Why Swaphouse Uses a Match-Based System—Inspired by Dating Apps

Our mission is simple: to make home swapping easy, fun, and stress-free. Instead of scrolling through endless listings and sending requests that might go unanswered, Swaphouse focuses on meaningful matches. We believe it’s the difference between a frustrating search and an exciting discovery. After all, planning a swap should be an adventure from the very beginning.

By taking cues from proven online matching models—and adding our own twist—we’ve built a platform where you can effortlessly meet fellow travelers who appreciate your home and lifestyle as much as you appreciate theirs. This collaborative approach helps you spend more energy on organizing your trip and less time filtering through options that don’t fit. Let’s dive into how it exactly works.

How our match-based system works

1. List your home

The first step is simple: sign up and list your home on Swaphouse. Once you’ve added your home details—like location, number of rooms, and available amenities—you’ll get full access to our Explore page.

2. Explore homes, one at a time

Swaphouse avoids overwhelming you with endless property listings. Instead, you’ll see one home at a time, each tailored to the filters you’ve set—whether you’re looking for a specific location, a certain number of rooms, high-speed WiFi, or pet-friendly accommodations.

3. Like or pass

Whenever you come across a home that piques your interest—be it for a trip next month or even next year—tap the green heart button to “like” it. If it’s not a suitable fit, simply hit the red pass button and continue exploring. This approach makes browsing easy and enjoyable, helping you focus on homes you’d genuinely consider swapping with.

4. It's a match!

If you like another swapper’s home and they like yours as well, you’ll have a match. At this point, you can chat directly with each other. There’s absolutely no rush—this system allows you to build a network of potential swaps over time, so you can plan trips whenever you’re ready.

5. Connect and plan

Once you’re matched, you can get to know each other better—try scheduling a video call to discuss travel dates, house rules, or anything else you’d like to clarify. Whether you’re hoping to swap next month or looking ahead to a distant holiday, the Swaphouse match-based system makes coordinating your home exchange both convenient and fun.

Successful Home Swap Video Call Tips

In this article, we will provide tips and advice on how to have a smooth video call with your home swap match.

Why we chose a match-based system

No more unwanted messages

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional home-swapping platforms is the flood of irrelevant messages. At Swaphouse, we’ve eliminated this frustration by ensuring you only receive messages from people whose homes you’ve liked—and who have liked your home in return.

A quick example:

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional home-swapping platforms is the flood of irrelevant messages. At Swaphouse, we’ve eliminated this frustration by ensuring you only receive messages from people whose homes you’ve liked—and who have liked your home in return.

Let’s say you’re specifically looking for a home swap in Europe with at least two bedrooms. On other platforms, you might still receive requests from users offering a studio in Asia or a one-bedroom apartment in the U.S.—homes that don’t fit your needs. This forces you to spend time declining offers or explaining your preferences over and over again.

With Swaphouse, that’s no longer a problem. You simply like homes in Europe that meet your criteria, and only homeowners whose properties you’ve liked—and who like yours in return—can message you. This ensures that every conversation is relevant and meaningful, making your home swap experience effortless, enjoyable, and stress-free.

No wasted time sending swap requests

Finding a home swap shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. On many platforms, you have to send multiple requests, hoping someone is interested, only to be left waiting for a response—or worse, never getting one at all. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to plan your next trip.

With Swaphouse, there’s no need to reach out blindly. Since matches are formed only when both parties have expressed interest in each other’s homes, every conversation starts with a clear mutual intent to swap. Instead of spending time sending messages that may go unanswered, you can focus on real opportunities—people who have already liked your home and are open to making a swap happen, whether that’s in the near future or further down the line.

And even if your availability doesn’t line up right away, that’s no problem! Since you’re already matched, you can stay in touch and keep the swap on your radar for another time. It’s an easy, no-pressure way to build a collection of matches for future swap opportunities.

Flexible & future-proof matching

Another big advantage of our match-based system? You don’t have to swap right away. Your matches stay, even if you’re not ready to plan a trip yet. If you see a home you love, simply tap the green heart—it’s like bookmarking it for the future.

This way, you’re building a wishlist of potential swaps. Maybe it’s a beachside villa or a charming countryside retreat—whenever the timing works out, you already have a match in place. There’s no pressure, no deadlines—just a growing list of exciting possibilities for your next adventure, whether it’s next month, next year, or sometime down the road.

Inspired by what works

We designed Swaphouse’s match-based system by taking inspiration from something that has already changed the way people connect online—dating apps. Just like a great date only happens when there’s mutual interest, a home swap should be the same way: both sides should be equally excited about the exchange.

The best dating apps don’t overwhelm users with endless options or force them to send requests that might go unanswered. Instead, they focus on mutual interest, creating a more seamless and enjoyable experience. We applied that same idea to home swapping—because finding the perfect home swap should feel exciting, not exhausting.

Pro Tips to Make the Most of Matching

To get the best experience with Swaphouse’s match-based system, here are some smart ways to make the most of it.

✅ Like as many homes as you genuinely like

Think of liking homes as opening doors to future possibilities. Even if you don’t have immediate travel plans, collecting matches now expands your options down the road.

• Build your future options: Every new match you create becomes a potential swap opportunity, whether it’s next month or next year.
• No pressure: Liking a home doesn’t lock you into a swap; it simply opens the door to a conversation as soon as the other swapper likes your home as well.
• Maximize your matches: The more likes you give, the more travel options you’ll have to explore when you’re ready to pack your bags!

✅ Be open-minded about destinations

Sometimes, the best swaps happen in places you hadn’t even considered. While it’s tempting to focus only on popular destinations, staying flexible can open the door to unique and unexpected travel experiences.

A cozy cottage in the countryside, a vibrant city you’ve never explored, or a coastal town off the beaten path—these swaps often turn out to be the most memorable. By broadening your search, you’ll increase your chances of finding the perfect match while discovering places you might not have thought of before.

Keep an open mind—you never know where your next adventure might take you!

✅ Use the ‘Passed homes’ tab

Changed your mind about a home you passed on before? No problem! Just head to the ‘Passed Homes’ tab on the Explore page, where you can undo a pass and turn it into a like.

Whether you accidentally skipped a great option or just reconsidered, this feature on our platform gives you a second chance to match with a home that might be perfect for a future swap. So don’t worry about making the wrong call—you can always go back and give it another look!

✅ Check your ‘Match requests’ tab

Want to see who’s interested in swapping with you? Head to the ‘Match Requests’ tab! Here, you’ll find a list of homes from swappers who have already liked your home—but you haven’t liked or passed yet.

Take a moment to browse through these homes. If you see one you like, simply tap the green heart, and just like that—it’s an instant match! This is one of the easiest ways to find swap opportunities and start chatting with people who are already excited about your home.

✅ Keep your listing and profile updated

A great listing attracts more matches! Make sure your home is well-described and has clear, high-quality photos so other swappers can easily see what makes it special. The more detailed and inviting your listing is, the more likes—and potential swaps—you’ll receive.

How to Take Great Photos of Your Home for Home Swapping

Great photos really matter. In this guide, we'll give you easy tips to take awesome pictures of your home.

Also, keep your availability and house rules up to date to avoid confusion and make the planning process smoother.

And don’t forget about your profile! Adding a friendly introduction and a photo of yourself (and any family members joining your swap adventures) helps build trust and makes it easier for others to connect with you. A little personal touch can go a long way in securing the perfect home swap!

Final thoughts

We believe, Swaphouse’s match-based system makes home swapping more enjoyable, efficient, and stress-free. By focusing on mutual interest, you’ll only connect with people who are genuinely excited about your home, allowing you to spend more time planning the trip of your dreams.

Ready to give it a try? Sign up today and discover just how easy it is to find your perfect home swap!