Love Home Swap

Love Home Swap

Millions of Australians are keen to replicate the home swapping experience seen in the Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet movie 'The Holiday", according to an independent research poll commissioned by new home exchange website, Love Home Swap (www.LoveHomeSwap.com).  The survey  shows that while more than half (53%) of respondents were concerned about being able to afford a holiday this Christmas, some 850,000 Australians have already taken part in home swap holidays and a further 1 in 2 (51%) are eager to swap their homes for vacations over the next 12 months, both in Australia and abroad.   

The research coincides with today's launch of Love Home Swap, an international home exchange website that allows people to enjoy free vacations through lovely home exchanges around the world – for an initial trial offer of only $1 for 4 weeks' membership.

Love Home Swap marks the coming of age for home exchange for vacations.  While millions of people around the world have been home swapping through friends and family, until now, only those in the know could find their dream swap vacations via the web. Now Love Home Swap is empowering holidaymakers all around the world by putting money back in their pockets and connecting them with the best community of home swaps ever assembled.

'Love Home Swap is part of a revolution in social travel – why book an expensive hotel or villa when you can stay in lovely homes for free and swap as many times as you like, wherever you like?" says Love Home Swap founder Debbie Wosskow. 

According to Debbie, the current economic climate around the world makes home swapping the best choice for affordable getaways around the world, with the average home swapper saving $2,000 per vacation, while holidaying like a local, rather than a tourist.

'It's very common for swaps to include cars, kids' toys, ski equipment etc so the savings can be much higher," says Debbie.   'You then get to holiday like an insider and swap as many times as you like – for less than the cost of a single night in a hotel or villa.  The result is that 62 percent of our members are able to holiday more frequently, and for longer periods."

Thousands of homes of all shapes and sizes are available on Love Home Swap in some 70 countries in every corner of the globe.  From small and stylish, to large and luxurious, homes listed include villas in Phuket, cabins in Patagonia, lofts in New York, beach houses in Byron Bay and even castles in France.

'We've just done eight swaps in a row over three months through Love Home Swap while on a European tour," says Love Home Swap member Nat who swapped his three bedroom home on the secluded Keswick Island in the Whitsundays.  'The site has been fantastic and has literally saved us thousands on our travels through France and to the Greek Islands.  Our next swap will be in South Australia as we can't wait to explore some of our own country after spending so much time abroad."

Debbie Wosskow offers the following tips on how to make your home exchange a successful one:

Spend time making your listing look lovely: Think online dating as a comparison! Add lots of lovely photos and sell the benefits of your home.

Communication is key: Members can sometimes exchange up to 10 or 20 messages via the site to confirm a home swap vacation.  A phone or Skype call is also recommended, as it can definitely helps swappers to get to know each other and the properties involved. We also make available an Agreement form, which many of members like to use.

Inform your insurance company: Before you swap, make sure you inform your insurance company of your upcoming house swap.  Most companies prefer for people to be staying in your home, rather than it being left empty, but take out any extra cover if you need to.

Be thoughtful: Remember to be a good host! Ensure your home is tidy before your swap partner arrives and stocked up on basics such as nice kitchen staples and clean linen.

Be sensible: Lock away any precious items before you go. That said, you will have to be a little relaxed about things – you can't pack up the whole house and remember, you're staying in their house as well so the trust is two-way.

In addition to Love Home Swap, those looking for premium service - including a dedicated travel team to help you find the swaps you want, five-star concierge service for while you're on vacation and access to travel benefits that can save you thousands of dollars - can sign up to Love Home Swap's gold service – Luxe Home Swap.

Love Home Swap offers a 4-week trial for just $1 after which membership costs $175 per year or $350 per year for access to the Luxe membership level, for an unlimited number of home swaps. For more information, or to book your next home swap vacation, visit www.LoveHomeSwap.com