We were wondering how popular the idea of a house swap directory would be to people? We have talked about one day making an arm of Rentability that advertises houses available for swapping based on a similar business model to Rentability where you pay for enquiries (with the ceiling of €100 a year). It could offer slightly different listing options to cater for the slightly more sensitive nature of house swapping, maybe including things like “Swapper Profile” “Past Swaps Feedback”, “Like For Like Properties” in the search options etc.

Has anyone ever done a house swap, long term or short term. It would be good to have some feedback – the pitfalls and advantages. Would you consider it? Or is there no way you’d do such a thing etc. What do you think of the idea in general?

That is a very crowded market, as is the rental one. We have been letting our gites successfully for 7 years, this spring we decided to visit our son in Sydney. With a big property and lots of animals we cant just shut up shop and have, in the past, managed to get previous guests to house sit when we want to go away off season. This Jan Feb we couldnt find anyone and eventually I tried housesitting and houseswapping sites. There are lots of sites most of which charge an entry fee, not seen any that charge per enquiry – I actually dont think that model would work. I had upwards of 200 offers to sit and probably 80 or so to swap from all over the world. I still do. OK our place is a very spectacular place to spend time but there are a lot of people out there wanting to do this and you have to do a lot of filtering and shortlisting. You would pay a fortune if you paid per enquiry. Your ‘cap’ would work but might reduce your income.

We successfully set up an 8 week  swap with  our  7 bed huge property for a 2 bed flat in central Sydney - absolutely perfect.  All went perfectly  and we would certainly do it again.

Now plus side you get a holiday where the only cost is travel, you get a house sitter, you get free car use ( sometimes a boat too). You are in a house not a hotel.

Minus side – there is a risk – will they trash your place and will their place be what you expect. If you are setting up a ‘site’ you need to deal with these. Some sites offer a suggested contract and recommend a ‘bond’ deposit – we didnt do either of those. Our years of assessing clients gives us a good feel ( and our son made contact) I would suggest something like tripadvisor or e bay where swappers are rated.

Bottom line I would and will swap again. I would certainly use your site. However there are lots of places to look just google it! – Perhaps your cap idea would be a good one – you certainly couldnt do it open ended. Im sure you will trawl ther opposition.

Good luck Tim