Housing exchanges are popular for those who want to travel and stay in a private home. It’s free and flexible, but based on mutual trust. Hospitality exchanges offer a more social experience. Websites can facilitate the exchange for an annual fee, but free sites like Craigslist are an alternative. Be descriptive in your listing and sign a written agreement. Leave specific instructions and a small welcome gift.
Accommodation exchanges are becoming very popular for people who want to travel but want the comfort and convenience of staying in a private home. Since a housing exchange is usually free, the price is also a huge plus. In this type of exchange, a person swaps his or her home with another person in an area that she wishes to travel to. Housing swapping isn’t limited to homes—condos and apartments are swapped as well, as are yachts and recreational vehicles (RVs). Anyone can participate in a housing exchange, but it is often used by professors on sabbatical or summer breaks, retirees, professionals and entrepreneurs.
In addition to housing exchange, or exchange, there are also hospitality exchanges where people host guests in their home, then later be hosted in their guests’ homes. This is a much more social arrangement that offers the opportunity to have an integrated tour guide if you’re lucky. Some people include their cars in the housing swap to sweeten the deal. For those interested in organizing a housing exchange, there are websites that can facilitate the exchange for an annual fee. Free sites like Craigslist are an inexpensive alternative to home swap sites, where you can list your home and hopefully find a match yourself.
The benefits of a housing exchange are obvious to many. It’s free, allows for a better cultural experience, and is more flexible and private. Some prefer to stay in a private home rather than a hotel because it’s more comfortable and homely, and you can rest easy knowing that someone is taking care of your home while you’re away. A successful home swap can result in a lifelong friendship with the owners of the swapped home, possibly paving the way for future opportunities.
Because you are putting your home at risk, there are some drawbacks to housing swapping. Exchange is based on mutual trust between strangers, sometimes thousands of miles apart. It’s hard to guarantee that the home you’re interested in will be described accurately and that the person will take care of your home while you’re away.
In your listing for a housing swap, be very descriptive about your home and neighborhood. Be sure to include the dates you are interested in exchanging. Include information about transportation options, an inventory of the home, whether you allow smoking and whether there is wheelchair access, as well as photos of the home. Be sure to outline any responsibilities guests might have, such as pets, household bills, emergency repairs, and insurance. Always write and sign a written agreement outlining all expectations.
When you leave the house, be sure to leave specific instructions about the house and your expectations. Contact the post office to hold your mail and hold or keep any valuables. Make sure all linens and towels are clean and the house is tidy. Do any garden or exterior maintenance and pay last minute bills. It’s nice to leave a small welcome gift with information about the area and activities.
When you leave the guest house, make sure you leave it in the same or better condition as when you arrived. Clean and wash the laundry. It’s also nice to leave a note with information about anything that may have happened during your stay, along with a small thank-you gift.
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