Over the last 6 months, we did a lot of research on the old forums and we also (with members help) became actively involved with the National Housing Federation on their project involving mobility within the Social Housing Sector.
But what made you choose an exchange site? Was it because it was free or was it because it looked popular? Other reasons?
Our research showed a third of members on the old forums weren’t even putting up adverts – so are they the real windowshoppers?
One free site states it has nearly 23,000 members and seems really chuffed with that amount. Does seem a good member list- until you notice it only has just over 200 adverts. Those figures are terrible. Less than 220 of members actually advertise their property. Thats a whopping 95% (aprox) that do not advertise! I’d be pretty unhappy about those stats if I was them – its all very well having the members but it helps to have the adverts as well!
We have noticed lots of other sites (paid or free) do this as well. Your membership is there forever regardless of the fact that you may not have visited for ages. They never ask you if you want your details removed. You are just there …. bloating up their membership total. We don’t do that. Our membership total is current and in the last 6 weeks every member has been emailed asking if they wish to unsubscribe – due to our new forums opening. And Yes – we’ve removed those that asked – not a problem. Another subscription only site states it has over 150,000 direct matches. Huh?
The National Housing Federation Statistics show just over 7000 people exchanged their homes last year (thats the reason I said “huh?”). At least our membership total is a figure you can trust.
So a word of caution – if you do join a site with a large membership total …. it might not always be what it appears to be. Just because it looks like a duck …. on this occasion it might not waddle and quack like one!
(+4 rating, 2 votes)
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One Response to “Your chosen Homeswap/house exchange site – why did you choose it?”
joyceannett
1 year ago
When I first started looking on the internet for exchanges all I knew about was the usual council one (don’t think I’m allowed to name it). My son looked up exchanges and came across quite a few for me. This site here being one of them. I looked through everything and liked the look of what I saw …. so I decided to become a full paid member. Now not once have I regretted my decision to do so and have been quite happy to come over here.
I am also a member of a couple of other sites. There has been a new one that started a few months back and to be honest I did put an advert with them because they were free. But I have only had one enquiry! There are a couple of others that I joined but have had no luck with them either. Then I was sent a link from a friend to facebook about a homeswap exchange? I clicked into it but couldn’t understand it …. so I haven’t bothered with it since! I would rather stay here where I know where I stand …. and will get the help I require if need be.