Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

Planning Home Swaps Over a Year Ahead of Exchange Dates: Addressing Potential Problems

We are always encouraging Home Base Holidays members to start planning for home swaps well in advance of the dates wanted for the best chances of finding suitable exchanges but, those really 'early birds', looking for exchanges for dates more than a year away, may face some initial disappointments. Many members contacted this early on will turn down such exchange offers simply because they haven't made any plans themselves for next year as yet and don't want to commit to an exchange so far ahead.

It could well be, however, that some members contacted early on would be interested in an exchange offer if approached nearer to the time. If you are an early bird yourself (and some people do have specific needs that necessitates organising exchanges very early), when sending your first exchange offer messages, acknowledge that you do understand if the member may not be able to make a definite committment just yet. Suggest, if this is their situation but they might be interested in your exchange offer later on, that you will contact them again in a few months' time if you haven't arranged an exchange. This should encourage more members to consider your offer rather than reject it outright.

The inspiration for a post on this topic was a new Home Base Holidays member's exchange offer in Victoria, BC, Canada. He wrote:

'We are primarily interested in the last three weeks of June 2007. We prefer to travel in the shoulder season when it is not as busy. We have an exchange arranged in Yorkshire, UK this August 2006. My wife has month-end accounting due the first week of every month so we are restricted to the last three weeks of any month. We travel on points and need to book one year in advance so we like to plan early.

We have a very comfortable home in a quiet neighbourhood close to the ocean, parks and shopping. Our back yard looks out on a park like setting. A short walk of 10 - 15 minutes will take you to the ocean and world class restaurant. Our home is in the municipality of Oak Bay which is just east of downtown Victoria. We are a two hour ferry ride to Vancouver, BC; from there it is a three hour drive to Seattle, WA, USA.' See the full exchange offer and more photos, HE18046

Looking for Suitable Homes Available for Exchange to Accommodate a Large Family

Q: I would like to join Home Base Holidays but first it would be great to make sure large families can be accommodated. Thanking you - Karina, Australia

A: To quickly check for homes that could be suitable for your large family use Advanced Search. One of the search options is by 'Homes Which Accommodate'. Choose the number you need (from 1 to 12 on the drop down list) and click Search. The search results will show all homes that can accommodate at least up to the number of people you chose. You can, of course, narrow your search results further by choosing a country, and any other criteria, before doing a search.

Home Exchangers Who Smoke: Approaching Those Who Specify Swaps with Non-smokers Only

The majority of Home Base Holidays members indicate in their listings that they want to swap homes with 'non-smokers only' (a tick box option on the membership form). As the number of smokers in many countries decreases, this can appear to greatly limit the number of homes available for exchange to smokers who may, indeed, feel a little like pariahs amongst the large number of non-smokers!

Some members will indicate within their descriptions that smokers who agree to only smoke outside, on a patio or in the garden, will be welcome. This should encourage considerate smokers to approach such members with exchange offers. Smokers should also be up front about their habit and include this information in their own exchange listings, along with a promise to respect an exchange partner's request to not smoke inside their home. Most home swappers who tick the 'non-smokers only' box are concerned about keeping their homes free of the lingering smell of stale smoke (or, worse, cigarette burns on furniture). Many non-smokers will consider exchanges with smokers who show that they will respect their wishes while staying in their home. A couple of recent examples of considerate smoking home exchange members:

in Tampa, Florida, USA: 'Andy is a smoker, but would not smoke in your home. We are very respectful of other people's wishes and homes.'

Description: 1950s ranch home with hardwood floors, french doors to a screened in swimming pool, lots of light. Safe, desirable South Tampa neighborhood. Walk to Bayshore, Tampa's promenade along the bay. See full home exchange offer and more photos, HE17694

in Maldon, Victoria, Australia: 'Mick is a considerate smoker - he has never smoked in our home and most certainly wouldn't in yours.'

Description: Late Victorian era weatherboard house built by a miner on 2/3 acre. We've tried to give our home a feel of the old days with modern conveniences. Furniture is in keeping with era where possible, although not formal antiques. Small gold mining town, gorgeous well preserved main street. Excellent position for exploring Victoria - day trips, wildlife, history, beaches, towns/cities. 1 1/2hrs Melbourne. See full home exchange offer (very recent listing - photos not yet added), HE18003

Help for World Travelers! Useful Information Website

I spotted a link somewhere to International Dialing Codes on Steve Kropla's Help for World Travelers! This could be very useful information for Home Base Holidays members who often like to combine making most home exchange arrangements by email with at least a couple of phone calls. Do check out the other information on this site, including an excellent Travel Resources page.

Flights Booked Already? Arranging a Home Swap Around Fixed Dates

It is always a good plan to start looking for home exchange possibilities several weeks (several months even better) before the dates you want to exchange. It also increases your chances of finding a suitable swap if you can be at least a little flexible on dates, length of exchange and exact destination. However, there can be times when, perhaps, a limited special air fares offer comes up that's just too good to miss. In these situations, especially when travelling long-haul with a couple of children, the savings on air fares has to be balanced against restricting your options in having to find an exchange that fits around fixed dates and length of stay.

Meg, a recent Home Base Holidays member from Santa Barbara, is in exactly this situation with tickets already booked for London for August 3rd to the 24th. Meg and her husband are coming to London to visit his relatives in England and, as she writes, 'familiarize our sons with the turf over there.' Their boys are two and six years old.

Southern California is a popular destination with UK home swappers, and there are a large number of home exchange offers in London. It also is really helpful that Meg's dates fit in with the school summer holidays in England so, hopefully, the family will soon arrange an exchange that fits around their August fixed dates.

Meg's home exchange offer:

'Our home is a California cottage located on a quiet street. Downtown shops, restaurants, art museum, public library, public parks, and coffee houses are a 5 minute drive or 30 minute walk. Beautiful sandy beaches are a 5 minute drive away.

Santa Barbara has long been a popular tourist destination due to its inviting climate and Spanish style architecture. It is also conveniently located within 90 minutes of many Los Angeles area attractions.' See the full exchange listing and more photos, HE17729

Commonwealth Games 2006: Home Exchange Offers in Melbourne, Australia

On Wednesday I watched most of the opening ceremony on TV of the 2006 Commonwealth Games being held in Melbourne 15 - 26 March. It was spectacular, especially the fireworks over the city and the parade of the 71 Commonwealth countries taking part in this, the 'friendly', sports competition. The 2000 Olympics in Sydney boosted tourism to that great Australian city and, no doubt, the 2006 Commonwealth Games will do the same for Melbourne.

It's too late to swap homes in Melbourne for the Games (it could well be that some Home Base Holidays members are there on home exchanges), but there are lots of opportunities for home swaps to the city or nearby later on. Here are just a few examples of homes available in Melbourne:

Newly renovated home in a lovely bayside area of Melbourne. Close to small groups of shops and lovely cafe style restaurants within walking distance. The largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere is five minutes drive away. We have beaches in two directions from our home and a marine sanctuary 700 metres walk. See full exchange offer and photos, HE17020

Home located in one of Melbourne's most sought after areas, only a kilometer from the beach with Albert Park Lake, The Sports and Acquatic Centre (host of Commonwealth Games in 2006) and F1 track across the road. Regardless of all this action our street is quiet and full of wonderful neighbours all too willing to make your stay all the more enjoyable. See full exchange offer and photos, HE17370

A beautifully renovated three bedroom Victorian home in the leafy area of Hawthorn, less than three miles from the heart of Melbourne and close to the beautiful Yarra River. Melbourne has repeatedly been voted one of the top three most liveable cities in the world, with wonderful restaurants, galleries, fashion, arts festivals and sporting events. See full exchange offer and photos, HE15896

A charming art deco apartment, right in the heart of the city. Located opposite the town hall in the Capitol Theatre building, designed by Walter Burley-Griffin in 1924. It is a small apartment (44 sq mtrs) on the second floor but has a balcony and lots of light, and looks out at tree tops and the old town hall building. See full exchange offer and photos, HE17609