The holiday house-swap: What's it really like to share homes for summer?

We’d poured our hearts into our home so couldn’t have imagined letting complete strangers stay there (I used to mop up water marks on our wooden countertops religiously so you can imagine my horror at leaving them in someone else’s hands!).

Once our kids came along though, we were nowhere near as precious about it. The couch has seen it all, from chocolate smears to ‘accidents’, and the walls have racked up their fair share of crayon marks. The wooden countertops are lucky if they get a mop at all these days! 

So, when it came to allowing strangers essentially move in, we were more open to it.

How it works

Friends on our road introduced us to the idea of house swapping. They’d been doing it for years and had clocked up an impressive travel résumé, visiting everywhere from Paris and Madrid to Minnesota and even trading cars along the way. 

Our wanderlust kicked in last summer and with accommodation prices through the roof, we decided to give it a try ourselves.

So how does it work? We signed up to HomeExchange.com for a flat fee of €160 (other sites include People Like Us and Home4Home). This gives you access to their property database for a full year and every exchange is absolutely free. 

You have to set up a profile with photos and a description (this can actually take a while as you’re trying to make your house look presentable), verify your account for added security and then you can search away.

The type of exchanges

A straight swap is as it seems: you go to a member’s home, and they come to yours at the same time. You literally swap homes. 

You can also choose to do a non-simultaneous swap, where you go to their home and agree for them to visit your home at a different time, when you won’t be there.

Another option is to use guest points which gives you a bit more flexibility. Y

ou can build guest points by allowing other exchangers to stay in your house, for example if you’re visiting family elsewhere and not doing a direct swap — guests give you points to stay in your home. You can then use them to stay elsewhere down the line.

What’s involved beforehand

When you realise someone else is going to be sitting on your couch in the evenings and eating dinner at your table, you start to see your house through fresh eyes. And you realise it’s time to visit Woodies! 

We’d been in our home eight years and hadn’t gone near it with a paint brush since we moved in (we weren’t great at dusting either to be fair) so it needed a serious clean. And some touch ups. 

The bathroom walls were looking a bit grubby, grand for us, but I’d have been mortified letting someone else stare at them. 

You can get carried away trying to make it look perfect but, in some ways, it was the push we needed to give the house a much-needed spruce up (and once that initial deep clean is done, it’s way easier with each exchange). 

But the thing about home exchange is you thankfully don’t expect perfection, it’s a home you’re staying in, not a hotel.

The realities of exchanging

Is it strange the thought of someone sleeping in your bed? Yes! Most definitely. But I try to comfort myself by remembering you’re sleeping in someone else’s bed and have slept in the same bed as countless people when you stay in a hotel or Airbnb.

It can also be nerve-wracking giving the keys of your precious home to absolute strangers. Most people’s initial response when we tell them we did a house swap is, ‘was your house okay?!’. And it was. Probably cleaner in fact (it’s such a novelty coming home to a tidy house).

You get to know these people in the weeks before the swap, arranging logistics and sharing info and tips. Guests have reviews or have been sponsored, and, like us, when you’re in someone else’s home, you want to look after it. The last thing anyone wants is to damage someone’s property.

The downfalls

There are some downsides to a house swap besides worrying about wrecking someone’s place. It can be full on! Instead of just packing for a holiday, you’re prepping your home as well, like making space in your wardrobe and scrubbing the fridge.

You can’t just dash out the door with an unmade bed, laundry piles and general chaos. It has to be ready for guests, so it’s tough going that week before with all the tidying. 

And then there’s the madness the morning of the trip; trying to change sheets and get dishes away instead of just leaving them piled on the draining board. But it is so worth it when you land in your new pad in another part of the country or world.

Getting to travel light

It’s also extremely handy in some ways. We have a toddler so packing can be lengthy and bulky. You need a lot as most parents will know. But the beauty of home exchange is you can swap homes with families with a similar set up to you.

We used guest points to visit Amsterdam during the summer and the family that hosted us had two boys of similar ages so we arrived to a gorgeous apartment with tons of toys (ones they weren’t used to — bonus!) and they had a cot, high chair and buggy for us to use. 

They even had bikes with seats for the boys that we could borrow if we fancied exploring Amsterdam like locals.

They’d kindly left out some local treats like Stroopwafels for the boys (much to their delight!) and a bottle of vino for us too. The whole set up was amazing. 

The toys were a major plus — it kept the kids busy in the morning while everybody got ready instead of sharing a couple of bits we’d just about rammed into the suitcase.

The upside

We wouldn’t be able to afford to go on as many holidays if we were forking out for accommodation. 

But over the last year we’ve had several trips because all we’ve had to cover was travel. 

It’s a brilliant way to see the world, and there’s more to it than just saving a few quid.

Living like a local

Another benefit is all the useful information exchangers have on the area. 

We put together a booklet where we shared places of interest, both locally and in Dublin for our guests, and things like the best place to get a good coffee, pizza, brunch etc.

And we’ve found it so handy having similar info at our fingertips when we’ve been in other people’s home. 

You’re essentially living like a local and it saves you from trying out a dodgy coffee spot or getting a disappointing lunch. 

Plus, you’ve someone to water your plants if need be or mind your cat or dog, potentially.

Happy exploring

You can get a lot of requests so it can be time consuming — thankfully there’s a generic ‘no thank you’ template you can just click if you’re not interested. 

But it can also give you some food for thought — and entice you to places that might not have been on your radar. 

I couldn’t get over some of the stunning homes we’ve been offered; apartments in central Paris, a Brownstone in Brooklyn and even a villa in Guadeloupe in the Caribbean (now that was tempting but the flight prices brought us back to reality!).

If you’re fond of your interiors, poring through the houses on the site is a great way to find your next potential destination.

We’ve booked London for our next trip (our little boys love Paddington Bear so we’re dying to get there and have a fab apartment in Blackheath with swimming pool lined up).

Now that we’ve had a taste of house swapping, I can’t see us going back to your typical holidays. Naturally, you save a fortune, but the little extras that come with an exchange are a big draw too. Now to figure out where to go on midterm…

What's on offer

House swap agencies and some sample properties:

HomeExchange 

HomeExchange has over 150,000 members in 145 countries and prides itself on being an affordable and safe way to travel the world. 

They have been facilitating home exchanges for over 30 years, promoting slower, more conscious travel that encourages authentic experiences.

The annual fee is €160 for a year of unlimited exchanges.

Spacious and stylish Zone 1 London apartment - sleeps 8 - 3 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms

Our flat is extremely spacious and well-designed. It has a large open plan kitchen, living area and bar. 

There's two balconies that can comfortably seat 4-6 with great views of the Shard and also the top of Tower Bridge. Everything has been refurbished to a high standard. 

Whether it's blackout curtains, USB sockets, a boiling water tap, or a wine fridge - our place has everything you need for a comfortable stay. 

It's a Zone 1 location that manages to retain a neighbourhood feel and is a haven for foodies and art lovers.

Home4Home

Based in Galway city, Home4Home was set up in July 2021. It's Ireland's first and biggest home swapping company, providing members with value-for-money holidays with all the comforts of your own home. 

They have a special introductory offer; €99 for your first year which gives you access to unlimited home exchanges in Ireland and abroad (normal price is €149 per property for 12 months).

Detached house in Querin, County Clare  - sleeps 6 - 4 bedrooms - 1 bathroom 

Our Willow wooden self-catering lodge is nestled in a wild orchard on the Wild Atlantic Way on the Northern shore of the Shannon Estuary on the Loop Head peninsula.

The house has four bedrooms, a south-facing kitchen/lounge, small washroom with handwash basin and toilet and separate shower room.

People Like Us

People Like Us is a home exchange community that values hospitality, trust, and friendship and allows members to experience local cultures and create authentic connections. 

Founded in 2018, they have over 10,000 homes in 120 countries and a five-star Trustpilot rating. The membership fee is USD $149 per annum for unlimited exchanges (Premium membership comes with a 30-day free trial).

Penthouse with amazing sea and mountain views in Sitio de Calahonda, Spain - sleeps 6 - 3 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms 

Our newly renovated penthouse has the most amazing views from rooftop terrace, living room, kitchen and bedrooms and is just made for 2024 living. If you're looking for a stay in the Costa del Sol, we're just a 10 minute drive from the beach and Costa night life. 

Our casa is at the mountain side in the very authentic and popular Calahonda, right between Marbella and Mijas. 

We're 20 minutes from the airport and 25 minutes from downtown Malaga. This is a gated community with private parking and three pools. Mi casa es tu casa!