Q 1: What is home exchange?

It’s when 2 families from different parts of the country or different corners of the world schedule their vacations same time  and decide to swap living quarters. This could be a house, apt, or condo and could be for as short as a weekend or as long as a few months.

You could afford your dream vacation this way and attend big events like Wimbledon, the Rose Bowl or a Grand Prix. The whole family could go, you may not have been  able to afford trip if you had to stay in a hotel.

Q 2: What is included in the swap?

It can include cars, maybe even boats, live-in maids who do cooking and cleaning, private pools or beaches. Someone in a small town might be worried that their place is in a less desirable home or location, but homes do not have to be equal – it’s the  experience living in faraway neighborhood that counts.

Q 3:  Shouldn’t I worry about the expensive things I have in my house?

All first timers fear loss china, silver, jewelry, electronic equipment or other expensive items but theft home swappers is unheard of.  When I spoke to the owner of HomeLink, he said that if you are worried, then you can put these items away at a friend’s house.

uncomfortable strangers sleeping in their bed. hotel or motel, you sleep in a bed recently slept in by many different strangers.

Q 4: How do I find out about people who want to do this?

The two oldest organizations that do this have been around since 1953:

www.homelink.ca or www.intervac.ca, used to put out catalogues a couple of times a year but nowadays you find the info online. The listing will have dates, locations, kind of home, nearness to cities and sites. Databases all over world Cost is about $129 to join to look through 13,000-30,000 possibilities.

Q 5: What do you have to do to get your house ready to do this?

You would have to leave some room in a cupboard, drawers, freezer, fridge and medicine cabinet. It is best to leave a “Home Info” kit: how to work the vacuum cleaner, repairmen, how to use all appliances, local doctors, where are the water shut offs, police #, fire #, how to find community activities, contact info for neighbours and relatives.

Don’t be surprised find wine, flowers casserole when you arrive. The key is trust and a renewal in the faith of mankind.

Other details to remember to discuss: telephone, utilities,  liability insurance,  are other overnight guests allowed, pets, house cleaning, cooking utensils, linens and use of sporting equipment.

Homelink International
1707 Platt Crescent, N. Vancouver, BC  V7J 1X9.
Phone: (604) 987-3262
www.homelink.ca

Intervac Canada
606 Alexander Cr. NW, Calgary, AB
Phone: (403) 210-262
www.intervac.ca