House exchange: This is how Alexandra transforms her home into a holiday oasis!

House exchange: This is how Alexandra transforms her home into a holiday oasis!

In small Sarreguemines, France, Alexandra, 56, runs an unusual but successful holiday business with her husband. They have already offered their home on the “Home Exchange” platform around 25 times. The experiences are varied: visitors came from England, Holland and Canada and were often just looking for a short stay in the picturesque region, which is considered a popular stopover on the way to Italy.

Unlike traditional house swaps, Alexandra and her husband often stayed at home while the guests used their house. After your children move out, there is enough space available in the spacious accommodation. Guests have the freedom to use the entire house, which makes home exchange particularly attractive.

Benefits of Home Exchange

Alexandra chose “Home Exchange” because the platform offers a unique points system. For each successful placement, she receives points that she can use for future bookings. Unlike providers like “Airbnb”, there are no additional booking fees, just an annual fee of between 140 and 175 euros.
“Home Exchange” therefore offers a cost-effective way to travel and discover the world.

The idea of ​​house exchanges has proven successful in Germany, and the capital Berlin is the city with the most offers. There is no shortage of cultural and leisure activities that enrich your stay. Exchange partners can often provide bicycles to better explore the city.

The challenges and concerns

Despite her positive experiences, Alexandra plans to rent out her home for a long time, but she also sees challenges. Her friend Sandrine from Paris is constantly finding new people interested in her shared room and often travels without accommodation costs. Alexandra, on the other hand, has difficulty finding suitable buyers.

Another factor complicating the full replacement is her four cats. Home exchange platforms are also popular with pet owners, but fully renting out a home with pets can be challenging.

Opportunities for discovery in Germany

Germany also offers a variety of other places worth seeing. In addition to Berlin, there are interesting travel destinations such as Weimar, the Hanseatic region with Lübeck, Hamburg and Bremen, the Black Forest for hikes and numerous beautiful cities such as Cologne, Heidelberg and Munich. Each of these destinations has its own charm and historical insights.

The summer months invite outdoor activities, while in December the Christmas markets in cities such as Munich, Frankfurt and Baden-Baden create a festive atmosphere. Local traditions such as mulled wine and ginger cake are particularly popular during this time, making traveling through Germany an unforgettable experience.

Alexandra's experiences make it clear that home exchanges are an interesting way to experience different lifestyles and save money at the same time. The advantages of exchanging homes via platforms such as “Home Exchange” are clear: it is a flexible, cost-effective way of traveling that promotes trust and a sense of adventure.
For more information on how to offer a home in exchange, visit the website Home Exchange detailed options. Also offers SR.de an insight into Alexandra's journey through the world of home exchange.