Decide when and where to vacation. Choose between visiting your usual destination or trying something new. Do you want to stay close to home or travel far away? Being as flexible as possible with dates will give you the most options.
Think about a specialized house exchange. Examples include home trades for doctors, teachers, the disabled, seniors and more; you may require a pet, car and phone exchange, too. See the Resource section for ideas.
Choose a free or fee-based global exchange site. Fee-based sites provide good customer feedback, but membership costs anywhere from $45 to $119 per year; for some, it may be worth the extra cost.
Create an online home profile. The more descriptive you are, the better the results. Add lots of pictures and a list of amenities. Vacationers usually love to barbecue and relax in the sun, so if you have a grill and a hammock, list them.
Browse homes as your listing becomes active and identify a few desirable choices. Ask the owner about the neighborhood or area, cleaning costs and insurance liability. See Resources for a list of frequently asked questions.
Draw up a thorough contract after communicating in depth. E-mail and phone conversations are helpful, but a video chat device will give you the opportunity to view the owner and the home.
If required, don't forget to pack linens and towels. You should also provide the trade family with an emergency phone list.
