House
Swap
for a
Vacation Home Away
from Home
A
home exchange or house swap is - we trade house,
apartments, flats or condos. You
stay at my place while I stay at
yours. By swapping homes for a
vacation, two families, from different
parts of the area you live in, from
other regions of your country, or the
world - agree to exchange homes for a
vacation or holiday. Typically home
swaps are arranged for 1 to 4 weeks
with cars an option to be included in
the arrangement. There is also the
option of exchanging homes for a
relaxing weekend getaway to a nearby
location. Some travelers use a home
exchange as a means of affordable
longer term free accommodation.
Since no money changes hands between
the parties - you can have the a first
class vacation anywhere in the world
and free home accommodation!
Where
do I start?
This
web site is for you. To learn about a
vacation home exchange, about trading
spaces for short term and longer
term holidays and
perhaps to join the thousands of
individuals and families that travel
on a vacation home exchange each year.
Here are some ideas on how to arrange
and prepare for a successful home
exchange.
Home
exchange has been around for decades.
It might take a few e-mails, faxes or phone calls to arrange
the swap, but once you have agreed
most things fall into place.
Together with exchanging homes you may
swap cars - brilliant for low-cost
touring or day trips. You also swap
advice about local sights, services,
pubs and bargain shopping.
People unfamiliar with the process are
often concerned that their home won't
be suitable - perhaps too small, or in
an unfashionable location.
These concerns are rarely obstacles to
a successful swap; after all, home is
home, and if you're happy with your
place, chances are someone else will
be, too. Home swappers can be singles,
family groups or retirees. Teachers
have embraced the concept more than
any other profession, perhaps due to
their holiday or work-exchange
opportunities, and self-employed
people often have the flexibility to
take holidays.
Not that holiday home swapping is
purely for international travel. Many
travelers happily trade homes around
their own nation.
"Once
bitten by the vacation home exchange
bug, many people choose to swap homes
in different locations every year.
Some have made over 50 vacation house
swaps over several years.
Although the majority of home swappers
trade once a year, it is possible to
fit two or three swaps in a typical
year. Even local trades are
possible–and practical–for those
who don’t want to travel far."
From
a home exchange article featuring
Global by Arthur Frommer, world
renowned travel writer.
Because,
when all is said and done, a home
vacation exchange is the single most
logical, reasonable, sensible, indeed
brilliant, method of vacationing in
travel today. Instead of leaving your
home or apartment empty and unused
during the time of your vacation, you
derive a benefit from it, you treat it
as an asset. You trade places
temporarily for another home or
apartment, eliminating all costs
of lodgings from your vacation budget.
One
of the first questions to ask is when
would you like to go? Some home
exchangers like to plan years ahead,
while others are open to swapping
homes within a few days. Most
home exchangers, however, start
looking for exchange partners 9 to 12
months ahead of going. Start by
exploring the home
exchange listings. Then have
fun planning and writing your own
listing.
IDEAS
ON HOW TO GET AN EXCHANGE
List
your home. Be sure to
include photos of your home or area
you live in. Give yourself some
time to find an exchange. Many
experienced home swappers plan to
start seeking an exchange 6 to 9
months before they travel.
Creating
the initial "sell" letter
The
first letter you send to potential
exchangers should express your
tentative interest, pending further
correspondence.
Introduce
your family, the ages of your
children, careers, hobbies and special
interests. Especially when teens and
kids are involved, including a family
photo is a good idea.
Outline
the advantages of your home–i.e.,
its proximity to tourist attractions,
shopping, safe and quiet neighborhood,
climate.
Provide
a detailed description of the interior
and exterior of your home, listing
features like working fireplace,
oriental carpets, antiques,
childproofing, barbecue and outside
eating area
If
offering a car, give the make, year
and condition. An automatic makes
driving on an unaccustomed side of the
road much easier.
Provide
references if you are an experienced
exchanger.
List
your preferred dates and length of
exchange. The more flexible you are,
the better your chances.
Be
honest. Your abode may be humbler than
that villa in Tuscany where you’re
hoping to go, but if the time and the
place are right, your potential
exchange partners would probably
prefer your home to a hotel.
CONGRATULATIONS
-YOU HAVE A HOME EXCHANGE! SO NOW
WHAT?
Here
are several "class" ideas
that experienced home exchangers have
contributed. You may have other
helpful ideas. You are warmly welcomed
to share these with others.
No
need to redecorate, but leave your
home spotless. Dust, mop and vacuum
floors, clean out the refrigerator,
scour the stove and oven, and clean
the windows. Make sure bathrooms are
free of mold and mildew.
Clear
away enough of your own things in
drawers, closets and bathroom
cupboards so your guests have room to
empty their suitcases and make
themselves at home.
Leave
at least two sets of linens and
towels.
Arrange
for people to tend the garden and
pool, as well as clean the house if
you and your fellow exchangers have
not agreed to do these chores
yourselves.
Write
your house and car insurance companies
to inform them of the exchange dates.
Your home insurer is likely to
consider the presence of house guests
to be a plus, since an empty home is a
target for burglars. (In fact, some
insurance policies are nullified if
the house is left empty for more than
10 days.) Let your auto insurer know
the names and driver’s license
numbers of those who’ll be operating
your car. Car exchangers
might want to consider increasing
their automobile coverage during the
exchange period by lowering the
deductible and raising the third-party
liability.
Ask
a friend, neighbor or family member to
welcome your guests and answer
questions.
Make
sure all appliances are in good
working order.
Lock
away any valuables and important
papers, preferably away from your
home.
Compile
a guide to your home and surroundings,
including recommended local
restaurants and attractions, nearby
public tennis courts, swimming pools,
golf courses, pool and garden
maintenance, when trash goes out,
phone numbers of doctors, dentists,
plumbers, electricians, babysitters,
the nearest hospital.
Avoid
misunderstandings by having a written
agreement about exchange dates, the
number of people involved, use of the
car, and who pays what in terms of
utility and long-distance bills, etc.
Leave
the makings of a simple meal and a
small welcome gift–for example, a
bottle of wine or a guidebook on your
area.
Gifts are a nice
touch but aren't a necessary part of a
home exchange.
Have fun
planning your trip. |
