Lifestyle
House swapping: the last-minute holiday hack that's saving Aussies thousands
Being open to house swapping might open up your world like it has for these two couples.
By Carolyn Tate
Need a holiday but haven't booked anything yet? You might want to think outside the box and try house swapping. Unlike traditional travel that requires months of advance planning and can cost thousands in accommodation, house swapping lets you trade your home for someone else's – often with surprisingly short notice when plans change or new opportunities come up.
House swapping is having a moment right now. Home Exchange memberships growing in New Zealand and Australia. They now have over 9,500 homes registered for swapping in Australia and nearly 3,000 in New Zealand.
The beauty of house swapping lies in its flexibility and affordability. You're not paying for accommodation, you're living in a real home with all the comforts that brings, and you're experiencing places like a local rather than a tourist.
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Sue Holmes, 64, from Mitcham, Victoria
Sue Holmes and her husband Steve have been house swapping for 17 years and they've turned it into an art form. They've completed swaps in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and across Australia.
"We love to travel," says Sue. "We don't have a lot of money but we're not going to stop ourselves from doing what we want to do." House swapping has solved that problem beautifully for the couple.
Their very first swap set the tone. "We answered an ad from somebody in England that was actually moving permanently to Australia and they had seven weeks to sell their house," Sue recalls. They ended up swapping for those seven weeks and extending their stay to help the owners, who have become lifelong friends.
One of their favourite swaps was in the Loire Valley, France.
"We loved that château. We were just very lucky that we had it for three weeks in the height of summer," recalls Sue. "It had a pool. It had a tennis court. It had a river that ran around the back."
But Sue's also open about the challenges. "You've got to accept that they're not going to keep their house like you keep yours," she says. "They're not going to have the same standards as you. And you've got to live with that."
Sue and Steve are strategic about their swaps, often doing simultaneous exchanges (when someone stays in your home at the same time you stay in theirs) when they travel with friends. They've also perfected the art of non-simultaneous swaps (where you might have someone stay in your house, during which you accrue points you can use later to stay in another home), which gives them even more flexibility.
For Sue, house swapping isn't just about free accommodation. "It's about getting to know people and getting to see what real life is like in those countries. Because we're not tourists."
Her advice for newcomers is simple and sensible: "Read everything. Look at all the photos. And don't be afraid to say no. If it's not right for you, you can always find something else."
Christine Jackson, 60s, from Casuarina Beach, NSW
Christine and Arthur Jackson have taken house swapping to extraordinary levels. Over 11 years, they've completed more than 70 swaps, including an ambitious six-month European adventure last year when Arthur was 84.
Their house swapping journey began when a family member suggested it. "Accommodation was generally the most expensive part of a holiday," Christine explains.
Their very first swap exceeded all expectations. "Our first swap was in Northern Ireland in an apartment at Gosford Castle. It was very grand to say the least," Christine recalls. But the real surprise came when the owner contacted them beforehand. "She was concerned the lighting may hinder us" because there was a film crew in the adjacent apartment. The crew were filming Game of Thrones, and Christine and Arthur were offered a tour of the set.
"As we were walking over to do so, I commented 'if they need an extra, I'd be willing,'" Christine laughs. "The gentleman laughed and said you may want to see the set prior to suggesting that. I quickly retracted my statement when we walked into Whore House!"
What surprised Christine most about house swapping was "the generosity of most of our hosts and the beautiful friendships that have developed. We have become such good friends with an Austrian couple that we now holiday with them."
The Jacksons have swapped in Ireland, the UK, Colorado, Italy, Singapore, Spain, France and Luxembourg. They've also enjoyed Australian swaps in Bargara, Coffs Harbour, Bright, Fraser Island and Bruny Island.
Managing 15 swaps in six months required serious organisation for the couple. "Transferring between each property also had its disadvantages, so I had to be super organised,” says Christine. “Thankfully one of my best friends is a travel agent, so she dutifully worked out our schedules and the best way to commute between properties."
Christine's advice for anyone considering house swapping is detailed and practical. "Firstly I always read everyone's blog and look at all their photos and reviews prior to sending a request. This way you can personalise it." She also recommends staying at the airport the night before departures when travelling between swaps. "This alleviates a lot of stress."
For the Jacksons, house swapping has become a way of life. They're already planning their next adventure: a swap in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada.
If you've been curious about house swapping but worried about the planning involved, these travellers show it can be more flexible, and spontaneous, than you might expect. Your next adventure could be just a swap away.
Feature image: iStock/Halfpoint
Tell us in the comments below: Have you ever house swapped? Would you?
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