Things to keep in mind when swapping
Home Swap Vacations Swapping Checklist
The following are considerations you should keep in mind to make your home swap experience as enjoyable and easy as possible.
The golden rule in Home Swapping - Treat others property as you would have them treat yours.
- Give yourself plenty of time to organize
- Actively look for listings that interest you
- Ask lots of questions
- Be clear with what you want from the swap
- Be as flexible as you can
- Confirm details and contracts (if necessary)
- Make arrangements for any pets
- Exchange/ Check insurance coverage and details
- Clean your home and surrounding areas
- Arrange for a warm and inviting welcome
- Clear and concise instructions
Give yourself plenty of time to organize
Be sure to allow enough time for you and your family to find and organize something that will suit your needs. Do not expect to list your home and the following day, find your prefect swap in your ideal vacation destination. Realistically, it takes some time to find a property, work out dates that suit both parties and discuss the details that will accommodate everyone. With that being said, an experienced member who knows what they want and is organized may be able to arrange a swap within only a few days. Please do not rush, take your time and find something that will work for you.
Actively look for listings that interest you
Only you know exactly what you and your family are after in a home swap. Do not sit back and wait for your perfect vacation swap to find you, actively searching listings will greatly increase your chances of finding a swap. We have new members joining daily from top destination spots all over the world.
Ask lots of questions
Once you find a listing that interests you, sit down and create a page of questions to ask your potential swap partner. It is important to gather as much information as possible so both parties can decide if a swap would suit their needs and lifestyle.
You may want to ask questions like " would you be willing to swap with a smoker? Is a car also included in this swap? What size are the beds? Do you live near a highway or train tracks? Are you allergic to cats or dogs? Do you have wireless internet available? "
Be clear with what you want from the swap
It is important to let your potential swap partner know what you are looking for in this swap. Mention the types of things you would like to do while you are there, what you would like to be able to access in their home and why you are interested in visiting this particular destination. This information can also help the other member determine if their property will suit your needs.
Be as flexible as you can
Realistically, finding a swap that suits all of your needs, is in the ideal place and is available to travel your specific dates is not going to happen right away. Try to be flexible and work with what's available during your ideal time and alternate dates. You may find a member that is within 15 minutes of your ideal location and is available your specific dates. Flexibility will help speed up the home swapping process.
If simultaneous swaps don't seem to be working out for you, you could try to arrange a non-simultaneous swap. For example, you are going to visit your family or friends for a week and your place will be vacant during that time. Those dates may work better for your potential swap partner and they may possibly have a similar week on their end to do the same. Asking friends or family to housesit for them while they travel will also open up dates to swap your own home.
Confirm details and contracts (if necessary)
Put in writing what each party is agreeing to and their expectations. Be sure to clarify the use of vehicles (e.g. they can use the ford, but not the Tahoe) electronics, internet and how the utility bills will be paid.
Home Swap Vacations provides sample home and car swap agreements that can be filled in to suit your needs (these are not legal documents and should be used as outlines only).
Download Home Swap Agreement
Download Car Swap Agreement
Make arrangements for any pets
When arranging a swap you need to remember that while you are going away for a break, your swap partners are also looking to take a break. Having your swap partner care for your pet may put some restrictions on what and when they are able to do things. Feeding, walking and bathing your pet may be more than some people are looking for on their vacation.
If mutual pet care has not been decided upon, it is best to have a family member, friend or kennel care for you pet while you are away.
Exchange/ Check insurance coverage and details
Each insurance company is a little different, check with your own home and car insurance about your coverage while others are staying in your home or using your vehicle. They are usually considered guests as far as general coverage goes, but don't leave it up to chance.
If you and your swap partners are agreeing to exchange vehicles, consider sending a copy of your driver's license and insurance to your partner before you arrive. You may be able to work something out with having your partner adding you to their insurance for the period of your stay if your own insurance does not cover accidents. Be sure to clarify in case of an accident what the deductible is and who will be paying it. It doesn't hurt to cover all of your bases.
Clean your home and surrounding areas
It is common practice that when you are participating in a home swap you have your home looking and feeling inviting and clean. Nobody wants to start their vacation on an uncomfortable note.
If you expect things to look a certain way when you return, then you need to make sure you have it looking that way when you leave. Let your swap partners know what you expect to come home to, just don't expect them to clean more than when they arrived.
Some swappers prefer to have a cleaning service come in and clean their own home before they leave. They may also organize for one after their stay in the swap partner's home.
A warm and inviting welcome
Have you ever arrived at a hotel or a family's house where they have got something especially for you? If you have, it really does make you feel welcome and special. When participating in a home swap, try to leave something small for your swap partners to enjoy when they first arrive (e.g. bottle of wine and some chocolates or some nice tea and coffee etc)
Clear and concise instructions
Although you may have mentioned certain things in previous correspondence, it's nice if you write it all down on one sheet. Not only will it remind your swap partner where the local stores are, it will also let them know where to find items around your home. Be sure to leave details on how to work any electronic equipment (tv, cable, dvd player, wii etc) as well as emergency contact numbers for yourself and another local point of contact.
Once you have these written out, be sure to save them for future swaps.