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FAQ
Welcome to the FAQ page. This is where you will find the answers to frequently asked questions.If you don't see an answer to a question you have, you can submit it here
General
- What is a home exchange?
- Do people exchange homes for longer than a week or two? A year or more?
- How does a home exchange work?
- Can I trust my home to strangers?
- Why should I do a home exchange rather than stay in a hotel?
- Will my name, address, phone number, etc., go out to everyone on the Internet?
- Why doesn't my listing show up right after I add a photo or make changes?
- Can I join OIA to get access to your members' home details without first listing my home?
- Can I exchange cars too?
- How about home and car insurance?
- Can I exchange more than once?
- How can I be sure to get an "equal" trade?
- I live in an "ordinary" area not considered a tourist attraction. Will anyone be interested in my home?
- I have some personal preferences I want houseguests to respect. How are these handled?
- How do I add a photo to my home listing?
- How much does it cost to list my home?
- How can I get more information about the homes I'm interested in?
- How do I contact other members about an exchange?
- Can I exchange a home outside No. America for one in No. America?
- Do I need a computer?
- What is your privacy policy?
- Why should I join OIA rather than one of the other online home exchanges?
- We live in a beautiful downtown apartment. Are apartments dwellers eligible to participate in exchanges?
- I have two well-behaved, completely housebroken dogs that I enjoy traveling with. Is this a problem?
- I have sent e-mails to 2 potential home exchange listings and in both cases the e-mails were not delivered due to wrong e-mail addresses. What gives?
- Is there a fee to join?
- How do I find out when a member wants to swap homes if they don't put dates in their home description?
- How do I remove my listing from the site?
- Can an exchange be a permanent trade?
- How do I list a second home for exchange? Same process again?
- We own a small resort with a "house" on one of the most desirable locations on the lake. Could this accommodation be included as a house exchange?
- How long does it take to be approved for membership and be able to access the home details & contact info. for other members?
- What type of written agreement should we use to exchange homes?
- When I make contact w/ a member for the first time, do I have to give them my email address or listing #, or do they automatically get my contact information?
- Can someone who is renting a house participate in home exchanging or do both parties have to be homeowners?
- Do items like food & clothing have to be removed from cupboards & closets in preparing for an exchange?
General
What is a home exchange?
Let's say you want to take a vacation or attend a conference or class reunion out of town. Think "home exchange"; it's the smart way to go. By swapping your home with someone, you get to stay in a private home or apartment AT NO COST TO EITHER PARTY. You trade homes on the same dates--or--at different times if you own a second home or have access to temporary accommodations.
Do people exchange homes for longer than a week or two? A year or more?
Typically, people exchange homes from 1 - 4 weeks, though some exchanges are longer, some shorter. Rentals are more appropriate for people who plan to be away from home for a year or more.
How does a home exchange work?
To arrange a home exchange, you must be a member. Go to exchangehomesoia.com and click on "Apply for Membership." Fill out the application, submit it, and your home will be posted on the site. After becoming a member, follow these steps to arrange an exchange: Step 1: Go to exchangehomesoia.com and click on "Home Listings." Step 2: Click on the map to view the listings posted in a state or province. Step 3: After finding a home that interests you, click on the ID for that home, for example, CA-001 for the first home listed in California. You will be asked to enter your e-mail address and password, after which you will gain access to the member's contact information. Step 4: Make contact with the member to determine if there is mutual interest in exchanging homes. If you agree to swap homes, the two of you work out the details of the exchange. Keep in mind that Only In America Home Exchange facilitates but does not arrange home exchanges for its members.
Can I trust my home to strangers?
Most OIA members are professional people, teachers, nurses, executives, business owners or retirees, who are financially secure and respectful of their own and others' property. Keep in mind that your exchange partners are trusting their home to you and share the same concerns about safety as you. Also, prior to swapping homes, you will communicate with your exchange partners by e-mail, phone, or fax. Such contact will give you a "feel" for them, along with the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual concern. In addition, you may request references from previous exchanges. However, OIA does not guarantee the safety of a member's home, nor does it take responsibility for the actions or behavior of its members or the status or conditions of a member's home.
Why should I do a home exchange rather than stay in a hotel?
The most obvious answer is cost. With a home exchange you save yourself the considerable cost of a hotel, restaurants and often a car rental. Your exchange home also gives you the space and freedom that no hotel room can provide. Then, too, you enjoy the experience of living like a "local" rather than a tourist. Shopping in neighborhood markets and cafes, taking public transit, etc., personalizes your sense of the place and people living there. And you may even be able to arrange for your exchange partners to look after your pets while you're away!
Will my name, address, phone number, etc., go out to everyone on the Internet?
No, they won't. Visitors browsing through the site will find only the general description of your house, along with the accompanying photo (optional). No personal identifying information will be available to them. Only members w/ homes posted on the site will have access to this information.
Why doesn't my listing show up right after I add a photo or make changes?
OIA reviews all modifications, incl. the addition of photos and revised home descriptions, before posting them. As a result there's a brief time delay before you see your listing back online.
Can I join OIA to get access to your members' home details without first listing my home?
No. Unfortunately, we have no way of distinguishing between people trolling the site to gather contact info. for marketing purposes and those genuinely interested in home exchanges. For this reason we require members to post their homes in order to gain access to our members' home details, which include their contact info. It’s one way we protect our members from people with commercial interests. Also, since exchanging homes is the basis of the service, we think it fair that someone interested in a particular member's home also have a home posted on the site. That way both parties have the same advantage if contact is made re. a possible exchange.
Can I exchange cars too?
That's up to the exchange partners, but many do swap cars.
How about home and car insurance?
Check your homeowner's policy or speak with your agent to find out what's covered and what isn't. OIA knows of no policy that specifically lists home exchanges in its coverage, nor do we assume responsibility for the security or belongings of a member's property. As for car insurance, check with your company, but many policies cover drivers other than the policy holder. Also, for quite reasonable rates, you can usually purchase limited, short-term insurance, if necessary.
Can I exchange more than once?
Yes, your Charter Membership entitles you to as many exchanges as you want indefinitely.
How can I be sure to get an "equal" trade?
You will need to read your exchange partner's house description carefully, then follow up with well-focused questions via e-mail, fax or phone. Often members with large homes are quite happy to trade with partners living in smaller homes or apartments if the location is particularly desirable, e.g., San Francisco or Montreal. Keep in mind that OIA does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the home listings or the status or conditions of a member's home.
I live in an "ordinary" area not considered a tourist attraction. Will anyone be interested in my home?
Remember that people travel to all different places for all sorts of reasons: holidays, weddings, graduations, or visits with relatives. People like having their own space and often want to avoid imposing on friends or relatives. It's also true that while you may consider your area as ordinary, others may see it quite differently. For some, it may be a jumping off point for exploring a wider region. For others, it may be the appeal of a setting completely different from their own.
I have some personal preferences I want houseguests to respect. How are these handled?
OIA's application form covers a wide variety of preferences and requests for the applicant to check. Any additional requests may be discussed in follow-up contact between exchange partners.
How do I add a photo to my home listing?
You may add a photo at any time by choosing one of the following options:
1. Send a picture to the address below and we'll post it. (Write your name & location of exchange home on the back. Please note: photos are not returned.)
Only In America Home Exchange
980 Vernal Ave.
Mill Valley, CA 94941 USA2. Go to http://www.exchangehomesoia.com and click on Modify Home Listing. Follow the directions for adding a photo.
3. E-mail a digital image to travel@exchangehomesoia.com.
How much does it cost to list my home?
There's no charge for listing your home or arranging an exchange. While the site grows, Only In America is offering free Charter Membership. Charter Members will remain non-paying members for as long as they wish to list their home. When this offer ends, new (non-Charter) members will be charged a once-yearly fee at the time they post their home.
How can I get more information about the homes I'm interested in?
To access details about particular homes, incl. the home owners' contact information, you must first post your home for exchange.
How do I contact other members about an exchange?
You click on their (highlighted) Home ID to the left of their home listing. This will take you to their home details, including their contact info. You then email, phone, fax or write them to inquire about exchanging homes. However, to access their home details, you must first post your home.
Can I exchange a home outside No. America for one in No. America?
No. Our site is dedicated to No. American exchanges only.
Do I need a computer?
You don't need a computer to apply for membership and post your home. OIA will mail you an application upon request and post your listing for you. However, to view home listings and get contact info. for other members, you need access to a computer.
What is your privacy policy?
We protect your personal contact information from people browsing through the site without membership ID, a password, & a home posted for exchange. We do not sell or give out any personal details, incl. contact info, about our members to other organizations or non-members.
Why should I join OIA rather than one of the other online home exchanges?
OIA is the only online home exchange catering exclusively to the needs of members living in North America, including Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Travelers will find OIA very user-friendly. It offers a clear and simple procedure for becoming a member, listing a home, and finding an exchange. While we grow, OIA is offering Charter Membership free of charge. Charter members may list their homes indefinitely at no cost.
We live in a beautiful downtown apartment. Are apartments dwellers eligible to participate in exchanges?
Yes, members who live in houses, apartments & condos are eligible to participate in exchanges.
I have two well-behaved, completely housebroken dogs that I enjoy traveling with. Is this a problem?
It's entirely up to agreements made between exchange partners. Many exchanges do include pets. OIA advises members to include info. about their pet needs in their home descriptions.
I have sent e-mails to 2 potential home exchange listings and in both cases the e-mails were not delivered due to wrong e-mail addresses. What gives?
Unfortunately, members sometimes change their e-mail address or phone number but forget to notify us or make the correction in their home description. Also, members may decide to opt out of the site but forget to tell us; in that case their home remains online inadvertently when, in fact, it is no longer available. We urge members to notify us of any changes in their contact information or availability of their home.
Is there a fee to join?
No, OIA doesn't charge a fee to join. While the site grows, Only In America is offering free Charter Membership. Charter Members may post their homes and use the service as often as they want at no cost. When this offer ends, new (non-Charter) members will be charged a once-yearly fee at the time they post their home.
How do I find out when a member wants to swap homes if they don't put dates in their home description?
For dates and any other info not in their home description, you will need to contact them by e-mail, phone or snail mail. To get their contact info, click on their Home ID (to the left of their home description). You must first post your home in order to gain access to other members' contact info.
How do I remove my listing from the site?
E-mail travel@exchangehomesoia.com with your name and Home ID (located next to your home listing). We will remove your listing.
Can an exchange be a permanent trade?
No, our service posts homes for exchange on a temporary basis only.
How do I list a second home for exchange? Same process again?
Yes, you go to http://www.exchangehomesoia.com and log in with the same e-mail address & password used to post your first home. When a new page appears, click on "Post your Home Exchange Listing."
We own a small resort with a "house" on one of the most desirable locations on the lake. Could this accommodation be included as a house exchange?
Yes, any home, condo, or apt. may be posted for exchange.
How long does it take to be approved for membership and be able to access the home details & contact info. for other members?
After you've filled out the application to post your home for exchange (required in order to access the home details & contact info. of our members), there's a delay of up to a few hours, sometimes 1 business day, while we review your listing for appropriate content. As soon as you see your home posted, you can access other members' home details & contact info.
What type of written agreement should we use to exchange homes?
Exchange partners decide for themselves whether or not to put into writing the terms of their agreement. However, OIA encourages members to look at the site's left-hand link titled Agreement Letters bet. Exchangers for suggestions about letters of agreement.
When I make contact w/ a member for the first time, do I have to give them my email address or listing #, or do they automatically get my contact information?
You'll need to give the member either your email address or listing number; otherwise, the member won't have a way of responding to you. No one gets any other member's contact info. automatically.
Can someone who is renting a house participate in home exchanging or do both parties have to be homeowners?
If your landlord consents to a home exchange partner staying in your house for a period of time, there should be no problem. We advise you to check with the landlord before you begin looking for an exchange.
Do items like food & clothing have to be removed from cupboards & closets in preparing for an exchange?
Typically, members don't remove food & clothing. In fact, they often leave items of fresh food for their exchange partner's day of arrival. However, it's important to leave a clean, well-ordered home. Members usually tidy up drawers & closets, and many leave closet space for their exchange partners.
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