Pros

Pay no rent.

Enjoy the comforts of home while you are on the road.

No need to dine out. It’s your choice.

You’ll get to experience local grocery shopping, which can be quite different in other countries.

In many cases you’ll have the use of a car.

Living amidst “the locals” can add an unusual depth of perspective to your trip.

Home exchanges don’t always involve homes. People swap homes to stay in someone’s yacht, or even their RV so they can tour an area. You can often find unique lodging options that are unavailable or quite expensive via other means.

Cons

The websites that facilitate these connections are much more geared to vetting the house-sitter than the homeowner.

House-sitting and home exchanges take time to set up. You can’t and wouldn’t want to just book your desired dates. You need to get to know the people in whose home you’ll be staying, and vice versa.

Since you are likely going to be at your site during the off-season, consider the weather and seasonal closures. Owners leave for a reason.

You are responsible when things go wrong. Things will go wrong.

It’s not all free. Don’t forget the expenses you’ll incur. Consider the cost of getting there and back, and the cost of getting around while you’re there. Budget for groceries, meals out, and any utilities you’ve been asked to pay.

Flexibility and self-sufficiency are required. No matter how good the instructions, you’ll have to find and figure things out for yourself.

Know what you’re getting into

If you’re house sitting or swapping in a foreign country, be sure you have permission to stay in that country for the length of your sit. Be very careful of telling the immigration authorities that you are “working” as a house sitter. That opens another whole can of complications, as getting a work permit is a lot harder than being a tourist.

Take the time to research the local area. Just because the homeowner chooses to live there doesn’t mean you would.

Keep up to date with local news in the area. Similarly, find out the weather patterns for the duration of the time you’ll spend there.

Have a suitable amount of communication with the owner beforehand. Talk to them via Facetime, Skype, or Zoom. Get a feel for their standards and put their mind at ease.

Ask the homeowner exactly what you need to do. Perhaps there are rooms they’d prefer you didn’t go into. Ask how the washing machine works. Find out when and how the garbage will be picked up. Ask where the keys are to be left when you leave. Request references from anyone who has house-sat for them before.

Always get a mobile number and/or email address for the homeowner. You’ll need to reach them if anything goes wrong or you need their advice about something.

It’s also good to ask about practicalities. How far is their home from the nearest shops? How can you access shopping facilities if you won’t have the use of a vehicle? Will you be provided with internet access? Are you permitted to have friends come to stay?

Once you’re there get out and visit the area as much as possible. You are still a traveler.