You may know the feeling: you’ve been to the same vacation home that you own several times this year, despite wanting to experience some other locations. It’s hard to justify going elsewhere, because you have so much invested in your vacation property.
You’re in luck: there are a variety of home-exchange services that can open up a new world of options for you.
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article by Art Patnaude that details the development of home exchanges similar to AirBnB, but for mansion and luxury home “swapping.” These sites – including Exclusive Exchanges, HomeExchangeGold, and Love Home Shop – allow members to trade spaces or allow the use of their home for a more reasonable price than that of a standard hotel. The article gives the example of a member who was able to stay at a beautiful beach villa in Vietnam complete with chefs, drivers, and concierge for only $495 dollars a week! While these exchanges do have a membership fee, it’s a small price to pay for access to new and unique, luxurious locales.
For those nervous about lending or swapping homes for fear of theft or property damage, rest assured that most home exchanges have strong systems of communication and even insurance in place to make sure Members are protected. There is also considerable correspondence between Members prior to any exchange. All parties involved typically know the protocol for the swaps, and the majority of exchanges report that claims for damage or theft are rare.
When planning your next getaway, perhaps consider home exchanges as an option. You may just end up with a memorable, fantastic experience to last a lifetime!