'The Home Exchange Guide: How to Find Your Free Home Away From Home'

Further Information on 'The Home Exchange Guide'

Authors: M.T. Simon and T.T. Baker

Number of Pages: 187

Publication Date: November 2003

Publisher: Poyeen Publishing, 2901 Clint Moore #265, Boca Raton, FL 33496, USA

Tel: 1-561 892-0494

The following reviews, written from different perspectives, are included for additional information:

Review by a Professional Writer

The authors have compiled an extensive guidebook, the first of its kind, telling readers all they need to know about how to find a wonderful, free place to stay almost anywhere in the world, by offering their own home in a holiday exchange. The book details how to go about finding the homes in the place you desire to go, what questions to ask, how to make all the arrangements and set up your own home for the safe exchange. You'll learn about perks you can offer or expect, such as car exchange, etc. Authors also cover how to handle disappointments, what to do in emergencies, and how to leave the home as you hope they will leave yours. Such a home exchange frees up your money to be spent on nice extras instead of lodging, for a super vacation almost anywhere you dream of. Although the book does not list the homes for exchange, you will find a great listing of websites and places to find the homes listed and to list your own. For travelers who find the idea of a home exchange appealing, this book is an indispensable guide which covers almost any aspect you could think of.

Bonnie Neely, Real Travel Adventures - free online travel magazine with hundreds of features & photos

Review by Home Swappers Newsletter Editor

A detailed, objective and up-to-date guide to the process of arranging a successful home exchange has been long over due. It is for this reason we welcome the publication of ‘The Home Exchange Guide’ by experienced home exchangers, M.T. Simon and T.T. Baker. As far as we are aware, this is the only English language title on home exchange in print (at the time of writing, 2 Nov '03), specifically addressing the issue of swapping homes using the Internet. The book covers the subject in a methodical and easy to read manner, with useful summaries at the end of each chapter for quick reference.

The first section of the book addresses how to decide if home exchange would suit you, followed by suggestions on finding an exchange (considering a number of factors including the ‘freshness’ of exchange offers available, i.e. a way to see how long listings are in circulation, and the balance of listings in countries or areas you would like to visit). The second half of the book deals with arranging and preparing for an exchange and, finally, settling in at the exchange home and tying up any loose ends after an exchange is over.

Do note that this book was written as a practical guide rather than as a descriptive travelogue. Inevitably, in aiming to cover the practical aspects of home swapping thoroughly, a number of ‘what if’ scenarios are included that may alarm readers new to the idea. The majority of exchanges are problem free and any difficulties generally minor but more serious problems are also addressed in the book so that exchangers are better prepared in the very unlikely event they are faced with such a problem.

The authors rightly emphasise that the most successful home exchanger is most likely to have devoted much time and effort to the arrangements (and been as flexible as possible on dates and destinations), from pro-actively contacting others to suggest an exchange (personalised messages of course!) to taking a good deal of care in communications before and during the exchange to avoid misunderstandings. What may not come across to readers new to home exchange is that this time and effort spent should not be a drudgery at all but rather a part of the fun of anticipating an exchange in which the whole family can often take part.

The authors of ‘The Home Exchange Guide’ are American and the book is addressed primarily to American readers. However, ignore the very brief point that implies that exchangers from the USA may have particular concerns on standards of cleanliness and tidiness in homes in another country (no nationality has a monopoly on the good housekeeping gene!) and, wherever you live, the book will be an excellent reference source to dip into as needed, whether you are considering an exchange for the first time or are already an experienced home swapper.

Lois Sealey, Editor, Home Swappers Newsletter, London, UK

Review by an Experienced Home Exchanger

My general impression after one complete read through was ambivalent. The first section of the book, dealing with deciding to exchange and setting out the particulars of your house, put me off. The second section of the book dealing with actual exchanges, however, contained information which would be useful to any exchanger. Had I been introduced to exchanging via this book it is unlikely that I would have proceeded.

In the first section of the book the prime reason for home exchanging is free accommodation. To achieve this it is implied that it will be necessary to spend a considerable amount of time and energy setting out the details of the property available to swap and then in trying to find someone to swap with. It will also be necessary to fill in numerous schedules and questionnaires covering your house and your personal life and family and to provide photos of your house and prepare details which effectively sell the property and the area to other potential exchangers. The overall impression of this first section is that it is a considerable chore but has to be gone through in order to get free accommodation.

My own experience as an exchanger was nothing like that. Certainly free accommodation is a huge bonus from the scheme but in my case, and I’m sure in many others, is not the prime reason. Home exchanging offers the benefit of a house as a base in any area rather than a hotel. The potential houses are located all over the world so an exchanger is to some extent only limited by his imagination. There is no doubt that those with nice houses in prime locations are more likely to be successful than others but finding somewhere to go is part of the enjoyment of the whole experience. In my case joining ready made organisations helped enormously to get the house details and the necessary personal details sorted. Photos help to sell your house so these were duly taken and digitised. Many exchangers have their own web pages which help to sell their house. It is also necessary to provide some idea of the amenities in your local area which might be attractive to exchangers. We have collected these as we travel around our area and indeed has made us look at our own local area in a totally different light. In short it is necessary to spend some time and effort getting it right but it is a generally enjoyable time, not a chore.

The second part of the book deals with actual exchanges. Here the tone is quite different. This section contains much that is useful even to experienced exchangers. We were lucky that our first exchange was with an experienced exchanger and they were able to educate us in what needed to be done. The book covers all these items and more. It outlines what you need to agree regarding payment of bills etc while on the exchange, and what you should do before you leave your house to go and before you leave the exchangers' house prior to your return. It covers letters that have to be left for the exchangers giving them permission to live in the house and to use your car, obtaining emergency telephone numbers, not just for the emergency services, but also for plumbers and garage mechanics, etc., which hopefully will not be needed, but just might, during the exchange.

My overall impression of the book is not encouraging. The first part is off-putting in its tone and this impression is carried through. Although the listings in the second section are useful, I do not believe that this book would encourage many people to take up the interesting and exciting pastime of home exchanging.

AD Murray is an experienced home exchanger and a member of Home Base Holidays

View the Murrays’ attractive home swap offer: home located in a small village overlooking a lake in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, England

Review by a Home Swappers Newsletter Subscriber

The stated intent of 'The Home Exchange Guide' is to spread the word about home exchange by providing a 'how to' book. This objective has been clearly attained with flying colors.

For someone considering home exchange as an optional way of organizing travel accommodation, I found it to be an exceptional source of information and advice. The book has 186 pages organized into fifteen chapters with an extensive appendix and index. The materials are presented in an easy to read format with the Table of Contents facilitating access to sections of interest. I found the book to be well organized with references throughout and even chapter summaries.

The chapters covering the pros & cons of home exchange I found to be especially informative in deciding whether to consider this option. There is a section with a very thorough compilation of organizations that helps enormously in deciding which company to list with. Once the decision to proceed with a home exchange is made, the Guide offers thorough advice and instruction on each step. The section on writing a description of your property is especially useful. The book is particularly strong in offering informative advice once contact is made with someone offering an exchange. There are sample emails, letters and checklists.

I found 'The Home Exchange Guide' to be very helpful for anyone, novice or experienced home exchanger, in providing timely information and advice. It is a handy, useful and comprehensive guide.

Dwight Botnen, from British Columbia, Canada, is a Home Swappers Newsletter subscriber who has not, at the time of writing, had a home swap vacation.

Any Questions on the book? Contact Poyeen Publishing