I'm one of the co-founders of hoppswap.com — a home swapping platform matching people through their shared interests and lifestyle.
I'm looking for some feedback. Home swapping isn't new but the awareness of the concept is still early days. 3 in 10 are aware of it globally, yet 1 in 10 actually make use of it according to the data.
There seems to be a pull into 'living like a local' over the last few year as well as being able to save costs through swapping homes.
I'd be interested in hearing how many people would consider swapping homes as a means to travel through the comments below. Those that have already, those that have thought of doing it but haven't and those who have never heard of it!
👉 Yes or No and the reason behind it........Thank You!
Head of Digital & Growth, BudgetBro Travel Budgeting App
Great concept Mo. Reminds me of the couch surfing days.
I've noticed the Help section isn't linked to anything?
I feel the site would benefit from more explanation about the process of the verification/ what is involved in this, especially what extra protections for females/LGBT in place.
Additionally, maybe a visual of the process of swapping, to show it and how you actually go through the swap process. Good luck.
Thanks Nathan and appreciate the feedback around this, for sure - we're rolling some fresh updates out over the next week to guide members. What's been interesting is that most of our community have swapped using online forums eg Facebook/Instagram but haven't used a platform which has infrastructure to enable them to do it so hand-holding this part as you say is super important.
Yes, but mostly when it fits around existing bookings.
What we are noticing is that hosts are far more open to the idea when it revolves around nights that would have stayed empty anyway, rather than feeling like they are giving something up. That shift seems to remove a lot of hesitation.
Thanks Lamont, matches with some feedback we've been receiving, a few folks have shared it stops feeling like they're sacrificing or 'giving something up' as you say and more that they've found value.
Yeah 100% security is a big blocker and I’ve heard similar feedback from others on why they sign up, browse, but then maybe don’t end up swapping.
For us it’s also who you’re actually swapping with that matters more than the property.
One of the things we’ve done Jazz is built real world filters like women to women, families only, LGBTQ friendly and lifestyle matching swaps. Clear badges from and verification show who’s been checked and who’s actually swapped before.
As a standard we’ve also partnered with third parties for ID checks and damage protection and our board includes the Head of Legal at Revolut because this matter so, so much! Thanks for your feedback, really appreciate it.
I wouldn't - but I've been burned trusting people in my home. Also, not a fan of when the homeowner is a smoker (lingering!) or has lots of pet duties for one to do.
I guess trust/vetting would have to be incredibly strong and reliable and expectations on both sides need to be finite. Wishing you success.
Thanks Mary and for sure. Once you’ve had a bad experience it really sticks right.
That’s exactly the stuff we’re trying to remove upfront tbh. People first, not homes and some of the filters I’ve mentioned before that actually matter like non smoker, pets or no pets, lifestyle stuff for smart filtering, so there are no surprises or weird expectations when you arrive.
We’re big on trust being visible too. Third party ID checks, clear badges, damage protection etc. Plus house rules agreed before anything’s confirmed so everyone knows what they’re walking into. Videos and getting to know one another are also part of the experience of making it human!
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Hey guys,
I'm one of the co-founders of hoppswap.com — a home swapping platform matching people through their shared interests and lifestyle.
I'm looking for some feedback. Home swapping isn't new but the awareness of the concept is still early days. 3 in 10 are aware of it globally, yet 1 in 10 actually make use of it according to the data.
There seems to be a pull into 'living like a local' over the last few year as well as being able to save costs through swapping homes.
I'd be interested in hearing how many people would consider swapping homes as a means to travel through the comments below. Those that have already, those that have thought of doing it but haven't and those who have never heard of it!
👉 Yes or No and the reason behind it........Thank You!
Cheers
Mo
Great concept Mo. Reminds me of the couch surfing days.
I've noticed the Help section isn't linked to anything?
I feel the site would benefit from more explanation about the process of the verification/ what is involved in this, especially what extra protections for females/LGBT in place.
Additionally, maybe a visual of the process of swapping, to show it and how you actually go through the swap process. Good luck.
Thanks Nathan and appreciate the feedback around this, for sure - we're rolling some fresh updates out over the next week to guide members. What's been interesting is that most of our community have swapped using online forums eg Facebook/Instagram but haven't used a platform which has infrastructure to enable them to do it so hand-holding this part as you say is super important.
Yes, but mostly when it fits around existing bookings.
What we are noticing is that hosts are far more open to the idea when it revolves around nights that would have stayed empty anyway, rather than feeling like they are giving something up. That shift seems to remove a lot of hesitation.
Thanks Lamont, matches with some feedback we've been receiving, a few folks have shared it stops feeling like they're sacrificing or 'giving something up' as you say and more that they've found value.
I have signed up to a swapping platform and have used it once in...years. Security seems to be my main pain point.
Yeah 100% security is a big blocker and I’ve heard similar feedback from others on why they sign up, browse, but then maybe don’t end up swapping.
For us it’s also who you’re actually swapping with that matters more than the property.
One of the things we’ve done Jazz is built real world filters like women to women, families only, LGBTQ friendly and lifestyle matching swaps. Clear badges from and verification show who’s been checked and who’s actually swapped before.
As a standard we’ve also partnered with third parties for ID checks and damage protection and our board includes the Head of Legal at Revolut because this matter so, so much! Thanks for your feedback, really appreciate it.
I wouldn't - but I've been burned trusting people in my home. Also, not a fan of when the homeowner is a smoker (lingering!) or has lots of pet duties for one to do.
I guess trust/vetting would have to be incredibly strong and reliable and expectations on both sides need to be finite. Wishing you success.
Thanks Mary and for sure. Once you’ve had a bad experience it really sticks right.
That’s exactly the stuff we’re trying to remove upfront tbh. People first, not homes and some of the filters I’ve mentioned before that actually matter like non smoker, pets or no pets, lifestyle stuff for smart filtering, so there are no surprises or weird expectations when you arrive.
We’re big on trust being visible too. Third party ID checks, clear badges, damage protection etc. Plus house rules agreed before anything’s confirmed so everyone knows what they’re walking into. Videos and getting to know one another are also part of the experience of making it human!
Really appreciate you sharing this, thanks Mary.
Yes I would consider swapping homes as a means to travel