About Singles Home Exchange International
Why should you exchange homes, nationally or internationally?
How can I find the right Home Exchange partner?
Why do I have to join before contacting members?
Why should I become a member of Home Exchange International?
How much does a membership with Home Exchange International cost?
Once I have paid for my membership, will there be any further charges?
Will my personal information's be published on the Internet?
Are your listings up to date?
Is it safe to allow another member to live in my home?
Can I expect to find a home exchange partner for my modest home?
Can I expect to get an exchange if I don't live in a popular tourist destination?
Who is responsible for paying for what during the exchange?
How do the arrangements become finalized?
Is it possible for me to insure my trip when I arrange a home exchange?
Will my home and car insurance be valid when someone else is using them?
In what condition should I leave the exchange home?
What do I do about possible damages to my home and its furnishings?
What can I do to help out my home exchange partner?
Can I use this service to list a home that is a rental only?
Home exchange checklist
What is Home Exchange?
A Home Exchange is an arrangement in which two people agree to exchange homes for an agreed upon period of time that is acceptable to both parties. For the duration of the exchange, each person will live in and care for the other person's home.
Why should you exchange homes, nationally or internationally?
A membership with Home Exchange International allows you the opportunity for home exchange or apartment exchange with any national or international member, completely free of charge. During a home exchange, NO MONEY changes hands between members, which means a significantly reduced cost for accommodations, whether you are on vacation or working or studying abroad. The only expenses would be transportation and maybe heating or electricity. Staying in fully furnished home allows you to live as a local, cook your own meals and feel right at home from the very first day you arrive.
How can I find the right Home Exchange partner?
Simply browse through the listings posted by our members, and if you find a home exchange opportunity that you like, contact the member by email. Non-members may browse listings, but a Premium membership is required before you can make contact with another member.
Why do I have to join before contacting members?
By registering and paying the small membership fee, you are guaranteeing to our members that your home is available for exchange, and that your listing is active. Your listing shows that you are serious and are motivated to arrange for a home exchange with one of the other members. Our "members only" policy also protects the privacy of all of our members.
Why should I become a member of Home Exchange International?
At Home Exchange International, we are the 'Home Exchange Specialists'. We have been in business for several years, and each one of us is actively participating in home exchange, just like all of our members. We provide listings from more than 70 countries around the world to give our members an excellent variety of home exchange possibilities. Each member's join date is displayed, so you can see that the listings aren't outdated. All listings are published by other members, all of whom are actively seeking a home exchange arrangement. Most members of SHEI are quite flexible, which allows the opportunity to find a perfect match for a home exchange whether you live in a house or apartment. Home exchange arrangements can be used for vacations as well as for people who are planning to work or study abroad for an extended period of time. Our staff members are always available to help guests and members, and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
How much does a membership with Home Exchange International cost?
The cost of a one year Premium membership is $35 US. A membership also allows you to list your house or apartment for rent in our Vacation Rental section, at a cost of just $20 US.
Once I have paid for my membership, will there be any further charges?
There will be NO further charges once you have paid your membership fees. Once you are a member, there is no limit to the numbers of home exchanges you are allowed to do. There is also no limit to other member functions such as photo uploads and listing updates.
Will my personal information's be published on the Internet?
No, we don't reveal your personal information's. We do not sell or disclose any personal information about our users. Information users provide us with at the time of registration is not distributed to any third party users.
Are your listings up to date?
All of the home exchange listings on our website are up to date, which is why we show the registration date or each listing. Listings are shown on the site for one or two years after the date of registration.
Is it safe to allow another member to live in my home?
One advantage of using SHEI's apartment exchange or home exchange service is that it is based solely upon direct personal contact between the members who arrange to stay in each other's home. This means that the house or apartment that you are staying in belongs to the member who is staying in yours. You can rest assured that the other member will have the same concerns that you do. Staying in each other's homes gives each of you a powerful incentive to treat the home that has been entrusted to you with great care and respect. The direct communication that you have with your home exchange partner will allow you to become familiar with each other and establish trust. A home swap does not take place overnight. Nonetheless, we urge members to exchange as much information as possible during the home exchange process for their security and peace of mind. Information that you may exchange may include copies of passports, insurance information, and photos of the home. In past years that we have run our home exchange program we have not had any complaints from members regarding theft or damages.
Can I expect to find a home exchange partner for my modest home?
You can find an exchange for any home. Simply be honest in your description of your home and all of the available amenities. List all of the advantages that your home has, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the response you receive.
Can I expect to get an exchange if I don't live in a popular tourist destination?
Although there are advantages for members who live in popular tourist areas, our experience has shown that a lot of members prefer to avoid tourist areas. Describe any local attractions, and list nearby cities and airports. Provide as much information as possible to potential home exchange partners.
Who is responsible for paying for what during the exchange?
Who pays for what is one of the details that you will work out with your home exchange partner as you arrange the deal. It is common for each of the members to be responsible for their own regular household expenses such as rent or mortgage for the duration of the home exchange. Members are often responsible for their own long distance phone calls, heat and electricity while staying in another's home.
How do the arrangements become finalized?
Once you have agreed to exchange homes with another member, you and your home exchange partner can contact each other with letters, email and phone calls to finalize the dates and agree upon other details such as pets, cars and various responsibilities. Both parties should also sign a home exchange contract. You can download example here.
Is it possible for me to insure my trip when I arrange a home exchange?
Yes. Most Travel Agencies will be able to insure your trip against various pitfalls such as cancellations and losses of baggage or money.
Will my home and car insurance be valid when someone else is using them?
Policies differ from one insurance company to another. Check with your insurance company to find out what is covered and if necessary, purchase additional insurance before your home exchange.
In what condition should I leave the exchange home?
You should always leave an exchange home exactly the way you found it, and in the condition that you would expect to find your own home.
What do I do about possible damages to my home and its furnishings?
When you are considering a home swap, keep in mind that your home swap partner is allowing you to stay in his or her house or apartment and is likely to have the same concerns that you do. If you are worried, you can take some precautions by removing things of value and things that are particularly special to you. Make arrangements with a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your home from time to time to ensure that everything is ok.
What can I do to help out my home exchange partner?
Enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to be a Contact Person who can welcome your home exchange partners on their arrival and hand over the keys as well as collect the keys when the home exchange is over. Leave helpful information such as maps or brochures for local places of interest. Leave a list of where general household items can be found and helpful telephone numbers, as well as instruction manuals for any appliances that your home exchange partner may need to use.
Can I use this service to list a home that is a rental only?
Yes, you can list your rental home through our Vacation Rental Service
Home exchange checklist:
- Appoint someone as a Contact Person who can hand over the keys and offer assistance to your home exchange or apartment exchange partner on arrival and departure.
- Check all of your insurance policies to ensure that you have third party liability, health insurance, and any additional coverage that you may need.
- Exchange copies of any vital information such as passports and insurance policies.
- Agree upon any payment for services used such as electricity or phone.
- Leave instructions for plant care and basic household maintenance such as location of breaker panels.
- Leave instruction manuals or instructions for household appliances.
- Leave information about local amenities such as public transit, post office or grocery store.
- Leave a list of important telephone numbers near the phone.
AND FINALLY...
Prepare your home for the arrival of your home swap partner. Leave your home nice and clean, and allow adequate wardrobe space for your guest.
As an added touch, why not consider leaving a nice bottle of wine and some fresh flowers to welcome your home exchange partner?
| LATEST NEWS |
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| SHEI has partnered with Global Home Exchange. When you join SHEI you are offered one year free membership at Global Home Exchange. JOIN NOW |
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| CNN in "Swap home, see world" report recommend our site for apartment exchange |
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