| Home exchanges (or home swaps) have been | | | | the benefits are even greater. Rental cars can be |
| around for a very long time, but recently they have | | | | very expensive, and you can never be sure of what |
| been made much easier with the popularity of | | | | you will get -- or even if your car will be ready when |
| exchange websites. If you've heard about this unique | | | | you try to pick it up. The luxury of having a car |
| approach to vacation homes but aren't sure if they're | | | | available to you with no rental charges is a very |
| for you, here's some helpful information that will | | | | valuable part of the home exchange experience. Not |
| outline the four biggest benefits. | | | | everyone decides to do this, but it's certainly worth |
| 1. Save Money on Vacation Lodging | | | | asking your home swap partner if they would like to. |
| The cost factor is definitely important. This is | | | | 4. Living Another Life for a While |
| probably the number-one reason for doing a home | | | | Finally, home exchange allows you to escape into |
| exchange instead of renting a hotel room. While | | | | another life for a while, if that's your goal. Going to |
| swapping homes is not 100% free, the costs | | | | another part of the world, stepping into someone |
| involved are negligible. There is a small membership | | | | else's home and their life, can really give you a new |
| fee that you will pay in order to look at listings and | | | | perspective on things. Whether you are escaping |
| list your own home on a home exchange site. You'll | | | | from a stressful job or just need a break from |
| need to pay for your own food and other daily | | | | things, there is nothing better than exploring new |
| necessities of life, but most of those would be | | | | surroundings -- nothing, that is, other than being |
| normal for any vacation, regardless of where you are | | | | greeted at the end of the day by a warm and |
| staying. | | | | comfortable house that is much more inviting than an |
| 2. A Unique Perspective on Your Destination | | | | impersonal hotel room. |
| Another big draw for many people is seeing a | | | | This unique approach to vacationing is certainly not |
| different side of that place you're in. While anyone | | | | for everyone. Some people enjoy the full-service |
| can go to a new city and stay in the biggest hotel in | | | | atmosphere of a hotel. But more often these days, |
| the middle of the downtown area, not many people | | | | travelers are looking for a more personal place to |
| can stay in a home in a quiet neighborhood that is far | | | | stay when they are away from home. When you |
| removed from the daily business and tourist activities | | | | have a warm, friendly, private place to go to at the |
| surrounding most hotels. If you are looking for a | | | | end of the day, it makes your entire vacation feel |
| comfortable home atmosphere, there is no better | | | | more relaxed. Knowing that your home is providing |
| way to get that than staying in an actual home. | | | | the same type of experience for someone else is |
| 3. The "Whole Package" Concept | | | | just icing on the cake. |
| If you decide to exchange cars along with houses, | | | | |