Frequently asked questions

What is Abode?

Abode is a technology platform where property owners can list a home, find a match, and propose a trade directly with another owner, without going through a traditional sale. Abode is not a real estate broker, agent or attorney.

Who can use Abode?

Any property owner can list and trade, as long as the property is in the United States. You must be the legal owner of the property you list, or an authorized representative of the owner. You do not have to be in the U.S. yourself to use the app. Like any U.S. company, Abode cannot provide service to people in countries under U.S. sanctions or on a U.S. sanctions list.

Renters can use Abode too, to list a lease takeover (sublet).

What do I need to list a home?

You will add details and photos, upload a document that shows you own the property (such as a property tax bill, mortgage statement or recorded deed), and pay the one-time listing fee. Your listing is not visible to other people until the fee is paid. You are responsible for making sure everything in your listing is accurate.

Can I browse without listing a home?

Yes. You can browse, search and save homes without listing anything.

Does a trade have to be equal in value?

No. The app shows how the two homes compare, and both sides agree on the terms before accepting. If the values differ, any money that changes hands is arranged directly between the two owners, usually through their own closing or title company. Abode does not hold, send or process money for trades. Where a home still has a mortgage that the other person would take over, what matters is the equity (the value minus what is still owed), and the app shows you both numbers.

Is a match on Abode a binding contract?

No. A trade proposal or acceptance on Abode is a non-binding expression of interest. It does not transfer ownership or oblige anyone to finish the exchange. A legally binding transfer needs separate written documents, prepared and reviewed by a qualified attorney and signed under your state's law.

What does Abode charge?

There is no commission and no fee that depends on a trade happening. You can pay for two things:

• A one-time listing fee for each property, paid when you publish it: $249 on the Free plan, $125 for Manor members, $65 for Estate members. Lease takeovers (sublets) have no listing fee.
• An optional membership. Manor is $24 a month or $216 a year. Estate is $79 a month or $708 a year (the yearly price is 3 months free). Members pay a lower listing fee and get higher placement in browse results.

There is no charge for proposing, accepting or completing a trade, and Abode does not charge for inspections.

Are fees refundable if a trade falls through?

The listing fee is non-refundable once paid, because it pays for having your property listed whether or not a trade happens. Since no fee is charged for trades, nothing is charged or refunded when a trade is cancelled. You can cancel a membership at any time and keep the benefits through the end of the period you paid for.

How are payments handled?

All payments go through Stripe. Abode never sees or stores your full card number.

Who arranges the inspections?

You do. Once a trade is accepted and you both move forward with inspections, each of you hires your own inspector for the property you are trading for, and pays them directly. Abode does not choose, schedule, employ or vouch for any inspector. Use the chat to arrange a time and access with the other owner, then upload one report for each home in the trade. Both of you can read all the reports. You have 45 days from when addresses are shared to finish. If you need longer, you can ask the other owner for 1 more week at a time, up to six times. If they approve, both homes stay in the trade. If they decline, the deadline stays as it is, and when it passes the trade ends and both homes are open for trading again.

What if we need more time for inspections?

Either of you can tap "Ask for more time" on the trade screen. The other owner approves or declines. If they approve, 1 more week is added. This can be done up to 6 times. If the time runs out, the trade ends on its own and the homes become available again.

What is the 72-hour review period?

Once a report is uploaded for every home in the trade, a 72-hour review period starts automatically. It gives you both time to read the reports and decide whether to proceed, renegotiate, or walk away. You cannot proceed during this window.

When do I see the other home's street address?

Once the offer is accepted, you both move forward with inspections. When you both have, full addresses and contact details are shared, so each of you can hire an inspector for the property you are trading for. Moving forward with inspections does not commit you to the trade. After the inspections, each of you decides whether to proceed to the deed step. City, state and ZIP code are always visible so you can research the area first.

Can I trade a home that still has a mortgage?

Yes, if the loan can be assumed (taken over by the other person). Not every loan can. FHA, VA and USDA loans usually can; most conventional loans cannot. The lender has to approve any assumption. Ask your lender for a formal release of liability, because without one you can stay legally responsible for the debt after the home changes hands. Abode does not manage or guarantee lender approval.

Do I need a real estate attorney?

We strongly recommend one before you sign any deed. In some states an attorney is legally required, and for those states the app does not offer its do-it-yourself deed tool and points you to a directory of independent attorneys instead. Abode is not a law firm or a title company, and attorneys in the directory are independent professionals, not part of Abode.

Why can't I share my phone number or email in chat?

Until you both move forward with inspections, chat blocks phone numbers, emails, links, and anything that reveals where a property is. This keeps trades safer for everyone. After you both agree, addresses are shared, the other person's email and phone number appear on your trade screen, and chat is no longer screened so you can arrange the inspections.

Will Abode email me about my trades? What is in those emails?

Yes. When something happens in one of your trades, such as a new offer, an answer to your offer, an inspection step, a deadline reminder or a new chat message, Abode sends you a short email with a link to open the app. To protect your privacy the email never includes a street address, phone number, email address, real name, the text of a chat message, a cancellation reason or the contents of an inspection report. It only says what happened, shows the other owner's alias (like "Owner K7Q3") and names the homes by title, city and state. You can turn these emails off any time in Profile > Notifications. Text messages and push notifications are not available yet.

Can someone work out my address from my photos?

Abode removes the hidden location data that phone cameras add to photos, and the app checks photos for visible house numbers and street signs and asks you to retake or crop them. Please still take care with what appears in the frame. No check is perfect.

How do I report a listing or message, or block someone?

In the app, tap the "..." button at the top of a listing, a trade or a chat and choose Report or Block. You can also press and hold a single chat message to report it. Blocked people cannot send you offers or messages, and you will not see their listings. We aim to review every report within 24 hours. You can also email support@abodeswap.com.

Will Abode settle a disagreement between me and another owner?

No. Abode is not a mediator, arbitrator or escrow agent, and is not required to investigate or resolve disputes between users. You are responsible for resolving them directly with the other person, with your own attorney if needed.

How do I delete my account?

In the app, go to Profile, then Delete My Account. You cannot delete your account while a trade is still in progress. You can also email us to ask. See Delete your account for details.