Just that really? I keep reading that until you have exchanged and have reviews it’s hard to secure homes or swaps. So how does it work when your brand new?
Hello. It’s harder but not impossible 
a good option is also to exchange with an another newbie member
You could always try to get a short local swap to get your first reviews. Or host first, so that members know that you will really open your home to guests. Some members are afraid that new members joined for the free points and see it as a free holiday.
Welcome on Homeexchange LauraW
When i started 2 décades ago, before the GPs, i had no review and no … listing!!!
Because it was cheaper to only contact and not to have the full access.
My appartement was common in a untouristic suburb in a country where nobody knew we could exchange homes.
I had great doubt someone would come to my place.
We took no risk and look for a place where we could go by car (no ticket) and exchanged at 200 km in an untouristic area.
It worked so well that we went to a foreign country for the 2nd exchange.
At this time it was really based on trust with reciprocical exchange.
No money.
The review were not so important and always nice.