The idea of a ‘fair exchange’ is up to the individual. Whilst some people do seek similar sized properties, not everyone does; many people value the variety of experiences. For example, a member from a Western culture will likely WANT to experience life from your perspective, in a smaller, traditional Japanese home or unit.

Often people just want a comfortable, clean base from which to explore the area. They are not interested in critically appraising the architecture or style of an individual’s house.

This is your home. You may consider it humble in comparison to a property you would love to exchange with, but this does not make it in any way inferior. Most members recognise that homes cannot be rated according to tourism stars, because they are spaces where people live their lives, making them comfortable, unique and intimate.

The people who have the most success in exchanging are those with an open mind, who do not presuppose what others in the HomeLink community will think.