We had a great time in Vegas, but my suggestion not to swap homes there seemed more relevant the longer I stayed.
Everywhere in Las Vegas signs are posted advertising "Homes 50% off!" "Foreclosures!". Budget hotels all over the city offer one and 2-bedroom "apartments" for $150 to $250 per week.
This is not good news for home exchangers. The reason most people want to swap homes is to vacation in a new location. Visitors, by definition, are not familiar with new places. Thus, swappers may have trouble getting a good sense of the sort of neighborhood where a swap home is located.
Exchangers tend to spotlight positive aspects of their homes. If the neighbors are in foreclosure, it is unlikely that someone would choose to highlight that fact. If you are considering swapping in an area with a high rate of mortgage defaults, swapper beware.
Las Vegas is a bad bet for home exchangers due to its high foreclosure rate, high rate of hotel vacancy, and easily-available complimentary meals and other amenities. Most of the excitement in Vegas is located on or near the "Strip". Few people own properties in that exciting and expensive location.
There are lots of great places to swap homes. Las Vegas, or other places where many home-owners are in default, is not one of them.
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