The recession is proving a profitable time for businesses that have harnessed Web 2.0 to bring people luxuries at an affordable price.  For similar reasons that have seen users flock to LoveFilm so too have membership numbers increased on home exchange sites, but whilst LoveFilm provide cheap rental, home exchange sites provide accommodation abroad for almost no cost at all.

The UK HomeExchange website was launched last year by Julie Osborne after the company enjoyed great success Stateside.  An article in the BMI inflight magazine recently reported that: although the global recession has definitely had an impact on subscribers, their first injection of additional numbers came after the 2006 release of the film, The Holiday, when users over a two year period increased by almost 80% from 10,000 to 18,000.

Home Exchange sites work by providing one site for all accommodation to be viewed.  In return for a yearly fee users list their property’s and search for others they would like to exchange with.  Packages of varying price allow for properties to be grouped essentially by value.  HomeExchange’s Gold package for example includes Mansions, Chateaux and Castles, although there is a price to pay with a yearly membership fee in excess of £300.

HomeLink, now run by Caroline Connolly was founded in the 1950s, and backs the evidence that these sites are gaining more momentum in direct correlation with the recession.  It is interesting to note from the article in the BMI inflight magazine that whilst their total numbers are not as impressive as those of HomeExchange, they have still reported a jump in users since the economy came under pressure.

If you have a home worth swapping, a dwindling bank balance and would like free accommodation why not check out one of these sites.