Families Turn To House Swapping For Holidays

Affording a holiday during the credit crunch takes some creative thinking – thus a new trend of house swapping has sprung up, started by hard-up homeowners who are shunning pricey resorts and swapping their homes with strangers for that bargain break instead…

Brits are increasingly turning to camping and caravanning holidays in an attempt to combat the credit crisis. However, swapping homes is another type of holiday that has increased hugely in popularity since the global economy went pear shaped.

In order to have a successful house swapping experience – which literally entails handing over your home to a stranger for a few weeks whilst you stay in theirs – you must be able to get past the stranger phobia and trust them.

If the thought of leaving your home, your possessions and your car in the hands of a total stranger strikes the fear of God into you, then this phenomenon of house swapping is probably best left untapped.

For those that do fancy it, it can be a fabulous experience. You get to enjoy a new town or country in a way that you never would if you were following the tourist trail and staying in a sterile hotel. In effect, you get to experience life as a resident rather than a visitor and the close overlap between house swapping and emigration shows it can be a great way to road-test life in a chosen country before committing to a permanent move.

Aside from these attractions, the recession has shone a spotlight onto this ‘free’ method of booking a holiday. House swapping totally wipes out the cost of accommodation and car hire and if you wanted to rent a holiday property of the same standard as your own home, it would cost a fortune.

UKHolidaySwapShop.co.uk, the website that puts people in touch to swap their UK property for holidays and short breaks, said, “Adversity, in this case economic, can bring people together,” says Dave Wiltshire, who founded the site with his wife Jackie.

“Over the last year there has been a surge in swapping sites, where people try to save money by exchanging goods and services.

“Not only does this make financial sense, it is giving rise to a new culture of co-operation and community.”

“Most people, and especially most families, view at least one annual holiday as essential, and will continue to do so however tight the money gets.

“If you swap your home, accommodation is free. You get the luxury of a home from home,” the couple added.

The number of properties in the UK being added to the site over the last few months has shot up as people look for new ways to holiday within their means. UKHolidaySwapShop.co.uk has town houses by the coast in Brighton and remote Cumbrian farmhouses up for swapping.

It’s not just bricks and mortar that are up for exchange. Houseboats, yachts and deluxe camper-vans are also on offer on various home swapping sites, including Home Base Holidays.

News submitted by Dan Johnson, The Move Channel

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