of vacation rentals.

Here you will find the personal stamp of its owners everywhere: the shelves with books, the way of organizing the kitchen, the decoration details...

I have come up with 5 very basic tips so that everything goes well:

1. Expose your needs

Make sure that the exchange you request fits what you need. In other words, do not even think of showing up with your dog if you have not made sure beforehand that your destination is pet friendly.

Or ask for the car if you have not agreed before. It is possible to do it, but the communication must be very clear to avoid misunderstandings.

For example, in my current situation, I already have a couple of houses listed where there are children. Although of course I will take my things, I would appreciate that they have a crib and that there are kitchen utensils to feed my little one. 

2. Be flexible

The willingness and attitude to solve the little things counts a lot for a happy ending. Always remember that it is not a hotel (for that you have other options).

Come on, if they tell you that there is a tap touched or that the lock on the door has a trick, take it naturally. Surely your house also has its "little things" (mine does, at least).

3. Make yourself at home

In every way, mainly to take care of it as if it were really yours. That it does not seem that Attila has passed by there.

From there, enjoy and make the most of both the house and your hosts, if you agree with them.

4. My home, my rules

If they tell you that you can't smoke inside the house or that the pool is closed until a certain date or that after a certain time you can't make noise... It doesn't matter: it complies with the rules of the house.

The neighbors are not to blame for you being on vacation. I have had a tourist apartment nearby and I know what is suffered when the guests are not civilized.

5. Say thank you

What do you love that others appreciate that you have made an effort to make them comfortable? Well do the same. A nice note, a small surprise gift... create beautiful moments and you will leave a mark.

And also, the owners will give you a good assessment in case you decide to repeat the experience in another house and in another country.

And now, tell me, would you consider exchanging your house as an option to travel? What would attract you the most about this modality? You've done it already?

You can see that I am thinking of doing it, so I would really like to know your opinion.