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Home exchange, also known ashouse swapping, is a form oflodging in which two parties agree to offer each otherhomestays for a set period of time. Since no monetary exchange takes place, it is a form ofbarter,collaborative consumption, andsharing. Home exchange can cover any type ofresidence including apartments, houses,holiday cottages, boats, orrecreational vehicles. It can include an exchange of the entire home or just a room. The length of the swap can vary from a weekend to over a year. The swap can be simultaneous or non simultaneous. Home exchanges are usually arranged via specific types ofsocial networking services, most of which charge a fee.[1][2]
Like all homestays, home exchanges offer several advantages overhotel lodging, including a lower cost and opportunities forcultural diplomacy andfriendship.[3][4][5][6]
Some networks offer the ability to collect asecurity deposit.[7]
Summer is traditionally the peak season for house swapping, as families travel during school breaks.[4]
Organized home exchange originated in 1953 with the creation ofIntervac International by a group of European teachers looking to travel internationally economically during their summer breaks.[8] That same year, teacher David Ostroff created a home exchange network called "Vacation Exchange Club" (now HomeLink) inNew York City.[9]
In 1992, Ed Kushins started what is nowHomeExchange.com after a home exchange experience in Washington D.C. In 1995, he moved the business to theinternet.[10][11][12]
In 1999, home exchange was estimated to be growing at 15-20% per year.[13] In 2010, home exchange networks were continuing to experience rapid growth.[14]
Home exchange has been a subject of sociological studies, geographical and tourism studies, culture studies and peace studies. In 2008 it became also the subject of information andinformation security studies.[15]
The 2008 study byJulia Maria Koszewska explored "the role of information in modern society, particularly on access to information and information management as prerequisites for participative and democratic society".[15] This was done by study of history of home exchange movement and its initiatives, websites, and functionality expressed by users' experiences shared with the researcher.
Participants tend to be well-educated and well-traveled. Home exchanges are popular with teachers during school holidays, particularly during the summer,[16] and withsenior citizens, who have more time to travel.[17]
A 2013 study by theUniversity of Bergamo showed that participants were more skewed to higher age groups, with 28.3% aged 45–54, 18.7% 65+ and only 5.9% under age 34.[18] The study showed that 84.3% of respondents seek out museums and nature, 67% value environmentally-friendly tourism, and 98% express interest in cultural heritage. Fair trade food (63%) andorganic food (73%) are also important.[18] The study noted the strong degree oftrust necessary incollaborative consumption, with 75% agreeing that most people are trustworthy. 93% were satisfied with their experience, with 81% having swapped homes more than once.[18]
Home exchange services encompass various brands facilitating the exchange of residential properties for temporary stays. Several prominent companies operate in this domain:Homeexchange.com stands as the largest global service of its kind, boasting a substantial network of over 450,000 homes worldwide.[citation needed]ThirdHome distinguishes itself as an upscale home exchange community exclusive to second-home owners.[19][20] Kindred is a members-only home exchange network founded in 2021 that uses a credit-based system to match hosts and guests, and includes concierge and cleaning services as part of each stay.[21]
Home exchange was the subject of the 2006 romantic comedyThe Holiday, directed byNancy Meyers and starringKate Winslet,Cameron Diaz,Jack Black andJude Law.[22]
There are several situations in which people have exchanged homes permanently:
