Before the “staycation,” taking time off to stay home was dubbed “a trip to Porchville.” Second Porch provides an alternative for vacationers who want a change of scenery: hang out on a friend’s porch!

Second Porch invites us to “discover the vacation home network that exists within your social connections.” It’s challenging the vacation rental industry by providing Facebookers with a way to fill vacation homes with friends rather than strangers. With the typical Facebook network reaching approximately 17,000 people, all with a friend in common, renting on Second Porch becomes less risky, as users can “see the face behind the place.”

Boasting an investment of five minutes or less, Second Porch’s approach to vacation rental is a new concept. Listings appear on the poster’s Facebook wall and become part of their news feed to friends. This functionality allows the comfort of operating in a closed network, a bonus in an era of cyberstalking and identity theft.

Interested in swapping houses? In Second Porch’s experience, 45% of listers are open to trading rather than renting. After their stay, vacationers are encouraged to provide “no-burden recommendations,” consisting of one click with optional comments. And, in this shaky economy, many owners of the estimated 7.5 million second homes are looking to turn their investments into a source of revenue, creating a significant market for Second Porch.

• This startup was founded in September 2009 in Portland, Oregon
• The company was recently awarded $1 million in funding from the Oregon Angel Fund to be used to expand the workforce, enhance the site and increase marketing efforts
• The basic listing on Second Porch is free; a paid option provides the opportunity to link to photos on Flickr, property web sites or other promotional tools

Second Porch provides a great opportunity for Facebookers who are looking for a place to stay. Networking their way to homey digs, potential tenants can take note of attractive properties and follow them for potential future trips. Second Porch allows for bypassing dubious properties that may provide nasty surprises and dealing with only trusted friends instead. And, it makes it easy to share information with others involved in group getaways!