All you Need to know about Homelink

1. All you Need to know about Homelink Our HomeLink community is composed of people from all over the world, with diverse backgrounds, ages, and life experiences. Yet we are all similar, connected by our sense of adventure, our love of life and pleasure from authentic experiences. We pride ourselves on our personal service, as do our highly experienced colleagues in 27 countries around the world who are happy to provide help and advice when you need it. Here are some important questions and answers you want to know about Homelink. How can I trust my home to a stranger? Home exchange is a trust-based arrangement and as such attracts trustworthy, honest people. Your home is much less likely to be broken into when occupied by your exchange partners, than if left empty. And don’t forget, while your exchange partners are in your home, you will be in theirs – this, in itself, is a reassuring factor. Further, the HomeLink community reduces risk by running a "closed system" in which members exchange only with other paying HomeLink members. In the end, the decision to swap with a particular exchange partner is yours. As you get to know each other by discussing and organizing the exchange, your exchange partner becomes less of a stranger. Many members forge lasting friendships. If you are concerned, we recommend you exchange with an experienced member until you feel more comfortable with the process. We also recommend that you address specific concerns with your exchange partner as you arrange the swap. This often breaks the ice as they may feel exactly the same way!

2. I am a little uncomfortable with exchanging. Is there a way to ease into it? Yes! Why not first try a Hospitality Exchange, where members arrange to host each other in their homes. Also, we encourage our members to be forthright with all of their concerns about the exchange. Open and honest communication between members is essential for successful home exchange. What if something happens to our home when exchanging? In over 60 years of HomeLink, theft, and vandalism have never been an issue. Problems, if any, are often simple misunderstandings, and a few instances of accidental breakage. Insurance companies often advise that your house is safer from theft and vandalism with guests present, than if left vacant. What if I need assistance during my exchange? HomeLink has local representatives around the world. Should you need assistance during your exchange, please email or call your local representative. If they need to involve the HomeLink representative in the country you are in, they will ask their assistance and explain your situation to them. I have pets and a garden. Who will look after them? While many members do enjoy looking after their exchange partner's pets and do not find it troublesome to water the garden occasionally, you cannot in all fairness impose this upon them. Remember ... like you, they are on holiday. They may have long day-trips planned, or simply do not want to commit to a routine. So if you need extensive pet care or garden work, be sure that this is very clear and accepted by your exchange partner. Even if you arrange for a neighbor or family member to take care of your pets, you should still let your exchange partner know of your furry, feathered or finned friends if they are allergic to certain animals. Who would want to stay in my home? While some people do seek similar sized properties, not everyone does many people value the variety of experiences. Often people just want a comfortable, clean base from which to explore the area. They are not interested in critically appraising the architecture or style of an individual's house. City dwellers with large apartments and spectacular views sometimes dream of spending a week in a cabin on the lake. Even modest homes and apartments have qualities that make them desirable to those who have more elaborate residences (i.e. fun neighborhoods, peaceful surroundings, proximity to outdoor or cultural activities…) You may consider your home humble in comparison to a property you would love to exchange with, but this does not make it in any way inferior. Most HomeLinkers recognize that homes cannot be rated according to tourism stars, because they are spaces where people live their lives, making them comfortable, unique and intimate. The people who have the most success in exchanging are those with an open mind, who do not presuppose what others in the HomeLink community will think.

3. Would people want to visit my area? Whether you live in an established tourist area, or in a place far from the beaten tourist's track, people will definitely want to visit. Our membership base is diverse, as are peoples' travel habits. While some prefer popular travel destinations, others seek genuinely new experiences. Our members are both international visitors and locals who may be looking for a base to catch up with family or to explore the area. When completing your home listing, think about all you enjoy about living in your area. Look at all the things the locals do, from entertainment to the natural habitat, and list these down to accompany your property details. Does HomeLink have a "code of good conduct"? Yes. We ask all HomeLink members to abide by the 10 Principles for a Successful Home Exchange, and always to act in good faith. The sense of mutual responsibility, honor, and respect encouraged by the 10 Principles is the cornerstone of HomeLink's successful home exchange tradition, built over more than 60 years. Who can see my home address? All HomeLink members will be able to see the location you indicate as the address of your exchange home. Should you be concerned about having your exact address accessible by all HomeLink members, you may want to simply put down the street on which you live and not the street number and alter the map locator accordingly. Who can see my password and personal email address? No one can see your password. Not even your local HomeLink representative or the website administrator. Your email address will, however, be accessible to HomeLink and may be used to inform you of potential home exchanges you may be interested in, or other news related to home exchange. Receiving such information is on an opt-in/opt-out basis.