Vacation Home "Swapping" is Latest Travel Trend

Home Swapping or Home Exchanges is a great way to use your primary or secondary home to lower your vacation expenses.

July 2, 2004

Question: How much should the typical baby boomer, secondary homeowner, be willing to pay for a week of comfortable vacation accommodations in a prime recreation area?

Answer: Nothing.

There are 7 million vacation homes in the United States alone, estimates the National Association of Realtors (NAR). These properties are owned primarily by baby boomers motivated by lifestyle considerations. These families are energized by sun, sand and mountain air. They work hard for their money and want to experience the world without breaking the bank. That is why more secondary homeowners "in the know" are turning to home exchange.

Home exchange provides no-cost accommodations by swapping your primary or secondary home with someone else's. You stay in their place; they stay in yours – and no money is exchanged. The payoff comes in the opportunity to experience a location like a local, have extra space and freedom and save money. With hotels in prime vacation recreation areas costing up to $200 or more per night, the money saved during a one week exchange could more than pay for the remainder of the family's vacation expenses. And since the primary motivations for second-home buying is recreation and location with ocean, river, lake, mountain, and other natural attractions topping the list, secondary homes tend to rank high on the desirability scale for home exchange aficionados.

NAR reports that the typical vacation home averages an occupancy rate of 8 weeks per year. "With a large number of vacation homes vacant 44 weeks per year, it’s no surprise that savvy homeowners are looking to leverage their desirable asset to travel more than ever before," says Helen Bergstein, founder and CEO of the Digsville Home Exchange Club (www.digsville.com). "Secondary/vacation home listings have increased every year and are now 20% of the Digsville home listing database. A vacation homeowner has more flexibility in arranging travel dates since the exchange can be non-simultaneous."

Home exchange or "swapping" as it is affectionately termed was a little known travel secret in academia since the 50's and has quietly grown to include exchangers of many professions and lifestyles. Why the swell of interest? According to Bergstein, the reasons vary. "Maybe it's the softening economy, the large number of secondary homeowners wanting more from their investment or the increase in independent travelers, or all three. Whatever the reason, home exchange is definitely on the rise. Instead of vacationing in an impersonal hotel room, it’s much more fun to 'stay at home'."

Helen Bergstein is a reputed expert on the subjects of hospitality and home exchange, an exploding niche in the travel industry. Major media outlets worldwide turn to Helen for information on the latest trends and the new face of travel in the 21st century. Helen is Founder and CEO of the Digsville Home and Hospitality Exchange Club (www.digsville.com), the world’s premiere home exchange service. Dubbed "the eBay of home exchange" by Travel + Leisure magazine, Digsville has transformed the small, exclusive home exchange community into a major travel trend with thousands of home listings in more than 53 countries.

If you would like more information about this topic, Helen B's 10 Tips for a Successful Home Exchange, or to schedule an interview with Helen Bergstein, please call (201) 659-5934 or e-mail Helen at HelenB@digsville.com.