Experienced home exchangers know that helping guests enjoy their stay in their home isn’t difficult, but it does take some extra attention. Here are 4 tips to ensure that your guests are happy and have a wonderful home swap holiday. Search home swap holiday offers
Tip 1. Make sure your home swap listing is accurate
An inaccurate or misleading listing description is one quick way to leave your home swap guests feeling unhappy with their stay in your home. Make sure that your listing has accurate detailed information about your home and location. Of course, you'll want to highlight the best bits of your home and area, but make sure you also be honest about anything that could be a potential issue (e.g Have a 5 floor walk up apartment? Make sure potential guests know if there is no lift. Have pets? Let your potential guests know as this could be a big no no for allergy sufferers).
Good communications when in the planning stage helps ensure that both you and your guests enjoy a wonderful stay in each others' homes.
Tip 2. Good communication (stay in regular contact)
As mentioned, good communication is key to successful home exchanging. Make sure to discuss and agree all details before agreeing to an exchange. Spending time getting to know your home exchange partners helps to build trust and avoid any misunderstandings. Make sure to answer any questions promptly. If you'll be out of contact for a while, let your exchange partners that you'll be away and let them know when you'll be back in contact.
Provide serveral ways that you can be contacted (e.g. through the website, via email, WhatsApp and phone numbers). It can also be a nice touch and reasuring to schedule a phone or video call with your home exchange partners prior to agreeing the swap.
Tip 3. Provide the basics (toilet paper, basic food, bedding, towels)
You don't want to arrive at your home swap accommodation to find that there is no loo roll! Your guests won't expect you to fully stock your cupboards but make sure that you leave basic supplies for their arrival. Provide plenty of clean towels and bedding but also provide your guests with toilet roll, kitchen towels, cleaning supplies, pots, pans, kitchenware, and so on. Many hosts also provide basic food items for their guests arrival e.g. bread, butter, milk, olive oil, cereal, salt & pepper... even a bottle of wine!
It’s not difficult or expensive to provide the basics for your guests. Think about what you would need if you were staying in a home like yours for a few days or a few weeks.
Tip 4. Information about your home & area (create a 'Welcome Pack')
Put together a Welcome Pack for your guests with clear, detailed instructions: how to turn on the heating or air conditioner, where to put the rubbish & recycling. Not only will that help your guests enjoy their stay, you’ll be less likely to be bothered by messages and phone calls when they can’t figure something out.
One of the most rewarding things about home swapping is that you get to 'live like a local' as you explore your host's area. You'll often find lovely off the tourist trail discoveries such as independent shops and cafes, places to buy food, local restaurants, churches and historic sights, etc. Help your guests discover some of your favourite local attractions by including this information in your Welcome Pack. Think about what your guests might need or like to know about your neighbourhood, things they might not find in their tourist guides. You might include maps and restaurant menus; directions to food stores and markets; where to buy bus and train tickets; locations of parks, gyms, beauty salons, and pharmacies; suggestions for good places to walk; and brochures for interesting places and sights known only to locals.
It's also always good to leave your guests contact details in case of emergencies. In addition to your own contact details, include phone numbers of an emergency plumber and electrician. Include the phone numbers of your local doctor, dentist and emergency response call out numbers (i.e. 999 in the UK and 911 in the US & Canada). If you're also able to leave the contact number of a local friend, neighbour or relative, this can also add to the reasurance.
Check out our blog post: Prepare a Welcome Pack for your home swap guests |
Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping Looking for a budget friendly break? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home exchange vacation offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays. |