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What to do after a home exchange is arranged

For your home exchange partners - 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.  If you have one, don't forget to leave the garage door remote. 

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.

Home exchange - you arranged a house swap, now what?  

Here are several 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.

Record the "small damage, cracks in window glass" in your own house before you leave so that your exchange partners won’t feel responsible for damage they haven’t caused. More than once we have had exchange partners phone us after the exchange was over apologizing for what they thought was their damage,  a cracked window pane and a scratch on the hardwood floor that was there before the exchange. 

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.  If you have one, don't forget to leave the garage door remote. 

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.

Arrange to leave your partner enough provisions to get them through the first few days. Things like toilet paper, facial tissue, a few food items, some tea or coffee, bread and juice are practical.

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