Tips from homelink.ie
Here are some things to keep in mind when starting out on the house-swapping road:
Consider which countries you wish to visit and be proactive by making contact with as many members as possible in the country that interests you. This may mean sending out at least 10 offers each day. It may sound a lot but from experience this is the minimum required. The site always advises members not to sit back and wait for others to contact them;
When making contact with other exchangers, it is best if you can avoid confining yourself to a particular area of a country. Widen the search and that will make finding a suitable exchange a lot easier. For example, look at places within 10-20km driving distance of the desired destination;
In general, members are advised to include on their listing, several countries of interest to them and keep an open mind to offers they may receive from countries other than those on their list;
Upload lots of good-quality photos of the inside and outside of the home and ensure each room looks its best. Include photos of the area, especially local attractions;
When contacting other members, it is important to supply plenty of details about the family, their home and the surrounding area;
If members have a holiday home, this is a real bonus as exchangers can use it at a time that suits them and therefore they can engage in a non-simultaneous exchange;
Check with your car insurance company well before offering to exchange cars. Insurance companies need to know who will be driving the member’s car and for what period. Most companies are happy to add the exchanger to the policy for a small handling fee. Some may not charge anything;
When you find a suitable exchange, fill in the Exchange Agreement form before booking any flights. Leave nothing to chance. Agree everything in advance including things such as leaving a meal for each other, ensuring the cars are left full of fuel at either end of the exchange etc;
Leave a clean and tidy home for the exchange partner and the makings of a welcome meal along with some wine and beers. Leave a spare set of keys with a neighbour in case of emergency;
If either party accidentally breaks an item in the other’s home, agree beforehand that it will either be replaced immediately or enough cash will be left to cover the damaged article.