Vacation Home Swap Opportunities in St. Augustine with The Vacation Exchange Network

In yesterday’s blog post about St. Augustine, we highlighted the variety of sights to see and activities the oldest city in the United States offers to its visitors.

What better way to visit St. Augustine than with a home exchange?  The Vacation Exchange Network has many beautiful homes available for swap in St. Augustine and the surrounding area.  Here are just a few:

This modern oceanfront St. Augustine, Florida vacation home is steps away from beach and may be the perfect property for your next home exchange.  Stunning wrap-around deck has private hot tub.  The kitchen is modern with granite counters and upgraded Viking appliances.  Vacationers can collect sharks teeth, surf, fish, charter a deep sea fishing boat, rent jet skis, para-sail, scuba dive, and rent ocean kayaks.   The restaurants and culture of St. Augustine are less then 5 minutes away.

This ocean-side 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath condo in St. Augustine is 50 yards from the beach.  Available are 2 pools and tennis courts, property is located across the street from the intracoastal waterway.  Come to sail, tour, windsurf, surf, play golf, or just relax.

This ocean view condo has private beach access.  The 2 bedroom, 2 bath home is newly remodeled and sleeps 7.  The complex is gated, has 2 pools, tennis, a hot tub, and shuffle board.   The property is just minutes away from Historic Old St. Augustine, Sawgrass, (home of Tournament Players Club), and the World Golf Village.

Home Exchange with The Vacation Exchange Network

Remember that with The Vacation Exchange Network, you always have the choice of mutual (direct) home swaps or non-mutual (indirect) home swaps.  Browse our vacation home listings, or contact one of our Exchange Coordinators to find your next vacation!

Come back to our blog tomorrow for members’ reviews of St. Augustine golf and restaurants!

We at The Vacation Exchange Network have always believed that our uniqueness speaks for itself.  But thanks to one of our members, it no longer has to….

When Berne and Sam Webb were on a home exchange vacation in the Bahamas, a conversation with a few couples from Miami, Florida quickly turned into a lively presentation about the benefits of The Vacation Exchange Network, complete with a hands-on demonstration!

The Webbs have been Vacation Exchange Network members for a few years.  Last year, they traveled to Sanibel Island, Florida on a non-mutual house swap.  Berne tells me the Sanibel home was beautiful.  Located a few blocks from the beach, it also had a pool in the backyard.  Perfect for an afternoon swim or as a backdrop to evening cocktails.

North Bimini Island in the Bahamas was the Webbs’ vacation destination this year.  This home exchange was mutual and non-simultaneous; the owners of the home in Bimini plan to travel to the Webbs’ home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts at a different time — when the weather in Cape Cod is at its best.

So, how did we convince Berne to serve as our remote marketer?

No convincing was necessary.  Sitting in a North Bimini Island cafe, Berne and Sam struck up a conversation with a few couples sitting at a nearby table.  “What brings you to the Bahamas?” they asked each other.  Berne’s response that she was on a home exchange sparked wide eyes from the other couples, so Berne went on to provide them with a lively description of home swapping with The Vacation Exchange Network.  With her fellow cafe goers’ interest piqued, Berne opened up her laptop, fortunately remembering  her PIN, and took her captive audience on a tour of the Vacation Exchange website.  The other couples were laughing and clapping along with Berne’s enthusiasm.  Apparently, she didn’t even need the white board and film projector we offered to send her!

One of the Miami couples was particularly interested in traveling to Italy, so Berne showed them The Vacation Exchange Network’s homes in Terracina, Rome, and Teramo.

Berne tells me that she raved about the travel opportunities afforded by vacation home exchanges.  Since the Webbs’ children are grown, their travels no longer need to be tied to school vacations.  Like our other members, the Webbs enjoy the freedom and flexibility afforded by the non-mutual and non-simultaneous home exchanges that are the hallmark of The Vacation Exchange Network.  The Webbs can travel when and where they’d like to travel, without the necessity of finding someone else who wants to use their home at the same time.

While hiring a public relations firm to do publicity about The Vacation Exchange Network might get us a few lines in some travel magazines and allow us to garner invitations to a few fancy cocktail parties, having members like the Webbs is much more rewarding.  Our thanks to the Webbs,  and to all of our other members, who speak so graciously about our service.

Please visit The Vacation Exchange Network’s site to join our home swap network, to learn more about how home exchanges work, or to refer a friend to The Vacation Exchange Network.

Have you had an opportunity to tell someone about The Vacation Exchange Network or about your home exchange vacation?  We’d love to hear about it.  Use the comment box below or contact us via email.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Vacation Home Exchange Opportunity in Kauai, Hawaii

Besides offering a haven of tranquility or a home base for your adventures, vacation homes also offer many owners a major source of income.  A substantial number of vacation and second home owners rent their homes to vacationers.  This rental income is not inconsequential.  Some vacation rentals can go for as much as $12,000 or more per week.  But, even the most desirable vacation properties in the most desirable vacation destinations have unrented weeks.

So, the vacation home sits empty and unused, and the owners of the vacation home consider the week a loss.  This doesn’t have to be the case.  That unrented week can be used in a home exchange, also called a home swap.  By joining The Vacation Exchange Network, an unrented week in your vacation home enables you to take that trip you’ve been dreaming about, in the United States or around the world.  And you can take your trip in an affordable way, avoiding the high cost of lodging.

You don’t have to wait for someone to use your home in order for you to make a home exchange. Unlike other home swap companies, you can travel when and where you want without having to find someone to use your home.   Simply find a vacation home in our Network, or have our home exchange coordinators find one for you, and arrange to stay there for your vacation.  The other home owner will receive an Exchange Credit to be used on a future vacation.  Similarly, when you allow another Vacation Exchange Network member to use your vacation property, you’ll receive an Exchange Credit.

Home exchange is a great way try spring skiing in Colorado, Utah, or Vermont, to dust off those golf clubs in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, or to travel somewhere you’ve never been.  Just browse through our vacation properties to get some ideas, and we’ll help you find that perfect vacation.

To learn more about home swaps, including how to list your vacation home, how to join our home swap Network, or what makes The Vacation Exchange Network a unique house swap program, please visit us at www.TheVacationExchange.com.  We look forward to helping you plan your next vacation!

No more lamenting those unrented weeks; they’re your key to your next vacation!

Do you dream about international vacations in Mont Tremblant, Aruba, New Zealand, or Switzerland?

Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada Vacation Home Available for Exchange with The Vacation Exchange Network

Beautifully Landscaped Home in Aruba Available for Holiday Home Swap with The Vacation Exchange Network

New Zealand House Exchange on Lake's Edge in Bay of Plenty Available for Your Next Home Swap

Switzerland Chalet Overlooks Swiss Alps and Mont-Blanc Available for Vacation Home Exchange

How about an island vacation in Nevis,Turks and Caicos, or Puerto Rico?

A Waterfront View of the Caribbean: Cades Bay, Nevis Holiday Home Available for Swap with The Vacation Exchange Network

Luxury Condo Overlooking an Azure Blue Sea Available for Home Exchange on the Island of Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Gorgeous Palm Tree Landscaping at This Puerto Rico Vacation Home Available for Swap with The Vacation Exchange Network

Or an unforgettable trip to Arizona, New York, Maine, or Hawaii?

Scottsdale Arizona Vacation Home in Gated Community Near Phoenix Available for Home Swapping with The Vacation Exchange Network

Three Bedroom, Doorman Building: New York City Apartment Available for Home Exchange with The Vacation Exchange Network

Mount Desert Island Maine Vacation Home on 16 Acres Available for Home Exchange with The Vacation Exchange Network

Kauai Hawaii Vacation House in Exclusive Princeville Resort Available for Home Exchange

How Can Home Exchange Help You Realize Your Vacation Dreams?

With home exchange (also called home swap, home trades, holiday house exchange, and many other names), take your vacation anywhere your dreams take you.

At its core, the idea of a home swap is really quite simple — swap a stay in your vacation home for a stay in someone else’s home.

The uniqueness of The Vacation Exchange Network is that you can vacation when you want and where you want without having to find a home exchange partner who wants to use your home.

Home swapping and traveling on a budget go hand in hand.

With housing exchange, your home enables you to take unforgettable vacations on a budget.  You can save thousands of dollars on your holiday by leveraging one of your biggest assets, your vacation home.

To find out more about how home swaps work, how to list your vacation home for swap, how to join our home swap Network, or how to arrange your home exchange, please visit us at The Vacation Exchange Network’s website.

At The Vacation Exchange Network, we have many, many beautiful and one-of-a-kind homes listed for home swap.  One such home has recently been added to our Network….

Lotus Lake House in Grass Valley, California Available for Home Exchange

Lotus Lake House is an award-winning, eco-friendly lakefront retreat.  A home exchange at this home would truly be a one-of-a-kind experience.

A One-of-a-Kind Experience — Available for Your Next Home Swap Vacation

Situated on 8 acres of private and secluded forested property in California Gold Country, the owners of the Lotus Lake House say they’ve cleared just enough trees to have fabulous views of Rollins Lake.   Speaking of the lake, this home boasts a lake view on three sides.  The massive deck wraps around the house and features several dining areas, a new Weber BBQ gas grill, and rockers and loungers.   The home’s glass walls open up to the deck, transforming it into one large indoor/outdoor space.  This blend of indoor and outdoor living  makes the house feel quite large and enhances the experience of being a part of the serene, natural environment.

Lotus Lake House is secluded enough for that quiet or romantic getaway that you’ve been dreaming about, yet it is close enough to a variety of activities that you can fill your days any way you choose.  A private trail takes visitors to the lake, where kayaking, sailing, swimming, and water skiing, jet skiing, and many more outdoor activities are available.  Some of the best hiking in California can be found nearby.  If you’d like to explore the greater area, Lake Tahoe skiing and sightseeing, historic Gold Rush towns, antique shops, and several wineries are all close, along with a variety of restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing locales.  You certainly won’t run out of things to do in this neck of the woods.

Award-Winning Architecture Meets Eco-Friendly Design

Award-Winning Architecture of Lotus Lake House

This ultra-modern, entirely “green” home was designed by award-winning architect Michelle Kaufmann and debuted on the front lawn of San Francisco’s City Hall for the 2007 West Coast Green conference in San Francisco.  The home has been featured in Sunset Magazine, Inhabitat, EcoGeek.com, and FineHomeBuilding.com.

This completely “green” contemporary house has a sleek modern design, lots of windows, and cool welcoming tones.  Wood flooring throughout is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.  The shower and bathroom flooring are made from recycled glass.  Those who are interested in reducing their vacation carbon footprint will be thrilled to learn that the home is  completely off-grid and has 145 points from “Build it Green” certification and a “Keep the Sierra Green” Certification.  Solar panels provide the energy required for radiant-floor heat, heat-pump air conditioning, and Energy Star appliances.

High-end modern furnishings compliment the Lotus Lake House

Brand new, high-end furnishings compliment this ultra-modern, eco-friendly home.

Exchange Homes Where Outdoor Meets Indoor at the Lotus Lake Home

How Your Next Vacation Could Be a Home Exchange at the Lotus Lake Home

The Lotus Lake Home in Grass Valley, California could be your next vacation destination!  With The Vacation Exchange Network, vacation and second home owners can travel affordably by swapping a stay at their home for a stay at someone else’s home.  The uniqueness of our Network is that you can exchange when and where you want, without having to find someone to use your home.  If you stay at someone else’s home, and they aren’t interested in your home, they receive an Exchange Credit, which they can use for a future home exchange.  Our home exchange coordinators can help you arrange your next home swap.  If you are not already a member of The Vacation Home Exchange Network, join our home swap program today!  Membership is free for the first year!

The Vacation Exchange Network is a unique home exchange program that allows home swappers to travel when and where they want, without having to find someone who wants to use their home.  You may think you need to re-read that sentence, right?  Well, you read it correctly.  Yes, it is true — you do NOT need to find someone who wants to use your home in order for you to travel with The Vacation Exchange Network.  We are the only home swap program that offers this type of Non-Mutual Exchanges, while also offering unbeatable customer service, help finding and arranging your home swaps, and the promise that we’ll prove our value before you pay.

Our blog will help us showcase upcoming home swap opportunities, share our insights about home exchange and travel in general, and bring you stories of our members’ home swap experiences.  We hope that you’ll read our blog often and add to the conversation by commenting on our posts.  To be sure you stay updated, subscribe to our RSS feed, and bookmark us on your favorite social bookmarking site.

Of course, we invite you also to visit our main site at www.thevacationexchange.com and to become a member of our Network.

We’ll see you back here soon!