Fragile items<\/td> Are there certain items that require special attention?<\/td> Owners may prefer to put certain items away or explain how to use them.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\nThis list may seem long, but there\u2019s no need to turn it into a full-blown interrogation. Many of the answers can already be found in the ad or come up naturally during the conversation. <\/p>\n\n
For our part, we set up two conference calls before <\/strong>confirming, and then we created a WhatsApp group for final preparations and communication during the trip. These discussions helped us feel confident. <\/p>\n\nHow much did we save thanks to HomeExchange?<\/h2>\n\n We didn’t specifically compare the prices of all comparable rentals. However ,<\/strong> we estimate that a large family home with a pool near Montpellier, in the middle of July, would likely have cost us around \u20ac2,500\u2013\u20ac3,000<\/strong> for nearly two weeks. <\/p>\n\nWe didn’t pay any cleaning, key-drop-off, or accommodation fees. You just have to pay an annual membership fee to access the platform and the various coverage options (expect to pay about \u20ac180 for one year).<\/p>\n\n
\nThe savings on housing are clearly the main benefit we see. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
It allowed us to enjoy a house that was much larger and better equipped than what we would likely have booked on our usual budget.<\/p>\n\n
Of course, you have to factor in the time it takes to get your own home ready. But unlike the cost of staying in a hotel, this time also helps you tidy up, organize, and improve your home. <\/p>\n\n\nIs it reassuring to leave your home in the care of strangers?<\/h2>\n\n That was our biggest concern before we started. In the end, the choice of host family and the quality of our interactions made all the difference. <\/p>\n\n
We didn’t accept the first proposal simply because the destination was appealing. We read the reviews, discussed it for several weeks, and held two calls. We wanted to make sure that both sides’ expectations were aligned. <\/p>\n\n
We had also set specific criteria in our listing. We would only accept people associated with the HomeExchange account, with no additional friends or family members staying in the house. We requested a fairly long stay during the summer and were looking for families who would take good care of our primary residence. <\/p>\n\n
HomeExchange also provides guarantees for completed exchanges involving active members, including assistance, a security deposit for certain types of damage, and coverage for property damage in accordance with the platform’s terms and conditions. We were unable to test this feature. <\/p>\n\n
What are the benefits of HomeExchange for families?<\/h2>\n\n After this first experience, what we\u2019ve learned most of all is:<\/p>\n\n
\nsignificant savings on <\/strong>the travel budget;<\/li>\n\n\n\na house that’s much larger than a typical rental; <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\nreal spaces for children<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\ntoys<\/strong> that are already available<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\nbaby supplies (if available);<\/li>\n\n\n\n a fully equipped kitchen;<\/li>\n\n\n\n personal advice<\/strong> from a family that knows the region very well;<\/li>\n\n\n\na more welcoming experience than an impersonal rental.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nWith young children, everyday comfort is incredibly important. Having a high chair, a bed, toys, and suitable rooms allowed us to travel much lighter. <\/p>\n\nThings to Know Before You Get Started<\/h2>\n\n However, HomeExchange requires more effort than booking a hotel or a traditional rental. Here are the main considerations to keep in mind before getting started: <\/p>\n\n
\nCreate a comprehensive listing:<\/strong> Take high-quality photos, provide an accurate description of your home, list the amenities in detail, and describe the surrounding area.<\/li>\n\n\n\nResponding to inquiries:<\/strong> A home located in a popular destination can receive a lot of inquiries. Between February and May, we sometimes spent a lot of time reading and responding to messages. <\/li>\n\n\n\nFinding the right destination:<\/strong> Just because you receive a lot of requests doesn\u2019t mean they match what you\u2019re looking for. We turned down a lot of offers because the destinations weren\u2019t right for us. <\/li>\n\n\n\nBe flexible:<\/strong> If you\u2019re looking for a very specific location during a set week, you may sometimes need to send out many requests. Being flexible with your dates or agreeing to a swap for GuestPoints can open up more possibilities. <\/li>\n\n\n\nTake the time to communicate:<\/strong> Talk with the other family, read their comments, schedule several calls if necessary, and clarify all the details before confirming.<\/li>\n\n\n\nPrepare your home:<\/strong> Clear out storage spaces, make room in the refrigerator, put away personal items, and lay out sheets, towels, and a welcome booklet.<\/li>\n\n\n\nSet aside several hours for cleaning:<\/strong> Before the guests arrived, we cleaned our house more thoroughly than we usually do. You should also agree on the level of cleaning expected at the end of the stay. <\/li>\n\n\n\nBe willing to share your personal space:<\/strong> other people will use your kitchen, sleep in your bedrooms, and live among your belongings. This requires a certain degree of flexibility and, above all, choosing a family you feel comfortable with. <\/li>\n\n\n\nClarify the details in the listing:<\/strong> whether pets are usually allowed, the exact location of the air conditioning, the noise level, or cleaning instructions should be addressed directly before confirming the reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nThis preparation takes time, but it allows you to leave with greater peace of mind. As for us, we also had the pleasure of coming home to a house that was perfectly clean and tidy. <\/p>\n\n
Our thoughts on HomeExchange after this first stay<\/h2>\n\n As you can imagine, we loved our first experience. We spent almost two weeks in a large house with a pool\u2014perfect for our kids\u2014without paying for lodging. <\/p>\n\n
The family was lovely, helpful, and very accommodating. They responded quickly to our questions, gave us plenty of recommendations, and took good care of our house in Ol\u00e9ron. As for us, we felt right at home in Saint-Dr\u00e9z\u00e9ry. <\/p>\n\n
So we\u2019ll definitely do it again. We probably won\u2019t limit ourselves to reciprocal exchanges anymore, since stays redeemed with GuestPoints open up a whole new world of possibilities. <\/p>\n\n
Why sign up with a HomeExchange referral code?<\/h2>\n\n Using a referral code costs you nothing and lets you start with extra GuestPoints<\/strong>. With our code POURQUOIPASNOUS<\/strong>, you\u2019ll typically receive 250 GuestPoints when you sign up<\/strong>\u2014 enough for<\/strong> about two nights, depending on the value of the accommodation you choose. <\/p>\n\nThrough September 30, 2026<\/strong>, the offer is boosted to 500 GuestPoints<\/strong>. For us, this referral program also allows us to earn GuestPoints to organize future exchanges. It\u2019s a win-win situation for everyone, with no additional cost on top of the membership fee. <\/p>\n\n\nIf you’d like to try out the concept for yourself, you can sign up using the code POURQUOIPASNOUS<\/strong> or click directly on our HomeExchange referral link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n⚠️ If you don’t sign up through a referral link, you won’t receive the 250 welcome GuestPoints.<\/strong><\/p>\n\nOur main piece of advice is simple: take the time to find a family with whom communication feels natural and reassuring. A beautiful home is important, but trust and communication are even more so. <\/p>\n\n
Since we still have plenty of tips to share with you, we\u2019re preparing two more articles dedicated to HomeExchange:<\/p>\n\n
\nHow to Create an Attractive HomeExchange Listing:<\/strong> We\u2019ll explain how to choose your photos, showcase your home, highlight its location, and specify your criteria. We\u2019ll also share what helped us receive about 200 requests for the summer. <\/li>\n\n\n\nHow to Prepare Your Home for a HomeExchange:<\/strong> We\u2019ll provide you with our complete checklist for cleaning, organizing, linens, the welcome booklet, key handover, and final checks before departure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nIf you still have questions about our experience or how HomeExchange works,<\/strong> feel free to ask them in the comments. We\u2019ll be happy to answer them, and it will also help us tailor our future articles to the topics that really interest you. <\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Even though the idea had appealed to us for a long time, entrusting our primary residence to a family we didn’t know still required a bit of preparation on our part. In this article, we’ll share all our tips for preparing for an exchange, our experiences, and our referral code. Our Experience with HomeExchange: A […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":85326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single-guide","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ppn_cv_model":"guide","_ppn_cv_presentation":"
Cet \u00e9t\u00e9, nous avons test\u00e9 la plateforme HomeExchange<\/strong> pour la premi\u00e8re fois. Pendant presque deux semaines, nous avons \u00e9chang\u00e9 notre maison sur l\u2019\u00eele d\u2019Ol\u00e9ron avec celle d\u2019une famille install\u00e9e \u00e0 c\u00f4t\u00e9 de Montpellier.<\/p>","_ppn_cv_hero_caption":"","_ppn_cv_brief_title":"","_ppn_cv_brief_title_level":"0","_ppn_cv_brief_item_title_level":"0","_ppn_cv_brief_items":"","_ppn_cv_toc_levels":"h2,h3","_ppn_cv_sidebar_modules":"author","_ppn_cv_sidebar_author_text":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_map_title":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_map_url":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_activities":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_activities_cta_label":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_activities_cta_url":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_stays":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_stays_cta_label":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_stays_cta_url":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_note":"","_ppn_cv_related_ids":"","_ppn_cv_author_text":"","_ppn_cv_sidebar_modules_explicit":true,"_ppn_cv_partnership_enabled":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[84,72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-france","category-travel-guides"],"acf":[],"_wp_attached_file":null,"_wp_attachment_image_alt":null,"rank_math_primary_category":"64","rank_math_title":"HomeExchange Review: Our First Family Exchange","rank_math_description":"Our thoughts on HomeExchange after our first family home exchange: how it works, savings, benefits, and tips before you get started.","rank_math_focus_keyword":null,"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260729_073526455-scaled.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85324"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85324\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85376,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85324\/revisions\/85376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}