12 Ways For A Homeowner To Travel Around The World

21 Apr 12 Ways For A Homeowner To Travel Around The World

You have heard us preach about our “quit it all and sell everything” methodology to get you to travel around the world. I guess you don’t blame us – it is exactly what we did in order to get on the road and travel full time (like we have been doing since March 2015). But what if you’re not ready (or worse, able) to just pack up and go because you’re a homeowner? What if it’s not as easy as just selling the furniture, and packing a bag?

 

 

Before leaving, we were renting an apartment in Johannesburg, a mere 5 minute drive away from our offices, and as much as it was liberating to sell everything, pack-up, and leave, it was also rather sad. We loved our little apartment – it had a great tub, big balcony with barbecue, and some fantastic neighbours living below us (miss you Sean & Gen!) But we had to do it – we had to leave, and maybe you too are just counting down the days until your lease ends, or you’re just about ready to end yours because you’ve realised it’s time to hit the road. Great – that’s super simple then. In the words of the famous tick – just do it.

But what if you’re not renting? What if you have a mortgage, and a very real monthly debit order that you simply cannot get out of as easily, because you are in fact a HOMEOWNER.

Well, although we’ve never been homeowners, we have done A LOT of research into the topic for our TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD online course and eBook (which you can check out here), and we can happily say that you do not need to fret! Sure, you won’t have such a dramatic exit like us, selling it all and only owning that which fits into your 2 bags…but you can still very much jet set to the nearest island, without having to sell your most prized investment. In fact, your home might even allow you to fund your trip…we know several travellers who are doing just that, and are finding a way to own a home and travel full-time.

 

 

Below we’ve listed 5 ways that you, as a homeowner, can still keep your home, and travel far, far away, to start ticking off that Wandelrist of yours. So sit back, and start planning your departure.

 

12 Ways For A Homeowner To Travel Around The World

Airbnb

Just like their website says, “no matter what kind of home or room you have to share, Airbnb makes it simple and secure to earn money and reach millions of travellers looking for unique places to stay.” Personally, we’ve only seen the benefit of Airbnb as travellers (renting out rooms from people on the platform), but can very much see the benefits from the other side too. The platform has only grown from strength to strength, meaning many potential eyes on your apartment or home, but of course also many competitors on the platform, so you’ll need to work extra hard to have your spot stand out from the rest *tip – catchy headline and quality photos go a long way. There is no major sign-up fee, but Airbnb will take a commission off each sale you make, so at leats you won’t lose money, unless you’re making some first.

 

 

Fully-furnished Rental

Similar to Airbnb, if you’re planning on travelling for a while and don’t want to sell your furniture and let go of that property investment, you could chat to any of your local rental agencies about listing your property as a long-term rental. The benefit of a long-term rental is A LOT less admin than Airbnb (where visitors sometimes stay as little as one night, requiring courteous communication and cleaning after each visit) and if you find the right tenant, your home could be looked after while you’re out galavanting across the globe. The downside? Once you commit to a contract, your home will be unavailable to you, so you’ll need to stick it out through your six-month or one-year travel plans…which may not be such a bad thing, right?

 

 

Home Exchange

The Home Exchange platform has over 65,000 homes listed in over 150 countries. As the name suggests, you you will ‘exchange’ homes with other homeowners, giving you both an opportunity to have a taste of someone else’s life (and their surroundings) for the same travel dates. Unlike Airbnb, you won’t be making money each time someone stays at your home, but you will be saving money as you’ll be getting their home for free. It’s a superb concept if you can find a place (and willing suitor) in a location you really want to visit, and at the same time that you want to travel. In order to get in touch with other home exchangers, you’ll need to pay an annual membership fee of $130.

 

 

Love Home Swap

Similar in concept to Home Exchange, except that with Love Home Swap, you don’t need to match travel dates with the other homeowners. As your home is “rented out” you earn points, and then you use those points to rent other homes – in whatever country and time of year that suits you. Currently only homes in 11 countries are listed, but with the clever search tool, you might just find exactly what you’re after. You can try the service free for two weeks, then choose one of three memberships (starting at US$20 per month).

 

 

Intervac

As they themselves say, ”we are all richer when we share” – the guys over at Intervac were the pioneers of the home exchange idea. The database lists homes across the six major continents, and showcases homes ready for swapping, and homes that are available for rent (without an actual exchange needed). You can trial the program free
for 20 days, or sign up to an annual membership for US$78, or a two-year plan for US$110.

 

 

Guardian Holidays Home Exchange

As with all the home exchange programs, if you’re interested in a luxury home exchange, a country cottage, or a city apartment, you can arrange a home swap and enjoy free holiday accommodation by joining the guys at Guardian Holidays Home Exchange. You can trial the program free for two weeks, or sign up to an annual membership for US$79, or a six-month membership for US$49.

 

 

Home Link

Home Link is another home exchange database, with thousands of listings all over the world, but the unique thing about Home Link is that if you have two homes, you can link them both to one membership, and only pay for one listing. After your 30 day free trial, you’ll need to pay US$150 for a year’s membership, US$255 for a two-year membership, or US$345 for a three-year membership.

 

 

Third Home

A niche offering for the multi-home owners (and those that crave luxury travel), is the Third Home Club, enabling owners of luxurious second homes to ”exchange time in their home for stays at premier luxury destinations worldwide”. Third Home will need to review and approve your second home in order for you to become part of the Club, but once you’re in, you’ll pay a US$2500 initiation fee, and then anywhere from US$395 per exchange. A great option if you do own a holiday home and are tired of the same scenery on your holiday.

 

 

House Swap Holidays

The guys at House Swap Holidays have a home exchange database specifically for people from Australia and New Zealand, so if that’s you, this might be your best bet at finding a suitable holiday home to swap with. They offer a 50% discount on your first year’s membership (at US$45) and after that you’ll need to pay the full US$90 per year.

 

 

Trusted Housesitters

If you’re a pet owner as well as a homeowner, then this will be the absolute best option for you. You’ll get to travel for as long (or as little) as you want, while some friendly, happy traveller gets to look after your pet and home in your absence, for free. We can vouch for the service (not as hosts, but as pet-loving travellers) as we managed to stay in two beautiful homes in New Zealand and Canada, while the owners travelled, and cannot recommend the concept enough. There’s nearly 30,000 pet- and home-sitters on the platform, eagerly waiting to plan a trip (perhaps your hometown) so your chances of finding someone suitable are extremely high. You can also vet the sitters through a Skype call, and read reviews based on past pet- and housesits they’ve done. As a host, you will have free access to browse the sitters, and then once you’re ready to make contact, you’ll need to become a member for US$110.

 

 

House Carers

Based on your location, this service will match you to suitable house sitters nearby. You’ll list your home, and potential house sitters in your area will receive a notification letting them know your home is available. They’ve been at it for nearly 20 years, and although house sitters need to pay an annual membership of US$50, as a homeowner you can be a member for free. There’s really no harm in signing up.

 

 

 

Paw Shake

Only available to pet- and homeowners in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom, Singapore, Finland and Switzerland, this service will link you (as a homeowner) to a pet sitter in your area. Unlike Trusted Housesitters, the pet sitters that will be in touch are not travellers, but rather locals who know your area well, because, well, they live there themselves. You can sign-up for free but you’ll need to pay for your pet sitter based on their rate.

 

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