What is Home Exchange?

Simply put, two members agree to exchange homes for a vacation. Typically, you will go to their home while they are in yours. You pay all your home expenses such as mortgage, utilities, etc.

Variations on Home Exchange

Home Exchange. The original. You are in their home while they are in yours.
Non-Simultaneous Exchange. You are in their home on one date, later they are in your home. Typically this is arranged by two members with second homes. If you have a second home, the flexibility can really help with arranging an exchange.
Hospitality Exchange. They come and stay with you as a guest in your home. Later, you visit them as a guest in their home.

How is an exchange arranged?

It usually starts with an offer emailed to a prospective exchange partner who has been selected from a number of listings resulting from a search. If the member feels an exchange might be possible, they reply to the email and iron out the details. There is no timetable for how long this will take or what must be done. In my experience, every home exchange was different in some way.