HomeExchange.com PR Summary

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The Holiday (Sony)

PR Summary

Hi, this is Ed Kushins, President of HomeExchange.com

Thank you for your interest in HomeExchange.com. If you have any questions you can reach me on my cell 1.310.345.3562 or email Ed@HomeExchange.com.

Let me know if you would like to talk to some of our Members who have made successful exchanges, many are available.

Hi Res photos are also easily available for downloading from our website.

In the meantime, here is some information that may be helpful:

Here is some information about "The Holiday", a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black, that was released in December of 2006 and featured Home Exchange and HomeExchange.com:
http://www.homeexchange.com/holiday.php

 
I could have someone from SONY contact you directly about getting some PR material/trailer/publicity stills or whatever.

Recent Newsletter
December 2007 Newletter

Some recent Testimonials and Exchange Stories submitted by Members
http://www.homeexchange.com/pr/recent.php

http://www.homeexchange.com/testimonials.php

http://www.homeexchange.com/successstories.php

Recent Print Articles
http://www.homeexchange.com/articles.php

Recent TV coverage
http://www.homeexchange.com/clips.php

20,000+ Listings

  • USA 6800+ Listings in all 50 U.S. States
  • France 2700+ Listings
  • England 650+ Listings
  • Italy 750+ Listings
  • Spain 625+ Listings
  • Australia 940+ Listings
  • Canada 975+ Listings
  • The Netherlands 200+ Listings
  • Over 6500 Listings in 100+ other Countries

Each year there are over 100,000 successful home exchanges done worldwide.

The best visuals are the 20,000+ Listings themselves; Try it yourself, it takes only 3 clicks to search for and contact your perfect exchange partner.
1. Go to http://www.homeexchange.com/view_listings.php and select a Country where you'd like to vacation. You can browse the Summary Listings and
2. Click on any Summary Listing to see the Details of that Listing, including Photos, Descriptions of the Home, Neighborhood and People
3. If you are logged in, at the bottom of each Detailed Listing is a form where you can send an email inquiry to that Listing directly through our Privacy Protected email system

Here is a link to my own Listing where you can see the Listing format, including our "unlimited" photo feature.
http://www.homeexchange.com/show.php?id=15987

International Sites

Each Listing is posted to our network of worldwide home exchange sites for maximum exposure and is available in the following languages:

ENGLISH www.homeexchange.com
FRENCH www.trocmaison.com
ITALIAN www.scambiocasa.com
SPANISH www.intercambiocasas.com
PORTUGUESE www.trocacasa.com
DUTCH www.huizenruil.com
GERMAN www.hausaustausch.com

HomeExchange.com Services

  • The most Listings in the most popular areas; over 20,000 Listings in over 100 countries
  • Privacy - personal contact information is never shared with anyone
  • Post unlimited photos to your Listing at no extra cost
  • Listing format allows more information about the property, neighborhood and the Member to be posted and displayed
  • Toll free customer support: 1.800.877.8723
  • Email support available 24 hours a day
  • Save your favorite Listings to your account area for easy access and tracking
  • Send one email to all your saved Listings with our unique 'My Saved Listings" email form
  • "My Home Exchanges" section – list of Members previous exchanges
  • "Chat" - Talk to other Members in real time
  • Email contact 24/7 to you from your Listing
  • Detailed search page allows for specific searches with multiple search criteria
  • Email notifications of new Listings from your select destinations
  • Update your Listing 24/7
  • Translate Listings into any major language with our built in translation feature
  • Sample forms and agreements are available for Members to use
  • Monthly newsletter to all Members
  • Unique slide show allows you to browse Listings on the site with ease
Launched January 2007
  • HomeExchangeGOLD – Features upscale properties in the most sought after vacation spots around the world www.HomeExchangeGold.com

Pricing

Our low prices make HomeExchange.com the best travel value on the web!

  • 1 year $99.95: unlimited exchanges with no additional per day or per exchange fees. (Our GUARANTEE: Make a home exchange in your first year or the second is free)
  • 2 years $140.00

Responses from our Members we gathered from a recent survey published in our monthly newsletter revealed that:

  • 98.9 percent would recommend the concept of Home Exchange to a friend.
  • Over 92 percent of HomeExchange.com Members have college and post graduate education.
  • Over 98 percent of Members who have completed an exchange stated that the exchange home they visited was neat and well prepared.
  • When asked about the care their exchange partner had given their own home, over 98.3 percent stated that their home was given very good to excellent care.

General Tips:

Don't be worried about "Having a Stranger in Your House"

Think of home exchange as Internet Dating for your home. Before you would actually go on a date with someone you met on the internet, you would exchange some emails, talk on the phone a few times, and swap recent photos. By the time you agreed to meet, it wouldn't be with a "stranger". You wouldn't go on a date if you didn't feel a connection, and the same goes for a home exchange. Good home exchange websites provide unlimited photos and text so you can get a good feel for a potential partner before you ever
contact or respond to them

Good Communication Minimizes Misplaced Expectations

Ask questions about the home and area, make sure you see photos.

Ask for referrals about prior exchanges.

Agree on the ground rules for your exchange, Sample Agreements are provided as guidelines http://www.homeexchange.com/gb_appendix.php#confirmation

Leave full instructions for use of appliances, emergency contacts, etc.

Join a home exchange agency that has a significant number of Listings, and an easily navigable website with good search features. Call or write them if you have any questions.

Be flexible and reasonable.

It takes on average 5-15 inquiries to set up an exchange, maybe more if you are looking to travel outside of the summer or school holidays.

Be a good host, provide recommendations about local restaurants, shopping, attractions. Have friends or neighbors come by to introduce themselves.

Safely store valuables, it's just the prudent thing to do

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Home Exchange is the vacation alternative where you stay in my house and I stay in yours.

HOW DO I MAKE AN EXCHANGE?
It’s as easy as 1-2-3

1. Click on a country or state where you want to go.

2. Click on an interesting Listing

3. Send a privacy protected email to that Listing directly from the site

Of course, with your own Listing posted, you will be getting inquiries from around the world.

IS IT SAFE?
In 14 years and tens of thousands of exchanges,we’ve never had a report of a theft, malicious vandalism, or a case of someone getting to their exchange home and finding a vacant lot.

Don't be worried about "Having a Stranger in Your House" . Think of home exchange as Internet Dating for your home. Before you would actually go on a date with someone you met on the internet, you would exchange some emails, talk on the phone a few times, and swap recent photos. By the time you agreed to meet, it wouldn't be with a "stranger". You wouldn't go on a date if you didn't feel a connection, and the same goes for a home exchange.

Good Communication Minimizes Misplaced Expectations. Ask questions about the home and area, make sure you see photos.

Ask for referrals about prior exchanges.

Agree on the ground rules for your exchange, Sample Agreements are provided as guidelines http://www.homeexchange.com/gb_appendix.php#confirmation

WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT VALUABLES?
It is prudent to put away really valuable items and jewelry, but usually just leave things where they are.

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE AND LIABILITY?
Check with your own insurance company, but for the most part we understand that most insurance covers exchange partners as invited guests in your home or “permitted” drivers and offers coverage as such.

WHAT ABOUT CARS?
About half our Members exchange cars, but it is entirely up to you.

WHAT ABOUT PETS?
The Listings clearly note whether there are pets in the house and whether pet care is requested or required.

DO YOU HAVE TO EXCHANGE AT THE SAME TIME?
Usually.

But a lot of people exchange their second homes, which allows a lot more flexibility. We even have a Search Function that displays only second homes.

And even with primary homes the exchange may be non-simultaneous. For example, you might stay at my house when I am away someplace else, and we would agree that I could stay at your home at some later time.

WHO WOULD WANT TO COME TO MY HOUSE?
Of course if you have a beach front home in Hawaii or a penthouse with a view in New York, or San Francisco, you’re going to get a lot of exchange inquiries.

But we have found that by their very nature, people who are HomeExchange Members are well traveled and are often interested in seeing new places, and experiencing an area as a local.

A potential home exchange partner may wish to be near a loved one or family member, or perhaps need to come to your area for business reasons. So your "average" home may be just the ticket for someone wanting to exchange with you.

If you are a little off the beaten track, you may have to send out more inquiries, and put a little more effort into marketing your home, neighborhood and area. But if you do so, you might be surprised, although we won’t be:

  • 37965 has made over 10 successful exchanges with his home in Amherst, Nova Scotia.
  • 12541 has made 10+ successful exchanges with his home in Modesto, California
  • 14459 has made over 10 successful exchanges with their home in Lancaster, PA.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
$99.95 for a one year unlimited Membership makes it the best travel value on the web

Unlimited means you can make as many exchanges as you want and there is no other charges, no per-day charges or per-exchange charges, either to your exchange partner or to us.

HomeExchange means free accommodations.

HOW MUCH CAN I SAVE?
Literally thousands of dollars on a typical exchange.

One night at a modest hotel is easily $250.00 - One room service meal can be $50.00. Imagine the savings on 2 weeks on a home exchange instead of a hotel!

But people who often think that saving money is the biggest benefit of HomeExchange find that what they really like is the comfort of staying in a home rather than an impersonal hotel, and experiencing an area as a local, not a tourist.

IS IT ONE-TO-ONE OR ARE YOU IN A POOL?
Most exchanges are one-to-one, a direct exchange between two Members. That adds a certain degree of trust between the parties.

WHO CLEANS THE HOUSE?
Sometimes Members arrange for cleaning, other times you clean the house before you leave.

The general rule is to leave the house exactly as you found it, and to take care of the home as you expect your partner to take care of yours.

CAN I DO AN EXCHANGE WITHIN MY COUNTRY?
Yes, HomeExchange.com can assist you in finding both national, international exchanges and vacation rentals.

HOW LONG IS A TYPICAL EXCHANGE?
Whatever works between the Members, but exchanges within country are normally 1-2 weeks, international exchanges are normally 1-3 weeks.

Local exchanges for long weekends are the fastest growing use of home exchange.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?
HomeExchange.com does not post your name, street address or email address in your listing, or make them available over the World Wide Web. Our advanced home exchange system hides your personal contact information yet makes it possible for a visitor and potential home exchange partner to contact you directly from your listing at HomeExchange.com - 24/7.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF A HOME EXCHANGE, ASIDE FROM SAVING MONEY?
Many Members join thinking the biggest benefit will be the money they save, and that expectation is certainly realized, with savings of thousands of dollars on hotels, cars and meals not unusual. But afterwards, most will say that the greatest benefits are the experience of experiencing an area like a local, not a tourist and having the comfort of being in a home rather than a cramped hotel room.

MAY I EXCHANGE MY APARTMENT?
Normally, yes. However, we suggest you contact the owner of your apartment and get any permissions necessary.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE WEBSITE?
Over 20,000 Listings Worldwide

Easy Navigation

“My Saved Listings” and “1-Click Contact”

“Notify Me” when new Listings come in from places I want to go

Unlimited Photos (no extra charge)

Advanced Search Function

Quick Response Customer Service (email AND phone)

Translation Feature on each Detailed Listing

Network of Sites:  

English http://www.homeexchange.com/
French http://www.trocmaison.com/
Italian http://www.scambiocasa.com/
Spanish http://www.intercambiocasas.com
German http://www.hausaustausch.com
Dutch http://www.huizenruil.com
Portuguese  http://www.trocacasa.com

On-line access to Member Control Panel 24/7 to edit Listing, add photos, use features

Privacy Protected

Guarantee

WHAT'S THE GUARANTEE?
We feel so confident we can assist you to find a home exchange partner that if you do not find a partner within the first year of listing your property we will give you a second year for free. No questions asked.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOME EXCHANGE AND A HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE?
Home exchangers trade their homes, condominiums or apartments at a time that is convenient to both parties, but these are not the only types of accommodations that one gets to choose from. For example, one exchanger traded his home for a 40-foot yacht. Another couple swapped their villa in Italy for a RV in Oregon because they had always wanted to tour the USA in true nomadic style. Often, home exchangers will include their automobiles as part of the package.

Hospitality exchangers, on the other hand, host each other in their homes at designated times. Your home exchange partners stay with you as guests and then you go and stay with them as their guests. There is a social aspect to this kind of exchange that some exchangers particularly enjoy. Conceivably, you also get a built-in tour guide with this mode of exchange.

PR Piece

Travel the home exchange way and you can enjoy all the comforts of home while experiencing new destinations as a local, not a tourist. Discover shopping at local markets for fresh produce and get restaurant recommendations from neighbors and new friends. Forget about reading hotel magazines, you can curl up next to your own fireplace with your favorite novel. Best of all, your accommodations are free.

HomeExchange.com is the leading “home exchange” Web site destination with over 20,000 Listings in 100 countries.

There are all types of folks who home exchange; families, seniors, young couples, single travelers, you name it! According to our surveys and Member feedback, HomeExchange.com Members are well educated, adventurous, reliable, and have an interest in learning more about different places and cultures.

  The word is getting around among travelers: hotels are out, staying in villas, private houses and apartments is in. Breakfast at a hotel restaurant is ordinary, coffee and fresh croissants at a charming local bakery is memorable. Hotel rooms are expensive, staying at a friend's loft in Manhattan, a buddy’s ski condo in Aspen, or a pal’s beach house in Australia is certainly much more appealing, more comfortable and less costly. Come to HomeExchange.com and expand your circle of friends!


Home exchange is based on the simple concept of travelers trading homes for vacations; it offers advantages such as a unique vacation experience, integration with the local culture, time flexibility, meeting friends and cutting budget costs.

If the idea of home exchange is unfamiliar to you, rest assured -- there are 100,000+ successful home exchanges every year. Many Members join HomeExchange.com thinking the biggest benefit will be a financial one, and with savings of thousands of dollars on hotels, cars and meals, they are not disappointed. But after going on an actual home exchange, most Members will say that it was the experience of living like a local, meeting the neighbours for coffee and having all the comforts of home at their disposal that really summed up the home exchange experience.

  • You get a "feel" for the places you visit by living like a local, not a tourist.
  • Home exchange partners can become lifelong friends
  • If you're doing a home exchange, your home is being cared for while you're away.
  • Privacy, flexibility and freedom. Come and go as you please.
  • It's a free place to stay.

Every exchange is unique and the concept is successful because of the mutual trust and goodwill between the exchange partners. For the most part active home exchange travelers are fairly well educated, adventurous, reliable, and have an interest in learning more about different places and cultures. Singles as well as couples and families are getting into home exchange, they are professors, retirees, business executives, home-based business owners, doctors, lawyers and other professionals.

Even Hollywood is taking notice of HomeExchange.com, with Sony’s release of The Holiday, a romantic comedy that incorporates home exchange as the major premise of the storyline. Directed by Nancy Meyers (Something’s Got to Give, Father of the Bride, What Woman Want), the film stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and Ed Burns and features HomeExchange.com in the film, with Diaz reading line for line from the Web site.

Created in 1992 by avid travelers with a combined 36 years of home exchange business experience, the site is now the number one destination for travelers interested in the home exchange experience, boasting over 20,000 listings in 100 countries. From popular places like England, France and Italy to more exotic locales such as Fiji or Aruba, the site enables Members to reach their dream destinations in a style and with cost savings never before imagined.

In addition, the corporate team is constantly improving the Web site to make it the very best experience for its Members with features and functions that emphasis a community rather than static site. Some of the features include a monthly online newsletter, chat function, unlimited posting of photos, advanced searches, testimonials page, one click contact and a network of foreign sites. In fact, with the way the site is set up, it can take just three clicks and mere hours to arrange a home exchange.

HomeExchange.com Members are quick to point out that going on an exchange does not mean trading homes with a stranger. By the time you exchange emails, photos and phone calls, you really get to know the people you are going to exchange with, and they become friends long before they ever stay in your home. It is also a great way to experience anew an area you might have been to dozens of times before. A home exchange vacation is unlike a typical tourist vacation in that by trading homes you are really seeing the area as a local, not a tourist.

Home exchange is also a great way to travel with children, take local and weekend trips, go on a group vacation or plan an event like a reunion, and to really get to know intimately an area you may have only seen previously from the balcony of a hotel.

“Glorious.” “Unforgettable.” “Magnificent.” These are the words you always hear from HomeExchange.com Members in describing their latest home exchange vacations. If relaxing in your own private villa nestled along the shoreline of a glacier fed lake appeals to you more than sitting in a room with two double beds and a TV, then HomeExchange.com is definitely the right choice for your next vacation.

 

 

Julie Osborne
HomeExchange.com
1.800.877.8723 US
1.310.798.3864 International
SKYPE julieo1906
Julie@HomeExchange.com