Luxury Home Exchange and home swap- how it work

---

Simple Video Explaining Home Exchange Systems

Wouldn't it be great to have holiday homes all over the world rather than just one in the same old place? Well, with IVHE swap system you can have just that! No, we’re not suggesting you go out and buy more properties. In fact you don’t need to spend any more money, just put the value of your current vacation home to better use.

Unlike conventional home exchanges, IVHE allows you to trade holiday homes without the need for both parties to swap at the same time or with each other. It also gives you the flexibility to trade up to a larger home, or a more exotic location.
Home Exchanging really is a simple way of saving thousands on your vacations. a simple explainer video on the different types of home swap options that you can chose from.
Just imagine turning your one wonderful vacation /second property into thousands of options around the world, with home exchanging and trading you can do just that.

Take a look at www.IVHE.com. Also, check out our membership options, low costs, and the benefits of our credits-based system of home exchanging.

Read More

Great vacation home exchanges, go peninsular

---

BRAVO BAJA

Baja is a peninsula that hangs off the northwest shoulder of Mexico like an arm reaching down for the Tropic of Cancer. It stretches south -- with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other -- until it touches the Tropic some 700 miles away. It is a land of mountains and deserts; but with over 1900 miles of coastline, it also presents spectacular beaches, bays, islands and, of course, resort communities that attract vacationers from around the world, including home swappers.



Photo source: fleckr, V. Litvinov

 The peninsula is divided into two states, each with its own popular vacation destinations. They both share abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, building castles in the sand … and building castles in the sky.
 Baja California Sur, the southern state on the peninsula, boasts the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, collectively known as Los Cabos. They are only 18 miles apart and share a common airport, but they each offer a distinctive vibe for visitors.  Cabo San Lucas is more of a city than a town, with trendy shops and swinging nightlife. San Jose del Cabo is more of a town than a city, with the quaintness and charm of old Mexico.
North of Los Cabos,   between the mountains and the sea, is a small village not as renown as Los Cabos, but with a big reputation for hospitality – Barriles. If any kind of water sport is your favorite vacation activity, Barriles is your kind of place.  World class big game fishing tops the list.

 IVHE Swap Property #0024:       Cabo San Lucas.                         

Would you prefer a secluded private beach or a curvy pool in a lavish garden? The choice of sunning spots is yours. Views of the Pacific, the Sea of Cortez, or the town of Cabo San Lucas?  How about all three?  This one bedroom home exchange suite on the top floor of Finisterra’s Palapa Beach Club offers a combination of  first-class amenities, incredible views, a sense of serenity, and walkable access to the city, the marina, and the famous Los Arcos rock formation.

 

 Home Exchange Property #0406:
      Condo, San Jose del Cabo.
Luxurious, spacious two bedroom/three-bath condominium situated on a golf course with a spectacular view of the Sea of Cortez. Six other world class golf courses are within a 10 minute drive. Three swimming pools, a tennis court, and a health and fitness spa are all part of the package. Walk to town and explore the delicious sights, sounds, and flavors of Old Mexico.

IVHE Home Exchange Property #0606: 
Two-bedroom Contemporary Home
This architect designed exchange home is fully walled and gated for complete privacy. Within the walls you will find resort style gardens with a swimming pool, fountains, and lush landscaping. When you’re ready for the ocean, your host can help arrange excursions and boat charters for big game fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin or whale watching, as well as rentals for ATVs and jet skis.

Baja California (Norte) – This northern state features two vacation destinations popular with home exchange visitors  -- Rosarita on the Pacific, just 30 minutes south of San Diego, and San Filipe on the Sea of Cortez,

Rosarita sits in an area known as The Gold Coast.  In addition to the draw of the sea and surf, Rosarita attracts visitors with theatre, art galleries, wine tasting, and sophistication. It is one of the wealthiest, most developed areas in Mexico.

San Filipe is a lovely little town that’s all about laid-back living. It holds events and happenings year ‘round, including a salute to tequila, and a Welcome-Back-Snowbirds festival with food and entertainment.  

IVHE Home Swap Property #0788:
     Ocean front  condo, Rosarita
This modern, comfortable, convenient two-bedroom unit in Club Marena for home swaps, a world class resort, is sure to deliver a first-class vacation experience. Enjoy a cocktail on the spacious balcony, a dip in the pool, a swing on the tennis courts,  a burn in the exercise room, a sigh in the spa, and the peaceful sound of the surf.  The shops, restaurants and other attractions of  Rosarita are a short drive away. 

 Home Exchange Property #0789:
Oceanfront home, San Filipe

A private home for exchange, away from the crowds, set in the privacy of over one acre of oceanfront property.  Just you and the pelicans enjoying peaceful lazy days, walks on the beach, soft white sand,  beautiful sunrises over the Sea of Cortez, and brilliant sunsets over the desert mountains.  

IVHE Vacation Home Exchange has mucho other properties in Mexico and around the world. Take a look at www.IVHE.com. Also, check out our membership options, low costs, and the benefits of our credits-based system of home exchanging.

Hasta la vista!

Read More

Typhoon devastation in the Philipines

---

An IVHE-Home Exchange Hero Needs Your Help

The northern part of Cebu island in the Philippines is picture-postcard beautiful -- azure sea, stately palms, tranquility everywhere. IVHE guests at Eva’s beach house would sit out on this deck, sip a drink, and watch the pelicans fly by. It didn’t get much better than this.

It’s hard to imagine that a monstrous typhoon of unheard-of magnitude would come roaring in from this peaceful sea and lay waste to practically everything in its path.

The roof of Eva’s beach house was ripped away in the first hour of the typhoon.  Water damage was extensive. Eva’s loyal caretakers, Raul and Rosalie, lost their home completely.

The storm surge was tsunami-like in its destruction. The fishing village nearby was literally flattened. Death and injury were widespread. Most of the survivors (many friends of Eva's) have been left homeless and desperately in need of help.

Eva is doing more than her share. She helping organize a food relief effort that has kept 60 families from going hungry. Emergency medical and shelter needs are her next priorities.   Eva plans to keep up her effort for as long as it takes. She is an inspiration to us all.  

IVHE home exchange is helping by donating 20 percent of its new membership fees to Mercy Corps, a global charitable organization already hard at work in raising funds and supplies to assist the storm survivors and local responders like Eva.  Prospective new IVHE home exchange members can make it happen by simply entering MCHELP in the promo box when they sign up. Mercy Corps is a charity you can trust, ranking among the top in accountability and transparency.

If you are an existing member and would like to help Eva's fishing village to rebuild their homes and lives, you can make a donation via IVHE vacation home exchange by emailing info@ivhe.com

Eva will rebuild. Help others do the same. And thank you.

Read More

A ground-transportation question:

---

To drive or not to drive?

IVHE- home exchange property listings show whether a car is needed, whether one would be useful, and whether one is available to the guest. More often than not, a car will be needed or at least useful. But the exceptions can be awesome.

A car is not required in many IVHE home swap locations because the property is centrally- located in a pedestrian-friendly city,  or is efficiently served by public transportation -- subways, metros, trolleys, trams, buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, or rickshaws.  

Home Exchange Property #0228: France, Cote d'Azur – A luxury apartment in the heart of Cannes on Rue d’Antibes – one of the city’s hottest shopping streets. You don’t need a car to get there, and you don’t need one to get around. Restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas, the theatre, train and bus stations are all in walking distance, as is the famous seafront promenade La Croisette, where you’ll find more shopping  -- high end luxury items and designer clothes – and an ocean view that would be amazing if the huge numbers of impressive yachts weren’t so distracting.

 

Home exchange property#0749 -- Walk to the gondola from this cool condo in Breckenridge, Colorado, USA. Ski in at the end of the day; then walk to the restaurants, bars, and nightlife of main street for après ski par excellance.   If you want to try the slopes of nearby Copper Mountain or Keystone for a change, free bus service is available. For a car-less trip all the way, take a fare-based shuttle bus in from Denver International Airport and back again.

Home swap property #0806 – You couldn’t drive a car to this luxurious cottage in Ontario, Canada, if you wanted to. It’s on an island in a lake and only accessible by boat.  Civilization – shopping, restaurants, and golf – are just a short boat ride away, if you like that sort of thing. Perfect for an executive retreat or family vacation.

One of the sweetest deals you can get through an IVHE home exchange is use of a vehicle for a few extra credits; or, in some cases, no credits at all. A host-provided car saves you the hassles of dealing with a rental car company, but you will still need to check out insurance and license requirements, and any special rules of the road -- like braking for kangaroos.

Luxury home exchange property # 0549: This award-winning beach house in New South Wales, Australia, comes with a 2008 Landrover Defender with 4wd for no extra credits.

Okay, if you’ve fallen in love with a property for which a car is necessary, it’s time to say “car hire,” or “car rental.”  However you say it, it can still be a pain in the bumper seat.

 Be sure to shop around on-line and compare more than just rates before you book. Delve into the terms and conditions and know what is, and what is not, covered by your personal auto insurance and your personal credit card or bank card in the event of an accident or damage to the car.

Then, when you get up to the rental counter and the agent launches into his spiel about the dire consequences of smashing the car without having paid extra for Collision Damage and Loss Damage waivers (picture shackles in a medieval dungeon), you can confidently say “no thank you,” or you can go ahead and sign up for the extra protection you know you might need. When in doubt, sign up. A medieval dungeon is a terrible place.  

Be sure to inventory any dings and dents on your car, and have the agent make note of them before you drive off.

And, finally, don’t be a fuel fool. Rental companies in some countries offer you the “convenience” of returning the car without refueling; that is, return it and they will fill ‘er up for you. And charge you way (double way) more than the going price. If you have the option of returning the car with a full tank that you pump yourself, take it. If you don’t, rent from someone who does.  The savings can be significant.

If you have any helpful advice or vacation experiences involving cars, or no cars, please share them with us in the comments section of this blog. We're all ears.

Enjoy your vacation quarters and ground transportation, whatever it may be.

Wishing you a smashing holiday – in a good way.

To find out more about properties in the International Vacation Home Exchange, and how to get to them.  Visit us at www.ivhe.com.

Read More