The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on posts published over the past 12 months. We aim to publish a variety of short posts of interest to both experienced home swappers and those new to the idea of home swapping who often have a number of questions before pursuing their first home exchanges.
Looking over the posts that have had most views in 2018, there are three themes that predominate – ‘how to’ posts are the most popular, followed by members’ home experience stories and thirdly, particular slants on home swapping by our guest posters.
We love to publish both Home Base Holidays members’ contributions (three extra free months are added to membership periods so it’s well worth sending in your short articles on any aspects of your home exchange experiences you feel will be of interest to others) and relevant posts by other travel bloggers (send us your ideas for guest posts and, if published, you will receive publicity for your own blog or travel site and a free six month membership to Home Base Holidays).
The 15 most popular home swap blog posts in 2018:
1. From an ale house to a youth hostel: unusual homes offered for home swaps
Ale House: Maldon, Essex, England - A quaint & charming 17th century timber framed holiday cottage, situated in the heart of the Essex village of Goldhanger. The property was originally an Ale House in the village well known for smuggling. The renovation has retained many original historic features. View this blog post
2. How to maximise your success at home swapping
Guest post by Marguerite Payen, an experienced home exchanger from Harrogate, Yorkshire
"Firstly, when I received a message from another home exchanger, I decided to copy their style in my messaging... I quickly realised that, nine times out of ten, the best style was chatty and relaxed but always clear regarding dates and what is 'on offer' etc. There was no need of formality, no reason to be shy about asking questions, or, stating in a friendly way, any concerns that I had." View this blog post
3. Five tips: to make your home swap photos stand out
Light, light, and more light! There’s not much worse than dingy dreary photos. So, choose a time of day when the light shines into your home. Be sure to open up any blinds or shades and, if needed, turn on any additional lighting sources to show your space at it best. View this blog post
4. Preparing your home for a home swap holiday
Clean and de-clutter. Prior to your home swap, make sure you give your home a good clean so that its ready and welcoming for your guests. Clear space in your fridge and also make room in your wardrobe so that there is space for your guests to hang their clothes. Leave plenty of clean towels and extra bedding. View this blog post
5. Checklist: preparing for a home swap vacation
Welcome pack: make a welcome pack for your home swap guests: include information about local attractions and recommended restaurants, nearby transport, useful information about your home (e.g. how to turn on/off the alarm), useful phone numbers (e.g. taxi firms) and emergency contact details (e.g. a friend/neighbours number, an emergency plumber, etc). View this blog post
6. Q&A: Arranging a long term home swap?
When arranging a long term home swap, you need to give yourself plenty of time to find a suitable match and then discuss with them all details of the exchange so that you're both happy with the arrangements. As you'll be staying in each other’s homes for a lengthy period, you'll need to agree on how to pay for utility bills during your stay. View this blog post
7. Tips for Helpful Conversations with Your Home Exchange Partners
Guest post by Janis Fisher Chan, a writer, editor, and passionate traveller who recently launched Travel on the House to provide would-be home exchangers and short-term rental hosts with information, tips, and advice.
"After reading the home exchange listing and the other people’s profile carefully, think about what questions you’d like to ask and what you want to be sure the other people know about your home. A few written notes will help make sure you cover everything that’s important to you." View this blog post
8. How can I be sure homes offered for home exchange are as nice as described?
It can give reassurance to a first-time home swapper to look for members who have had previous exchanges to ask them (if they are interested in your offer) to put you in touch with members they have swapped with; you will then be able to ask these members any questions you have about the home and area. View this blog post
9. 100+ home swaps over 40 years - is this a record?
‘We love exchanging and do our utmost to make people feel at home here, whilst taking the best possible care of the homes we stay in. We provide guide books, maps, tourist leaflets, a ‘home book’, bicycles and much more, to enable our guests to make the most of their stay.’ View this blog post
10. Home swapping: an example of the real sharing economy
Guest post by William Azaroff, a modern co-operator, recovering filmmaker, happy Vancouverite and all-around digital fella. Check out William's excellent blog
"Home-swapping makes me think of my early enthusiasm for the Sharing Economy. I still love the idea of sharing the idle capacity of things you own with other people, and owning things collectively through a co-op-like structure. This form of sharing creates reciprocal relationships and community, and reduces the need for so much stuff to be produced and consumed." View this blog post
11. Agreed a home swap? Inlet Host Insurance
Host Insurance: Home Base Holidays is working together with Inlet, who have developed a top up insurance product to extend your home or buildings insurance when you are Home Swapping. View this blog post
12. Win a Kindle Paperwhite, travel photo competition
Choose photos that best encapsulate your travel experience; perhaps an off-the-tourist-trail discovery, or, if taken on a home swap, you or your family enjoying your hosts’ home or one of the highlights of the area. View this blog post
13. Can you Home Exchange With Kids?
Guest post by Jess and Tommy Goodwin. Check out Go With The Goodwins blog.
"When planning a vacation, you’re probably going to research the hotel or resort where you’ll be staying, maybe even extensively. You’ll do the same thing with homes when looking for a home exchange. In my opinion, if you’re traveling with kids, a home exchange is way better than any hotel or rental." View this blog post
14. Train to Spain: home swap adventures, from 'bocadillos' to 'bikini'!
Guest post by Judith Stafford, a long-time Home Base Holidays member.
"We were feeling bravas - patatas bravas - so we accepted a home swap offer for our French house and scrambled up onto an enormous train at Narbonne, then cruised our way to Spain. Grabbing baguettes and mini rosés from the station café, we were all set for a picnic while passing étangs, flamingoes, frothing surf and terracotta baked villages." View this blog post
15. Q&A: looking after pets during a home swap vacation
Many members are very happy to look after pets during their home exchange. When you join Home Base Holidays you will see tick box options for “Pet care required”, “Pet care offered” and “Pets welcome”. It really can be an excellent option for many pet owning members as it saves on pet care costs and it’s nice to know that your pets are being looked after at home. View this blog post
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Swap homes: free vacation accommodation in 2019
January is a perfect time to start looking for your spring or summer home swap, allowing plenty of time to find a good match and get to know your home swap partners. Browse thousands of home exchange vacation offers
Sign up for free: add your home to Home Base Holidays so that you can start contacting other members to arrange your home exchange. Join Home Base Holidays
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