The first thing to do is pick a suitable agency (see below for a list of websites). Membership ranges in price from $45 to $250 for a year's subscription. For that money you'll be able to:
- add your own "house profile" plus a selection of photos to the agency listings
- search all other house listings and contact potential exchangers.
Some agencies also publish a directory of local and foreign exchangers, where you can include a photo of your house and a selection of features. Find out when directories are printed and distributed and sign up with the agency beforehand to get the widest exposure.
Once you've settled on an agency, set up your profile. This usually includes a description of your home and neighbourhood, a list of features, a list of desired exchanges and a small blurb about yourself. All websites have room for photos to accompany your description (though the number and type of photos you can upload varies).
When you set up your profiles, make sure you:
- are concise and accurate - don't undersell or oversell your property
- say if there are pets to look after
- select your photos carefully and show good, clean shots of the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, bathroom, and exterior
- list local attractions - include a photo of any nearby beach or mountain if there's room.
Top dollar top houses
There's a rough match between the amount you spend on an agency and the type of house listed on the website. For example, high-end www.homeexchange.com generally offers suburban or holiday homes in sought-after neighbourhoods. You'll find alpine cottages in the Lake Ohau region among the New Zealand listings.
We found one free site - www.mindmyhouse.com - which is a combination house-swap and house-sit agency. Here you'll find basic homes in places like Gosport, England. There's usually some task required of the house-sitter or swapper, such as looking after the garden.
But basic doesn't mean boring. Our search of mindmyhouse.com uncovered an alpaca farm in Maryland ("previous experience with large animals not required, but desirable") as well as a cottage in the Swiss Alps - complete with a Bernese mountain dog.
Agency websites
- Home base holidays - www.homebase-hols.com
- Holswap - www.holswap.com
- Homelink International - www.homelinkinternational.co.nz
- Home exchange - www.homeexchange.com
- Mind my house - www.mindmyhouse.com
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