Wednesday

New to Home Exchange?

You may of only recently discovered the concept of home exchange. If this is the case, there's lots of information out there to get you started. Communication is the biggest part of home exchanging. Details, details and more details. You need to be clear on what you're offering and what you're looking. Here are a few suggestions;

What You are Offering

How many people your home can accommodate.

If you live in a smaller town, list the largest city you are closest to.

Do you prefer non-smokers, no pets, no children?

Will you provide your vehicle to your home swappers? If not, what types of transportation are available in your area.

List some nice places to visit while in your city. i.e. restaurants, museums, clubs, cafe's, shopping malls, art galleries, etc.

Post photos of your home's interior and exterior.

Do you have a pet that you would like your home swappers to feed, let out, etc.?

What You are Seeking

Do you have only one desired location or are you open to traveling anywhere? If so, list a few places you'd been interested in.

How many people will you need accommodations for and for how long? Do you have small children and will you be bringing the family pet?

If your home swappers prefer not to trade vehicles, ask them what modes of transportation are available nearby. Bus, taxi, subway, etc.

If your swappers have home exchanged before, you can ask for some references. Some light housekeeping is definitely a must. What you don't want to do is leave the place trashed for when they get home! Another idea is to leave a little "house map" for your guests, where everything can be found. List some phone numbers for taxi, emergency, pizza delivery, etc. and leave a map of the city for them.

You'll definitely want to see photos of their home and speak on the phone before committing to anything.

Don't be intimidated by exchanging your apartment or smaller home for a large home by the beach for example. Your home swappers may not care as long as it's comfortable, neat and close to their desired location. Some people aren't necessarily "vacationing", they may be visiting family who do not have enough room in their home for guests. It could be a business convention, a wedding, etc.

If you'd like to read up on it some more, here are couple of suggestions.

www.knowyourtrade.com/gettingstarted.htm

www.u-exchange.com/home-exchange-vacation

Good Luck!

Barb Di Renzo
http://www.u-exchange.com/

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