Should I do a House Swap?

I saw this helpful artical today on home exchanges...you know, like the movie the Holiday, where Cameron Diaz trades her LA mansion for Kate Winslet's English home for Christmas.

Here's the article:
Sure, you'd like to take your dream vacation this summer, but funds are, shall we say, a little tight. One way to cut costs is to house swap. Just imagine trading your Mission Hills craftsman bungalow for an apartment in Paris. Or swapping your downtown condo for a villa in the Tuscan hills. While the concept of exchanging homes sounds intriguing, the idea of opening up your home to a relative stranger is kind of scary, too. Before you trade keys, here's what you need to know.

First, how do I even find someone to exchange homes with? There are plenty of sites out there to assist in the matchmaking process, including homeexchange.com and homeforexchange.com. Those sites charge an annual fee. Andi Brown, a talent booker in San Diego, found a house-swap partner through craigslist.com when she was looking for a cheap place to stay in Austin, Texas.

How do I know that I won't end up with a psycho or that the house won't turn out to be a total pit? Communication is key, say the experts. Think of it almost as an online dating process, explains Ed Kushins, president of homeexchange.com. You start by sussing each other out by looking at pictures online and then testing compatibility with e-mail exchanges. Brown says that through a lengthy e-mail dialogue, she was able to get a good sense of the type of person she was dealing with. By the time they spoke on the phone, Brown says, it was if she was talking to a friend. Also, if a person has exchanged homes before, you can ask for references. On homeexchange.com, for instance, past swap partners also can leave feedback.

What if we don't have the same standards for cleanliness? That can be the biggest point of contention, says Ans Lammers, owner of homeforexchange.com. The best tact is to be brutally honest with a potential swap partner. If you are a neat freak, say so. If you're a little more, um, laid back, explain that as well. If it seems like you are not on the same page when it comes to housekeeping expectations, it might be best to pass on that particular exchange possibility.

What do I do about Fido and Fifi? That is entirely up to you and your house-trading comrade. If you have pets, taking care of them can be part of the exchange. If you only like cats and dogs of the stuffed-animal variety, then have the other homeowners board their furry friends.

How can I make sure that my home is left in an acceptable manner?
Lammers suggests having a contract as part of any swap to spell out exactly what each party expects. (Click here to see a sample contract.) She also recommends asking a neighbor or friend to inspect the home before the exchange partner leaves. You also may want to exchange deposits.

What should I put away?
Anything personal like banks statements, bills and even photos. If you have expensive jewelry or artwork, you should lock that away, too.

My place is hardly ready for the pages of Metropolitan Home. Will anyone even want to stay here? You'd be surprised, but yes. Sure, you'll have a better chance of snagging a swanky three-bedroom apartment on the Left Bank if you have a fat pad close to the ocean, but you can still find an exchange partner if you have a small house in a less flashy part of town, Kushins says. You will, however, probably have to be more aggressive and send out as many inquiries as possible. Brown's house-swapping partner was looking for a cottage near the beach, but she contacted him even though her place is in South Park.

How can I get people interested in my house? Post pictures of your place, lots and lots of pictures. Also, post pictures of yourself and your family and tell prospective swappers as much as you can about yourself and your city and all its benefits. If you live in Escondido, for instance, explain how your home is within driving distance to all Southern California's attractions, Kushins recommends. Being flexible about timing helps, too, Lammers says. Offering a car swap is another way to entice would-be partners.

Car swapping?
Really? That just sounds, well, fraught. Kushins says about 50 percent of people switch cars, as it saves on rental car costs. Most insurance policies have guest-driver coverage, but you will want to double-check with your insurer. If you do exchange cars, Kushins recommends writing out a note to be placed in the glove compartment that gives the other person permission to drive the car and provides insurance information as well.

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune