Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

Taking a Pet on a Home Exchange Holiday

Q: We live in a two bedroomed terrace house and wish to house swop mainly in Europe but with a small well behaved dog. Is this possible? - Estelle

A: Yes, it is possible to take a dog on a home exchange with you provided, of course, that you have the home owner's permission and take care of all the necessary requirements for taking your dog to Europe.

When browsing current exchange offers, you will see in the full listings that one of the headings is 'Conditions of Exchange'. If you see 'No Pets' with a tick beside it in listings, avoid contacting such members as there will be a reason that they don't want pets in their homes (perhaps they want their own pets cared for at home during an exchange, a family member may have allergies to animals - or they just prefer to keep their homes pet-free).

You will find many members who haven't ticked the 'No Pets' box and it is well worth contacting these members with your exchange offer, explaining that you would like to bring your small well behaved dog with you and would ensure you followed any restrictions on where your dog would be allowed in their home if they agreed to swap homes with you. Also include this information in your own listing - you may find a member who would like to do the same, i.e. bring their pet with them to your home.

The other alternative, if you can bear to be parted from your little dog (and I know how hard that is!), is to exchange with members who agree to care for your dog in your home in return for pet care while you are in their home.

Last Minute Offers: Extra Circulation When Home Exchange Dates are Close

Although it is always best to start looking for possible home exchanges well in advance of the time you want to swap homes, there are always a few Home Base Holidays members whose dates are getting close without an exchange agreed. Members can boost their exchange offers (but only after at least a week of their join dates) by adding their listings to the additional Last Minute Offers list. This is, of course, not a substitute for making an effort to browse listings regularly and contact other members with an exchange offer without delay, but it is an additional method of publicising an offer when getting anxious to arrange an exchange for a specific period.

Here are just a few Last Minute Offers listings for members looking for exchanges late spring/summer this year at the time of writing (note: listings automatically come off this list at the end of a month to ensure only those genuinely still looking for exchanges in the near future are included):

MEUDON, PARIS ILE DE FRANCE, FRANCE - 4 story, 280 square meters home built in 1904. Meudon is a very close suburb southwest of Paris, much sought after by French families. We have a view from our front window and patio of the beautiful Rodin home and museum workshop. Exchange wanted in San Francisco Bay area. Full listing, HE16663

GOLDEN GROVE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA - modern 4 BR home, great location 30 mins from city, beach, hills; 45 mins to famous wine regions, the Barossa Valley and the Clare Valley. Exchange wanted in England. Full listing, HE16277

INISTIOGE, KILKENNY, IRELAND - 2km from a beautiful village called Inistioge which is surrounded by the river Nore and 4000 acres of woodland, streams and waterfall. Our nearest city is 24km away (Kilkenny city). Hospitality exchange wanted, open to offers. Full listing, HE16566

LONDON SW18, ENGLAND - spacious and comfortable house with lots of character situated in quiet, tree lined street in sought after residential area in south west London. Easily walkable distance from two underground stations and bus routes providing easy access to central London. Exchange wanted in USA, Canada, Australia or South Africa plus open to offers. Full listing, HE16142

CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA - Modern (2000) 1750 sq ft. home in well established neighbourhood. Close to walking/biking paths along the river. Trendy shops and restaurants all within 5-10 minute walk. 10 minute drive to city centre and the exhibition grounds for the Calgary Stampede which runs July 8 to 17, 2005. Exchange wanted in Southern England plus open to offers. Full listing, HE16267

If you are already a Home Base Holidays member, log on to your member area, find the listing you are interested in by the User ID shown - and send the member an exchange offer.

Not yet a member? View the full listings (without contact details) by clicking the link at the end of each listing. Or browse all current Last Minute Offers. Then, join Home Base Holidays and send your exchange offer to the members whose listings are of interest.

Moving to a New Area to Attract Many Home Exchange Offers

Q: Hi, I used to be a member and had a good home exchange.

I will retire soon and want to do many more home exchanges. I will not continue living here in Denver and since I'm going to move anyway, I want to move to a place where it's very attractive to home exchangers so I can get lots of offers. I'm guessing Hawaii is the best? Any advice from you on the top places people want to exchange to is welcome. Thanks in advance for any tips. - B.

A: Glad to hear you had a good exchange. Yours is a tricky question! Hawaii is a popular home swap destination and you would most certainly find much interest in your exchange offer if you decide to move there. I take it that you plan to move within the USA? Many areas of the USA are popular but, particularly with Europeans (especially the British), probably the most requested destinations (of those who aren't 'open to any US offers') are: Florida, California (especially San Francisco and Southern California along the coast), New York City and the New England states. Generally, beach locations and major cities are very popular with home exchangers.

Once you are retired, you are likely to be much more flexible on dates and lengths of exchanges which will increase your exchange possibilities considerably. Are you fairly open on exchange destinations you will consider yourself? If you have specific destinations in mind for future exchanges, do some research by browsing current Home Base Holidays listings in those countries or areas to check for the most requested destinations - this should help you decide where you might move to optimise your exchange opportunities.

'Free House - House Swaps Make Pocket-Friendly Holiday Options': 'Prudence' Magazine Article

'Prudence', described as 'a new kind of magazine for feisty Irish females', published an excellent article on home exchange in the April 2005 issue. Zoë Clarke's article begins:

'You plan your much-needed two week holiday to the sun and close the door behind you as you head to the airport. But what if, while you were away, a complete stranger was living in your house, using your bathroom or even worse, sleeping in your bed? Unless you are an unfortunate target of a burglary you are more likely to be house swapping, the cheap alternative way to holidaying abroad.'

and ends:

'If holidaying in a villa in Mexico is something you always dreamed about but lacked the funds to ever make it a reality, this (home exchange) is the best option for you. .... With so many low cost airlines offering cheap flights the dream could become a reality. So start swapping and get holidaying!'

Note: if you read the full article, 'Free House' in 'Prudence', the Home Base Holidays website address given at the end of the article is incorrect. It should be: www.homebase-hols.com

More Homes With Beautiful Views Available for Home Swaps: Hong Kong, Canada, England, The Netherlands

And these are just from the latest home exchange offers! Browse all listings for homes currently available.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong - 700 sq ft top floor apartment (+ 700 sq ft roof with spectacular views) on Cheung Sha beach, South Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Considered the best find in this quiet, rural part of Hong Kong. Full description, HE16618

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - our modern, three level home is located in a park-like setting on the North West Arm (Atlantic Ocean). Enjoy the lovely view of the ocean and wonderful sunsets from the second level deck. You will also see harbour seals, sea otters and bald eagles feeding in the evening. Full description, HE16640

Sedburgh, Cumbria, England - a spacious Victorian family house in Sedbergh, a market town in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Spectacular surrounding scenery, and just 10 miles from Kendal and the Lake District; ideal as a centre for touring Lakes and Dales. Full description, HE13113

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 4-room apartment with beautiful view, 5th floor harbourside, in Docklands-style development area, 5 minutes bus ride from Amsterdam Central Station. Full description, HE10127

Home Exchange Homes With Beautiful Views: Australia, Scotland, USA, Wales, Denmark

Many Home Base Holidays members live in homes with beautiful or dramatic views. A few samples from very recent home exchange offers:

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - modern home in quiet suburban area in the foothills of Mts Glorious and Nebo, 20 mins from the city of Brisbane. 5 mins from Brisbane Forest Park - abundant birdlife and 30 kms of walking trails. Full description, HE16635

Isle of Eigg, Scotland - my house is situated with the most stunning views of the open sea to the mainland and mountains beyond. The island is about 6 miles X 4 with the Scurr a mile long ridge of columnar basalt. Gorgeous beaches, cliffs, caves, wildlife, peace and tranquility. Full description, HE16694

Castro Valley, California, USA - nestled in the hills, with wonderful view of San Francisco bay, lovely spacious, family friendly home, with pool and spa, can sleep 4 or more. Full description, HE16653

Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, Wales - an apartment overlooking the harbour, 2 minutes walk from the beach, train station just across the road, linking you to Cardiff/London. Full description, HE16729

Augustenborg, Als, Denmark - our house, built in 1897, is located on an island called Als connected to the south east of Jutland with 2 bridges. From our balcony you can see the yacht harbour ½km away. We have a view over the inner fjord of Augustenborg. Full description, HE16576