Swapping homes can be an affordable way of holidaying in your dream location

Swapping homes can be an affordable way of holidaying in your dream location, writes Carol O’Callaghan.

With Airbnb on everyone’s lips when it comes to cheap accommodation, has the idea of house swapping been overlooked?

Admittedly, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to let a complete stranger into their home, unlike Airbnb where the homeowner remains on-site, but according to Marie Murphy who runs Irish home swap company Home Link with husband Paul, it’s about building relationships and having good communication.

In business since 1954, Home Link has between 9,000 and 10,000 homes on its books at any one time and is among a growing number of websites offering home swaps around the globe. Whether they are two bedroom city apartments, country cottages or mansions, there’s demand for all types of accommodation.

“It’s all based on trust,” she says. “You are letting them into your home, but the person at the other end is concerned just like you. We advise our members to take their time and email regularly to iron out all the details so you get a feel for what the other people are like.”

Who doesn't dream of balmy holidays in an Italian villa? This beauty comes with lush garden where you can soak up the sunshine and enjoy some peace and quiet.

An annual membership fee of €120 applies, so anyone who signs up is serious about house swapping.

“People are looking for a home from home,” says Marie. “Priorities are comfort and savings as no money changes hands. You get to know the real country as these homes are not necessarily in tourist areas so you get a real feel for what it’s like to live in a country.”

It’s no surprise to hear that Spain, France and Italy are the most popular swaps, but northern Europe, including Holland and Scandinavia are also options, plus places as far-flung as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and even Japan.

“Sometimes people will be approached from homeowners in countries they might not have considered visiting and end up having wonderful experiences,” Marie explains.

It’s about finding a match that’s right for you

Once you set up your profile on the site, there are tick boxes for facilities your home offers which help potential guests assess if your home meets their needs. This can even include swapping cars.

Fancy a mini-break? Do a house swop with a home owner in the Belgian city of Ghent, and enjoy the historic sights.

“A house lived in by a couple whose children have flown the nest might not be suitable for a young family,” says Marie, “whereas one with toys and swings in the back garden is perfect.”

But before getting that far, there’s a bit of preparation to be done at home.

“Give the place a good clean and tidy, and take photos to upload so they can see exactly what they’re getting,” she advises.

A more recent development called ‘non-simultaneous exchange’ plays to anyone with a second or holiday home which might be lying idle for months at a time.

“It means availing of Australia or New Zealand during their summer,” Marie

explains. “In return, our Irish members offer the use of their holiday home during our Irish summer or at a time suitable to both parties. Offering a second home also means members are often more flexible in agreeing on dates for their exchanges.”

This timber-clad, traditional style German house is situated in Bonn which can be easily accessed on non-stop flights from Dublin.

Should anything go wrong while you’re abroad, there’s the reassurance of local representatives. Equally, there are fringe benefits of house swapping long-term.

“We know people who’ve swapped and made friends so now they send their children to stay with each other’s families to learn the language.”

Do’s and don’t’s for house swapping

-- Deep clean your home for your guests, especially the kitchen and bathroom. Leave their house the way you found it.

-- If you break something replace it. If it’s a precious object and not easily replaced offer compensation. It’s all about good, old-fashioned communication and mutual respect.

-- Should you wish to lock personal items into a room before you hand over your home, let the guests know in advance; otherwise they might think you don’t trust them.

-- Tell your neighbours you’re house swapping as you might want to leave house keys with them for the guests to collect.

-- Check your home insurance to make sure you’re covered to house swap.

-- Use email, Skype or Facetime to ‘meet’ the other owners and make sure you’re a match.

-- Don’t get too flowery in your descriptions of your home. Stick to the reality.

www.homelink.ie

Next week we hear from some of the homeowners who love to swap