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Becoming part of the sharing economy

by Diana Eden

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the cost of travel, there are several home exchange and housesitting services available that help reduce accommodation costs and are manageable and safe for older women. Since I am now widowed, I have a big house with guest quarters at the opposite end of the house from my bedroom. I have been a member of HomeExchange since the 1990s and love welcoming people who are here to visit my city of Las Vegas. I have welcomed guests from Rome, Berlin, several towns in France, Budapest, Merida (Mexico), and Brazil.

Through this service and those such as TrustedHousesitters.com, you can become part of the ‘sharing economy’ and a member of a travelling community, with connections all over the world.

My introduction to home exchanges

My introduction to the concept of home exchanging came in the 1990s. Back then, the company I used issued a massive Atlas-size directory of all its members with information about them and their houses. I signed up for a one-year membership for well under $100. Soon after, we heard from a family in France, with two children, Maxime, 8, and Celia, 5. who wanted to spend a week in Los Angeles and wondered if we could exchange our house with theirs.

My husband thought the idea ridiculous since we weren’t planning a trip to France any time soon, but, ever friendly and welcoming, he said, “Why don’t we invite them to stay with us anyway, in our guest room?”  The doubtful French Papa asked “Are you sure?” and we said, “Yes, just come!”

Crazy, you think? As it turned out, we had the most amazing week with them. The kids did not speak English but loved our two three-month-old kittens. Maman cooked us authentic French crepes, and Maxime and Celia painted original artwork menus for us. We were sad to see them go, but we stayed in touch. A few years later, we visited them in Brittany, and then Celia, now an adult, came and stayed with us for a week.

Another option: TrustedHousesitters.com

Joan Tetrault has been saving money on travel since 2022 when she put her things in storage and became a digital nomad, travelling to the UK, Europe and India. Her experiences have been with an organization called TrustedHousesitters.com. She stays between 5 days to 3 weeks in someone’s home for no cost to either party, other than transportation, in exchange for taking care of their pet. There is an annual membership fee of between US$149 and US$299 for three levels of membership.

Joan works remotely, so this program enables her to work anywhere and travel on a budget. She chooses her locations strategically and chooses places near public transport. She doesn’t find this life lonely and says “Walking a dog is a magnet for a conversation.” She has made many friends along the way.

Similar to HomeExchange.com, there are guarantees and insurances, so there are plenty of protections in case of cancellations or other things that might go wrong, on either side of the arrangement.

“It is an absolute plus to travel, especially here in the US, but also in Canada, the UK, and Australia, and to be able to live debt free for the first time in 20 years,” says Tetrault.

The concept of exchanging homes and hospitality

Over the years, I’ve continued the habit of offering hospitality to people I think would be interesting guests. Now of course, everything is digital and offerings are posted online on the HomeExchange.com website.

My recent HomeExchange guests Andreia Stanger and Batista Odegildo from Brazil told me they have spent vacations in Italy, Switzerland, and several locations in the US, including in Tennessee where a visit to Graceland was a must!

“It has been easy to find lovely places and only takes a few enquiries to get a positive answer,” they told me.

They stayed with me for five days, brought me lovely local gifts, taught me a few words of Portuguese and cooked a brilliant dinner for me.

The HomeExchange.com website states “More than a brand, we are committed to developing a community. People who are open to getting to know other travellers and experience a different perspective. People who firmly believe that welcoming others into their home is more than just offering a place to stay. It is about being open and caring, adventurous, and trusting.”

The pros and cons of home exchanges

Some find the concept of having strangers in their houses a shocking idea. When I wrote about this on Solo Travel Wisdom for Women Over 50 by JourneyWoman, one woman said, “My home is my sanctuary. I cannot imagine having strangers living in it.“

Other concerns expressed are whether guests will remember to lock the doors and set the alarm, whether children may break things, whether valuables could be at risk, whether guests might be a safety risk in their house, and most importantly, whether guests’ cleaning standards are up to their own.

There are answers to all these concerns. One does not need to exchange with people with children. One can put valuables (passports, documents, jewelry) in a locked closet. (If one has many valuable objects around the house, this may not be for you.) And as for cleaning, I find that guests leave your place clean as they hope to find theirs. 

Joan B. says: “I now work on the support help desk for one of the larger companies where I do come across the problems that can arise. The most common one by far is different standards of cleaning. Note that this almost always means the bench top wasn’t wiped down well enough, or the floor had been vacuumed but not mopped, that level of dissatisfaction. I’m not talking about stains on carpets or ripped furnishings. So I would say if you’re absolutely anal about perfection, then exchanging isn’t for you.”

Practical tips on a home exchange

HomeExchange.com has many policies in place to protect both partners in the exchange (and an SOS number to help with problems):

• Damage with insurance coverage of up to 1,000,000 for property damage. Plus, a $500 damage deposit is authorized for each exchange, just in case.
• Cancellation protection if your hosts cancel on you at the last minute and all your flights are booked and arrangements made. The company helps you find a new place and offers compensation of up to $840 per week if they can’t find a replacement exchange accommodation.
• There is a compliance guarantee if the accommodation doesn’t fit the home description. The SOS team will help find an alternative exchange or up to 6 days of paid accommodation if required.

Responsible travel

HomeExchange.com is not the only company to provide this service. ThirdHome.com, livekindred.com, and homelink.org and others are alternatives.

Travel blogger and Journeywoman Tracy Smyth says: “Home exchangers are a community of like-minded people. They will treat you as they would like to be treated. It is not money on the line; it is their own home.”

She continues: “Those involved seem to share my pursuit of authentic and responsible ways to discover new places, cultures, and people. Finding Home Exchange accommodations in prime locations off-season and unconventional destinations eases tourism pressures on the hot spots. (Guests) contribute to my local economy by buying groceries, visiting the market, and going out to restaurants.”

How to join the Home Exchange community

You can join the HomeExchange community by paying an annual fee of US$220 and putting up a listing for your house or apartment. The listing must contain a detailed description and plenty of photos of every room, plus outdoor space. When the home of someone else appeals to you, you send a message (within the website) to enquire about its availability.

There are four types of exchanges:

• Reciprocal Exchange: you stay in someone else’s home at the exact same time they stay in yours.
• Non-simultaneous Exchange: you do the same thing, but not at the same time
• Home Exchange Guest Points: If you have earned enough “guest points” by hosting people in your house, you can use those guest points to “pay” for staying in someone else’s house 
• Hospitality Exchange – this is where I started. It feels very safe and gives me the benefits without the anxiety.

How to join Trusted Housesitters

You can join the Trusted Housesitters platform by following these steps:

• Create a profile: Include photos, your personality, and previous pet care experience. 
• Complete verifications: Verify your email address, phone number, and ID. 
• Get external references: Request references from friends and family who know you well. 
• Choose an annual plan: This gives you unlimited access to the site. 
• Apply for sits: Use search filters to find sits by location, pet type, and date. 

As a house sitter, you’ll need to pay for your own food and transportation, but some owners may provide a car or allow you to walk the pet to the vet. 

With these services, you have a global community to visit and get to know for the price of one night in a hotel. It may take some getting used to, but once initiated, there is no turning back!

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