The revolution of house swapping

The revolution of house swapping

Are you already thinking about how and where to spend your next Christmas holidays? Of course, timing is essential if you want to take advantage of last minute offers; indeed, you will have to book your holiday two months before your departure date at least.

If you want to experience something different and enjoy a pleasant stay in a destination you have longed for at length, you may join a home-swapping network and put your house at the disposal of polite holidaymakers who are ready to let you spend a relaxing week in their apartment. The exchange of homes makes your travel to a place you have always wanted to go easier.

Home swapping has been steadily getting a footing among people who can afford low budget holidays and among tourists who are interested in availing themselves of their vacation to make a cultural exchange. Home exchange, indeed, can contribute in improving mutual understanding among peoples of the world, while providing a real and genuine experience of a location through a direct insight into a community.

House swapping represents also a kind of sustainable tourism, as it does not put extra pressure on local resources.

There are several networks specialising in home exchange. Listings are updated frequently, as the house swap revolution is attracting and involving an increasing number of home owners. Unimpeachable honesty is a key characteristic the members of home swapping networks must have.

Exchanging homes for holidays allows cutting down on costs linked to the organisation of the holiday. You can travel and stay in someone else’s house without paying anything for your stay. The University of Bergamo has carried out a survey discovering that only 17% of people who opt for home swapping choose to exchange their home to save money. Indeed, people who join home swapping networks say that spending a holiday in a house is much more comfortable than staying in a hotel. A house offers many comforts hotels cannot give, above all to those who travel with their children.

Obviously, it is indispensable to be open-minded and to have the necessary detachment to entrust a home to unknown people, despite the value of the house and of things contained in it: antique furniture, refined furnishings, ethnic carpets, paintings of great value, expensive technology devices that make the home more comfortable.

The member of home exchange networks pay an annual fee comprised between 25 and 360 euros. There are some networks specialising in deluxe properties and some other offer a “listing alert” that sends a real-time alert of a new member when there is a matching between supply and demand.

ItalyTuscany in particular – is one of the most sought-after destinations, even if the culture of exchange still needs to grow in the country. Home swapping is very popular all around the world. There are numerous lofts “for exchange” in New York, sea-front villas on Koh Samui Island in Thailand, charming chalets in Whistler in Canada, beautiful country homes in Cape Town in South-Africa, large apartments in  Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates among the others.

A loft can be exchanged with a two-roomed flat or with a castle. The only necessary condition is that they all have a unique and special charm.

Click on the following links to learn more about alternative real estate investment opportunities:

-                    Living in a former religious building

-          Mansards and lofts: Alternative housing solutions in Italy

-          Almost-new: a new market segment in the property market of the United States

Related Insights

  •  
    The revolution of house swapping

    The revolution of house swapping Are you already thinking about how and where to spend your next Christmas holidays? Of course, timing is essential if you want to take advantage of last minute offers; indeed, you will have to book your holiday two months before your departure date at least. If ...

Real Estate Listings

Cod. 43385

For sale House, South Africa, Gauteng, pretoria, Riviera, Pretoria,

540,800.00USD
For sale
House

5500 m²
Exquisite Guest Lodge With Panoramic City Views In Riviera, Pretoria Ladies and gentlemen, it is with immense pleasure and a sense of great privile...
An entertainers dream mansion. 4 bedrooms, all with on-suite dressing & bathrooms, all with private covered verandas. Fully equipped gym. Solid map...
Cod. 40550

For sale House, South Africa, Western Cape, Mossel Bay, Amy

205,504.00USD
For sale
House

1368 m²
Beautiful home with Guesthouse-potential. 4 en-suite bedrooms, neat front-garden, vegetable garden in the back of the property. Open-plan lounge with ...
Newly renovated 3 bedroom house in secure complex.The house has a garage and one parking bay with plenty of visitor bays in the surrounds. There is al...
Cod. 39880

For sale Farmhouse, South Africa, Gauteng, pretoria, Dinokeng Game Reserve

2,000,000.00USD
For sale
Farmhouse

177000 m²
A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of paradise inside the Dinokeng game reserve. Dinokeng is a big 5 (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Leo...
Cod. 39723

For sale Bar/Restaurant/Nightclub, South Africa, Western Cape, Cape Town, 15 bree street

97,344.00USD
For sale
Bar/Restaurant/Nightclub

260 m²
I am the sole owner. I sell for family reasons (I move to Kenya for my wife's business reasons).
Cod. 38147

For sale Villa, South Africa, Gauteng, pretoria, Boschkoproad 369/21

270,400.00USD
For sale
Villa

640000 m²
Prime investment opportunity in upcoming market. Near Waterlake Farm and Silver Lakes villa for sale with 4 bedrooms, double garage, pool (4:12) with ...
An immaculate house with a unique and elegant style situated in a popular estate with a lot of amenities nearby. The house has got an open-plan living...
Cod. 37813

For sale Development Property, South Africa, Western Cape, Giorge, Blue Mountain Village

137,210.34USD
For sale
Development Property

170 m²
We Build Houses so that you can love Homes!
4 Bedroom house, double garage, kitchen, 2nd kitchen, dining area, living area, indoor barbeque/patio area, outside deck, 2 bathrooms. Beautifull esta...
2005-2024 REALIGRO REAL ESTATE LTD. All Rights Reserved - VAT Nr: 893969932
Neikos Digital Agency
  1. Preferences

    For a better use of Realigro website, set your preferences for language, currency, square meters or sq ft.

    Set now Don't show again
BB