ThirdHome’s luxury positioning makes sense in parts of LA \u2014 Malibu beach houses, Beverly Hills estates, Hollywood Hills homes with infinity pools. These are genuine luxury vacation properties that fit ThirdHome’s model perfectly.<\/p>\n
But ThirdHome only accepts second homes. The overwhelming majority of LA residents \u2014 even those in beautiful, desirable properties \u2014 live in their primary residence. A screenwriter’s Spanish bungalow in Los Feliz, a designer’s mid-century modern in the Hollywood Hills, a family’s craftsman house in Pasadena \u2014 these are primary homes. ThirdHome excludes them regardless of their beauty, character, or desirability to visitors.<\/p>\n
SwapSpace<\/a> welcomes every LA home \u2014 owned or rented, bungalow or apartment, beachside or hillside. Your home’s value comes from its neighbourhood character and California lifestyle, not from being a vacation investment.<\/p>\n ThirdHome is an exclusive home exchange platform designed specifically for owners of luxury second homes and vacation properties. Unlike mainstream home swap platforms, ThirdHome requires that listed properties meet strict quality and value criteria \u2014 typically homes valued at $500,000 or above. The platform operates on a membership plus credits model, with an annual fee of $595 per year. Members earn credits based on their property’s appraised value and use those credits to book stays at other luxury properties, resorts, yachts, and even experiences. ThirdHome positions itself firmly in the luxury travel segment, offering concierge services and curated travel experiences alongside home exchanges.<\/p>\n ThirdHome targets luxury vacation property owners, which excludes the vast majority of LA residents.<\/p>\n Primary residences are excluded regardless of value or desirability.<\/strong> ThirdHome doesn’t accept the home you live in. In LA, where even modest homes in good neighbourhoods are worth well over $1 million, this exclusion is particularly absurd. A $2 million craftsman in Hancock Park is excluded because someone lives there, while a less characterful vacation condo in Palm Springs qualifies.<\/p>\n The $595 fee targets a narrow demographic.<\/strong> ThirdHome’s annual membership is steep even by LA standards. The platform is designed for people with multiple properties and the wealth to maintain them \u2014 not for the working professionals, creatives, and families who make LA’s neighbourhoods interesting and whose homes visitors actually want to stay in.<\/p>\n The credit system favours property value over lifestyle value.<\/strong> ThirdHome assigns credits based on appraisals. But in LA, desirability is about lifestyle \u2014 proximity to the beach, neighbourhood walkability, outdoor space, the vibe of your block. A modest Venice bungalow near the boardwalk is more desirable to most visitors than an expensive condo in Century City, but ThirdHome’s system would value them inversely.<\/p>\nWhat Is ThirdHome?<\/h2>\n
Why Los Angeles Travellers Are Looking for ThirdHome Alternatives<\/h2>\n
ThirdHome vs SwapSpace: How They Compare<\/h2>\n