From Favorites List to Boarding Pass: How We Turn HomeExchange "Loves" into Real Trips
One of the most interesting features on HomeExchange isn’t a map or a search filter.
It’s the Favorites list.
Every time another member adds our Palm Springs condo to their favorites, it reminds us that someone else can picture themselves staying there someday.
But over time, we realized something else.
Those favorites aren’t just flattering—they’ve become one of our favorite ways to discover future travel opportunities.
More than an ego boost
At first, it was simply fun to see where people were from.
Then we started looking more closely.
Many of the members who had favorited our home owned places we would love to visit ourselves.
Instead of being just a list of people who liked our condo, it gradually became a personalized collection of potential destinations around the world.
Sometimes the next trip begins with someone who already discovered us.
The homes that catch our attention
Over the years, we’ve seen interest from members in a wide variety of places.
Some are along the California coast, including Healdsburg, Oceanside, Long Beach, and Seal Beach.
Others are in cities known for their design, culture, and walkable neighborhoods, such as Portland, West Hollywood, Vancouver, Paris, and Québec City.
We also love seeing homes in nature-focused destinations like Germany’s Black Forest, Lake Constance, Bellingham, Packwood, and mountain communities where hiking and skiing are part of everyday life.
Seeing these homes reminds us how many incredible places become possible through HomeExchange.
How we decide where to go next
Of course, we can’t visit everywhere at once.
So we usually narrow our choices based on two simple questions.
First, does the destination fit our calendar?
Summer often feels like the perfect time for Europe.
Canada is especially appealing during the shoulder seasons.
Mountain destinations are ideal when we’re looking for a winter getaway.
Second, does the destination match the kind of trip we want?
We’re naturally drawn to places that are easy to explore on foot, have a strong local culture, and offer neighborhoods where it’s enjoyable to spend time outside, discover local cafés, and experience everyday life.
Those priorities usually matter more to us than famous tourist attractions.
Starting the conversation
When we find a home we’re interested in, we simply reach out.
Our first message is usually friendly and straightforward:
“Hi! We noticed you saved our Palm Springs home to your favorites. We love your home as well and wondered if you’d be interested in exploring a HomeExchange together. We’d love to hear what dates might work for you.”
There’s no pressure.
Sometimes the timing isn’t right.
Other times, that simple message leads to a wonderful exchange.
Making non-simultaneous exchanges work
One feature we especially appreciate is the flexibility HomeExchange offers.
Because our Palm Springs home isn’t always available at the same time another member wants to travel, we often explore non-simultaneous exchanges or GuestPoints stays.
That flexibility makes it much easier to fit exchanges around our own schedule while still making the most of our home when we’re away.
It’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to travel more often without feeling tied to matching calendars exactly.
Final thoughts
Our Favorites list has become much more than a collection of saved homes.
It’s a source of inspiration, a planning tool, and often the beginning of our next adventure.
Some of our favorite trips started with a simple click on the heart icon.
If you’ve been thinking about trying HomeExchange, we’d love to have you join the community. Use our referral code roderick-15918 when you sign up.