No place like home

Cypress Mountain beckoned for Lesley and Phil Mathieson-Smith.

How would you like to experience a white Christmas in Canada but still have all the comforts of home? Or lounge by a private lagoon in French Polynesia without the hassle of hotels and other guests?

For many New Zealanders, home swapping has become an attractive way to travel, a chance to experience different cultures and be part of a community extending around the world.

John and Valerie Martin, of rural Manukau, discovered the concept 10 years ago. They had travelled extensively but wanted to try something different so they joined HomeLink International soon after it started operating in New Zealand.

Since then they have travelled to Italy, Austria and several locations in the United States and Britain, including a memorable exchange to the Highlands of Scotland, next to the Balmoral Estate.

Four years ago the Martins became directors of HomeLink International NZ. Founded 50 years ago by two groups of friends in Europe and North America, HomeLink International originally relied on word-of-mouth.

These days, members have access to an extensive online database of fellow-participants from more than 60 countries. Easy access to the internet and email means home exchanging is catching on rapidly.

Gordon and Isobel McIntyre of Queenstown first exchanged homes in 2001 after hearing enthusiastic stories from friends.

"We run a B&B for six months of the year so are used to having strangers in our home," Gordon says. "The single main attraction for us is the opportunity to spend an extended period in an area at little cost."

Their travels have included exchanges in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. Highlights have been trips to the Isle of Skye and the ancient Roman remains of Trier in the south of Germany.

"Our most unusual experience was having the Scottish hosts come into our lounge area for a jazz session with local musicians and singers," Isobel says. "But one unpleasant experience was when we realised our host couple near London had returned while we were away for a night. They went through our room checking on us and our belongings."

While incidents like this are rare, it is important to communicate as much as possible with the other party by asking lots of questions and finding out what is expected of the trip, such as car exchange or wheelchair access.

"The more communication, the greater the chance for a successful exchange," says Lesley Mathieson-Smith, of Kiama, south of Sydney. "It is very important to establish ground rules. Something that may seem trivial to you could be very significant to your swappers, and vice versa."

Lesley, with her husband, Phil Smith, has been home exchanging since 1996. During that time she says they have seen fantastic places and met wonderful people, including friends and neighbours of their exchange family.

"In Raiatea [French Polynesia] the house was right on a lagoon and had an additional outside shower to use after swimming," Lesley says. "One day, we came back to the house to find a man in our outdoor shower, all lathered up and looking quite at home. He turned out to be the very genial landlord who was in the habit of popping by for a shower."

The Smiths have exchanged homes eight times and have some swaps in credit. Often the timing is not right for both parties to exchange homes simultaneously so it is possible to home host in exchange for a visit at a later date.

Their most recent exchange was with Ross Graham, an expatriate Australian now living in Vancouver, Canada. Graham developed a theory about home exchanging when he realised the savings for his family

of four would be substantial for their trips to Australia.

"We decided to put the money we would save into our home renovations, which was something we needed to do anyway," he says. "But at the same time we've made our home more attractive to potential house swappers. In the long run we can afford to travel more often."

He has a point. When I browsed the website and saw some of the houses I realised the modest abode I called home just wouldn't fit the bill.

But it is not necessary to live in a mansion, in fact you don't even need to own your own home - renters can exchange as long as they have permission from their landlord.

Most people are travelling to experience a new culture and simply want a comfortable place to base themselves while exploring.

Homes range from a one-bedroom apartment in Switzerland to a nine-bedroom villa in Jamaica. You can relax by a lagoon in the Cook Islands, take a safari in South Africa, explore exotic Casablanca or live in a village on the Greek Islands. The world is your oyster, provided you are prepared to do the legwork.

Once both parties come to an agreement about the home exchange, the major task is getting organised. HomeLink has a contract that members can sign but it is not compulsory.

"People often ask, 'aren't you afraid your house will be trashed?' " says Lesley. "We respond that house swappers are generally like-minded people, who have nothing to gain by crossing the world to trash someone's house. If you value something greatly and couldn't bear to lose it lock it away before you swap."

Norrie and Jenny von Sturmer, of Maraetai Beach, Auckland, have participated in four home exchanges to Australia since last year. They are about to embark on a three-month trip around the world, including two home exchanges in the US and Spain.

Norrie stresses the importance of leaving practical information for your guests, including instructions for household appliances, phone numbers of friends, family, local tradesman and emergency services.

"We leave a very comprehensive, indexed house-notes folder and brochures of local attractions," he explains. "One house swapper only provided us with an A4 sheet of notes, which was totally inadequate."

The von Sturmers leave a gift, such as a bottle of wine, to make guests feel welcome. At the end of their trip they leave the host home in impeccable condition and the car clean, with a full tank.

While exchanges between Western countries are pretty straightforward because the cultures are similar, some common tasks may be strange for visitors.

"We had to tell our guests not to put the garbage out in the evening, but on the morning of the collection - otherwise the bears will get it," says Graham.

In today's world, with fear seeming to dominate headlines, it is refreshing to hear there is a community of people who still find it possible to open their homes to strangers.

"It's not just a house swap," Graham says, "You are also making friends, living in their community and fostering relationships."

The Smiths' circle of friends continues to grow. "Over the years we have built an extended family network around the world through our house swaps," says Lesley. "I find that a warming experience. It makes the world a smaller place." 

House swapping information

For further information on Homelink International website or contact directors Valerie and John Martin on (09) 263 9677 or 021 929 565.

Other organisations that organise international house exchanges include Homeexchange.com and Exchangesworldwide.com.

For swapping between Australia and New Zealand only, try Aussie House Swap