Resources & Steps to Consider

To get started, consider using these steps/resources:

​

Step 1: Prepare your Exchange Proposal

​

• This is your chance to tell potential exchange partners about your situation and your desires related to an exchange. A blank "Exchange Proposal" template is available on the Exchanges page of this site. If you complete it and notify us, we can link to it from this website. This can serve as a resource for other cohousers to find you. 

​​

Step 2: Create and Post an Ad on Coho/US and/or Listing on FIC

​​

• The high traffic on both the Cohousing Association of the US’ (Coho/US) and the Foundation for Intentional Community’s (FIC) websites makes for an ideal place for a home exchange classified ad. You can add your listing and browse others here https://www.cohousing.org/classifieds-2/browse-ads and here https://www.ic.org/classifieds.

​​

Step 3: Announce and Share Your Proposal and Ad Links

 

• Once you've prepared your proposal (using our template if you desire) and placed an ad/listing on both websites mentioned above, you want to let other cohousers know you're out there seeking exchanges.

• You may want to send an email to the Coho/US list serv and add a comment to the FIC discussion board.  You'll want to include the links to this site (https://da716.wixsite.com/cohousingexchange) and/or directly to your proposal as well as any classified ads you create. https://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-l/ and https://forum.ic.org/t/cohousing-exchange-home-swaps/897.

• You may want to include in the subject line "Cohousing Exchange" + name of your community and location to grab attention of those that skim the listings and assist with searching.

• You can get creative about other places to promote your proposal. You might search for specific communities that you wish to exchange and seek out a contact email from the web. There may be Facebook groups that you can post to as well.

​​

Step 4: Search For Exchanges

​​

• Now that you've created your own proposal and ad, it's time to search for others that might offer a good match. You can visit the FIC cohousing exchange forum.

• Browse the CohoUS listings and use the filter for "house swap"

• Review exchange proposals on the exchanges page of this website.

​

Other Potential Resources

​

• A non-cohousing specific site that helps coordinate home exchanges is HomeExchange. This site provides points so that exchanges do not need to take place simultaneously.

• Other home exchange/travel sites include:

  • Unitarian U house swap https://uurehome.com/joomla/  

  • Evergreen Travel Club https://www.evergreenclub.com/ 

  • Affordable Travel Club https://www.affordabletravelclub.net/ 

  • https://www.workaway.info/

  • https://servas.org/

• If you know of other resources, please contact David Ehrlich at dave@trackg.com

​​

Checklist of items to review prior to confirming a swap

​

1. Provide a detailed biography on all that plan to travel, career history, including age, interests/hobbies, and motivations for the swap

2. Total number of adults and children to travel and capacity for hosting

3. Number of bedrooms in your home and requirements for when you travel

4. Approximate size and key amenities of your home (laundry, internet, etc.)

5. Any special requirements for when you travel

6. Pets - any to travel and can you accommodate them in your home.

7. Cars - will you be sharing your car and/or expecting to use one? Any insurance issues?

8. Timing for swap (when and duration), flexibility in schedule

9. Desired locations to travel / details about the location of your place. Include the website for the community and local area

10. Languages spoken (especially important for international swaps)

11. Work hours or retired

12. What community work teams are you currently involved with. What is the work expectation for your guests?

​​

Checklist of items to review once an arrangement is confirmed

 

1. Confirm the exact travel dates and possible in person meeting

2. Will cars be provided

3. Will pets be staying in the home?

4. Who will welcome each party to the community? Contact name and phone/email for select neighbors

5. How to access house (keys/codes), parking locations

6. What items should the visitor plan to bring for their stay? (linens, etc.)

7. House rules (any areas off limits, wear outdoor shoes allowed in home, use of bikes/boats/etc.)

8. House manuals (how to use HVAC, Wi-fi, cable, garbage and recycle, plant care, etc.)

9. Community rules/expectations for guests (work requirements, etc.)

10. Community activities (common meals, etc.)

11. Exchange all contact numbers and emergency contact numbers/names

​

If you have other ideas for items to be included in the resources or best practices, please contact David Ehrlich at dave@trackg.com

​