Anyone done a house swap?

[ScarletApple]

Or attempted it? Or had a family member that did?

I think we're about to lose our buyer as we can't find anywhere to go, and I'm trying to think creatively about our next move. For a variety of reasons, our current house is perfect for a downsizer, both in size, location and condition. We're trying to up-size in the same village and I've often thought a swap could be a really neat solution for everyone (only two houses in the chain - possibility of a private sale etc.).

What downsides am I not seeing? How would it work in practice?

We swapped. We needed smaller and they needed bigger. There were no downsides as I remember, and it was good not to be in a chain.
I do remember that our 'swapping partners' had the idea that this was going to make us all lifelong friends and that we would have fun visiting our respective 'old' homes...errr, no, that wasn't going to happen!

We know people who did. The ones who downsized couldn't sell ( many years ago) and were doing up a place abroad (retired) so downsizing still released money and they continued to have a bolt hole here to escape the builders, see family and spend time in the UK. Great idea also for the ones who wanted to upsize.

Legally and logistically it’s not that complex, I had a couple of friends who bought each other’s flats and in practice it wasn’t substantially different to any other sale and purchase.

I suppose the main downside is the length of time it’s likely to take you. The likelihood of finding somebody in the same village who owns the house you want to buy and also happens to be looking to downsize and specifically to downsize to somewhere in the same village and even more specifically to your house is going to be pretty slim.

Thanks! I agree finding someone who thinks our house is right for them is probably the obstacle here - we might think it’s ideal but the seller may not…