DC Real Estate Offers Exciting Vacation Options Around the World

February 9, 2012

Washington, DC is the perfect city to take advantage of the booming business of home or condo swapping. Do you want to travel to Hong Kong, Madrid or Malta? Don’t stay in a hotel; exchange your gorgeous condo or home with another family that is dying to visit the DC Metro area. Many exchanges include the sharing of cars, caring of pets and the watering of plants. What a terrific way to get immersed in the culture and community of the city you are excited to explore.

The home exchange business has grown a great deal in the last few years due to the worldwide economic downturn and the desire for travelers to experience a different kind of social and cultural adventure. There are many home exchanges available via websites like INTERVAC.com, SabbaticalHomes.com, HomeExchange.com, and Homelink.org. There is something to be said for going on an exotic vacation and not having any lodging expenses because you are staying at the apartment or home of the couple that is currently staying in your home back in DC. Of course, there is a fee associated with gaining access at any of these home exchange services. Many have introductory fees that can range from $1 - $50. Others require a yearly fee of $120 - $200. On line, many fans of home exchanges say that they have benefited from being members of two or more website programs.

All of this sounds marvelous until the "first time" home swapper has to actually exchange their condo. It can be daunting to realize that they will be “lending” their home to a complete and utter stranger. This is said to be the most difficult hurdle for first timers. To over come this, some companies offer an identity authentication tool that allows members to check the identity of the people using the service. Another company has developed a custom home and travel insurance with Lloyd’s to cover the costs of the host’s home and the swapper’s flight. However, experienced house exchangers say the best way to ensure a successful swap is to get to know the family that will be using your place while you are staying at their home. With today’s technology this can be achieved easily by email, Skype and Whatsapp.

For those house swappers who have been doing this for years, they rave about the incredibly unique locations that they have traveled to because the exchange introduced them to beach side towns in Italy or small, rustic getaways in Finland that they would have never known existed if they had not been adventurous enough to become members of a legitimate house exchange program. There are many benefits to owning Washington, DC real estate. Now with house exchanges it seems that “Have DC condo – will travel for free!” can be added to the list of Pros when making the decision to explore condos for sale in Washington, DC.

For condos for sale in Washington, DC, please call the real estate company with the Buyer's Edge. Our Exclusive Buyer's Agents represent Home Buyers 100% of the time in MD, DC and VA. Try a uniquely different way to buy DC real estate. 301-657-1475