Fri Jul 30 2010
Betty and Bob Shiffman of Frankfort like to go on vacation, but they don't like to pay for hotels or car rentals while they're traveling.
Luckily, they are part of an international phenomenon that has been going on since the 1950s, and is gaining popularity on several Web sites.
The Intervac USA Web site says, "In 1953, Intervac invented home exchange allowing house, apartment and timeshare owners all over the world to swap their properties with others."
Sites like Intervac, Homelink and Digsville.com all have one aim: to allow families like the Shiffmans all over the world to exchange homes, cars, pets, and hometowns for short vacations.
"What I think attracts people like us is to be a real part of the community," Betty said.
The process is a long one, at least for the Shiffmans. They begin talking to a prospective home swap family about six months in advance, and then once they have gotten to know the people whose house they will inhabit while abroad, they schedule a home swap.
"We're friends before the exchange ever happens," Betty said. "After seven exchanges, I can say we've never been surprised."
The Shiffmans have exchanged homes with people in a variety of areas in Europe and the U.S. They have exchanged with families from England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands and Florida.
After visiting all of those places and becoming part of the community for a short time, it's hard to pick a favorite place, Bob Shiffman said.
"They've all been phenomenal, really really amazing," Bob said, citing northern England and Stonehenge as some of his favorite sites.
The Shiffmans said since Frankfort is not a traditional tourist stop like New York City or Disney World, they usually are the first to make home exchange offers. However, they said people who become interested in exchanging with them are attracted to the rich history of the state capital.
"Generally, the people who are interested in our place are people who have already seen the main spots," Betty said. "Kentucky is usually a surprise to them " there are so many stories that capture peoples' imaginations."
When the Shiffmans exchanged with a family from Scotland, the Scottish family went to Shelbyville and went golfing during their visit. When the Shiffmans went to England, the English couple who visited Frankfort explored the equestrian culture abounding in the area, and when the Shiffmans exchanged with the family from the Netherlands, the Dutch family drove all over the Midwest in two cars.
"The exchanges have all been very happy," Betty said.
Betty said their house also drew people because it is larger, so more people or more than one couple can visit at a time.
While some people question how one could let another family inhabit one's home, Bob Shiffman said people who are open, adventurous and outgoing are likely to enjoy the home exchange programs.
"If you're that kind of person, it's for you," he said.
Betty said anyone interested in the home exchange program should talk to someone involved in it before trying it.
"Talk to people who've done it, maybe start with an exchange in the U.S. or Canada," she said.
Whether in the U.S., Canada or the Netherlands, the Shiffmans tout the home exchange program as less expensive and more like a home away from home.
"It's a much more intimate way of taking a vacation," Betty said.
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