Different from a simultaneous home exchange as described above, hospitality exchange is when the exchange parties host each other in their homes at agreed upon times. In other words, your home exchange partners stay with you as guests and then you go and stay with them as their guests.

Hospitality exchanges undoubtedly have a social aspect that can be beneficial and that some exchangers particularly enjoy. You also get your own in-residence "tour guide" with this type of arrangement.

Most exchanges last anywhere from 7 to 30 days. However, there are no limits - it is completely up to you and your exchange partner to decide!

This is the most common concern for those considering doing a home exchange for the first time. To help you feel reassured, remember that exchange partners are also trusting their home to you and share the same concerns about it as you do regarding the care of their home. No doubt, they are asking the same question about you. Prior to swapping homes, you will communicate with your exchange partners by e-mail, phone, letters or fax. This 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. Most exchangers are professional people from all walks of live including teachers, nurses, executives, business owners or retirees who are financially secure and respectful of their own and others' property.

Car exchanges are a common component of most home exchange. Making this a part of a swap is completely up to the exchange partners.

Home owner's insurance normally remains in force to cover guests in your home, and since no financial transaction is involved, your exchange partners are your guests. Depending on the policy, there is often a limit of 30 days. Surprisingly, most insurance companies prefer an occupied home by guests vs. an unoccupied home. It keeps the burglars away!

***We recommend that you check your homeowner's policy or speak with your agent regarding the details of a home exchange to find out what is covered and what is not.

Regarding car insurance, we also suggest that you check with your insurance company. We are aware that many policies cover drivers other than the policy holder. Also, for quite reasonable rates, you can usually purchase limited, short-term insurance, if necessary.

NOTE: LDS HomeXchange assumes no responsibility for the security or belongings of a member's property.

The most common arrangement is for both exchange parties to arrange for a family member or friend to meet the exchange family at the airport and drive them to the exchange location. If this is not possible, send them very clear instructions as to what public transport they should take. Then maybe a friend could pick them up from the train station or bus terminal close to your home.

Of course. Be truthful with the description of your home and emphasize the advantages it and the area has to offer. You will be surprised to find that there are many people willing to exchange their larger or more luxurious residence just for the opportunity to travel to and stay in your area. And not to mention the convenience of not having to stay in a hotel!

People travel to different places for a variety of "non-vacation" reasons as well, such as graduations, weddings, holidays, visiting relatives, regional conferences, temple trips, etc. It is also a fact that while you may consider your area as ordinary or "boring", others may see it quite differently. For example, your out-of-the way hometown may be a geologist's dream-playground or the perfect getaway for a novelist. We suggest that you don't limit yourself - you never know who may want to exchange with you!

It all depends on your exchange partner's preferences. For some people, looking after their exchange partner's pets is a task they enjoy. However, exchange etiquette says that one should not impose pets upon anyone who clearly does not want the responsibility. Many exchangers will use your home as a base for daily sightseeing trips and will not want to be tied down by pet care.

That is the beauty of this type of service because there is probably another family out there similar to yours thinking the exact same thing! Home exchange is for all types of people and families-families with younger children, families with older children, couples with no children, couples who travel with couples, singles, etc. It is mistake to think there isn't a possible exchange partner out there looking for you right now!

As much as you want! LDS HomeXchange does not limit you to any specific number of home exchanges. We merely provide the best available LDS environment for home exchangers to post their information and meet other exchangers.

Yes! Of course, we recommend that you do post at least one photo since you are more likely to be contacted for an exchange opportunity.

If you are unable to upload a digital picture to the website, you can mail your pictures to us and we will scan and post them for you at no cost. Please include your information on the back of the photo(s):

Your name, Membership ID# (assigned when you sign up), exchange property address, name on the back of the photo). Mail them to:

LDS HomeXchange
105 South State Street #116
Orem, UT 84058

Note: mailed photos will not be returned

There is currently no charge for listing your home or arranging an exchange. As we grow the "inventory" on our site, LDS HomeXchange is offering a 12-Month free membership. Please tell all of your family and friends worldwide about this introductory offer!

When LDS HomeXchange does begin charging for service, annual pricing will be $29.

The free 12-month promotional membership end date is still undetermined.

Note: Anybody who signs up before the "end date" will receive 12-Months of free service. (e.g. a member who signs up on December 15, 2006 will have free service until December 15, 2007)

Your personal contact information is not accessible to people without a membership ID#, a password, and a home posted for exchange. LDS HomeXchange respects your privacy and DOES NOT sell or give out any personal details, including contact information, about our members to other organizations or individuals.

No. In order to protect our members from uninvited data compilers who scour sites to gather contact info, we require members to post their own home information in order to gain access to LDS HomeXchange's members' home and contact information.

Also, because exchanging homes is the basis of our service, we feel it is only fair that someone interested in a particular member's home should also post their home and information on the site, thus creating a fair exchange environment for all.