We pursued home exchanges on Maui a few years ago, two successfully. Hawaiian condo owners stayed in our condo in Victoria, BC, overlooking James Bay. It’s a great way to go.

Recently (because the condo was for sale) we paid to come over to the Islands but always missed the cost and convenience of exchanging. Now we have bought a 3 BEDROOM HOUSE next to the cruise ships in Victoria which will become a vacation rental/exchange in mid-July 2010, once it is furnished. We ALSO have a furnished 1 bd. apartment in the woods of Cambria, California, very near Hearst Castle, which we can rent or exchange. We prefer a winter destination in Hawaii, and our two abodes would work well for YOU when summers get warm in the islands–especially September or October.

We also run a b&b (in Cambria), see at hercastle.cc, which is what we do when we’re not traveling.

We have quite a number of friends who only stay in Hawaii for 6mos out of the year and yet they don’t rent out their Hawaii homes or condos. The few who did learned soon that it’s not worthwhile the money.

Unless you know the people closely, whether it’s for a house swap or home rental, it’s really taking your chances. i think.

Home For Swap has launched http://www.homeforswap.com, a community website that allows users to exchange homes with each other, thus saving on hotel costs during their next vacation. In addition to saving on lodging costs, members are to find out that they can save even more since their free home also gives them access to other amenities for free, such as a kitchen for meals, a washer and dryer, and even DVD’s. Some residences have free internet access and amenities such as bicycles to take in the local sights. Some members even swap automobiles.