Sunday Times: 'Home exchange is more than just free holiday accomodation'

'House-swapping was once considered something of an oddity, along with cycling to work and composting vegetable waste. Suddenly, it is fashionable.'

'Home exchange is more than just free holiday accomodation' is an excellent article by a 'serial home swapper', published in the Sunday Times last Sunday, and covers many questions asked about home exchange.

This is a good article for even very experienced home exchangers to read, and pass on to friends who may be interested in the home swapping concept. The author deals with what can be seen as a downside, i.e. having to tidy and clean your home thoroughly before an exchange (some Home Base Holidays members report starting to tackle the housework too late and then spending a frantic few days just before the exchange dates, leaving them exhausted - and in need of a holiday!).

The author confesses to having an 'easy-going approach to home maintenance. Call me a DDIYer — as in "don’t".' However, the family's home swapping experiences have not only given them great holidays but also improved their own lifestyle, even to tackling major home improvements:

'A desire to maximise our home’s exchange potential even influenced our decision to convert the loft this summer: extra bed space means a wider range of families with whom to swap.'

If you are an experienced exchanger, have you also changed your attitude to housework and DIY? Are you now more organised and tidy?  Or do you still have a mad housework 'bee' just before an exchange? Do leave your comments below.

Comments

[hobiej]

I'm now looking a bit shifty- just heading off to wax the kitchen floor!!

[Lois]

Wax the kitchen floor?? Do people still do that (on your hands and knees I hope so you don't miss a bit!). Has this fastidiousness happened since you started swapping homes?

[hobiej]

Yes, yes and yes to the above questions (I finished it last night). Our floor is terracotta and when we got it I was told to wax 1-2 times per year. It works but next time I would get quarry tiles- similar look but cheaper and less trouble.

I sorted the linen cupboard too. Household tips (not originating from me)- to make dealing with various sheet and duvet sizes easier- sort out a full set ie sheet/pillowcases/duvet cover etc and then use one of the pillow cases to encase everything. No more confusion!

I tend to spend about 2 months sorting out the house on and off- decluttering, touching up paintwork, doing little DIY jobs and improving the garden. I have a very full time job and two small kids so I like to leave enough time to get around to things. Unfortunately not much gets done the rest of the year!

[review]

Nice blog... I became very delicate when it come to my house so all the stuffs you mentioned here we still do that..