Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

Reasons to Plan a Home Exchange Well in Advance

'home exchangers are a fraternity which involves trust'

Cathy, very experienced home exchanger from Auckland (and also the Home Base Holidays representative in New Zealand), offers sound advice:

 “We have been getting offers of exchange only a couple of months out from the planned exchange.  I penned the following in response to the latest one which is only one month out i.e. I received it on the weekend and they already have their flights etc and want to exchange in December…  

"Thank you for your contact regarding exchange in December.  Unfortunately the timing does not suit us.   

For your information we, along with most exchangers (particularly for long haul exchanges), arrange an exchange 6 – 12 months in advance, in fact we have had a couple where we have confirmed 18 months in advance.  The reason behind this is;  

• For long haul travel it gives us time to book flights well in advance to get the best price
  
• gives us time to get to know the people we are exchanging with via email
  
• we never book our flights until we have a confirmed exchange
  
• takes away the urgency of finding an exchange in a short period of time and/or you are wanting to exchange in 2 or 3 towns/countries  
  

We are experienced exchangers having exchanged all over the world and they have been marvelous experiences and also we have made lifelong friends with our exchangers.  As one of our exchangers succinctly puts it – ‘home exchangers are a fraternity which involves trust…’   This trust needs time to develop - when one is having strangers come and live in one’s home, with everything that goes to make a home, whilst one is not there you are placing a lot of faith and trust in those people.  It is quite different from a holiday home/apartment when they don’t normally have the treasures that go to make a home.” 

See Cathy’s full home exchange offer in Mission Bay, Auckland, HE12437. Note: Cathy’s home will be available during, and conveniently located for, the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Don’t leave it too long to contact her with your exchange offer if you want to exchange homes at this time!

 

 

Keep Accommodation Costs in Europe Down – with a Home Exchange

In a recent post on Arthur Frommer’s blog, ‘The U.S. Dollar Has Dropped Sharply in Value Against European Currencies, So Seek Cheaper Lodgings’, he suggested looking at alternatives to hotels to keep accommodation costs down:

‘..... seriously consider the use of alternative, cheaper lodgings for your next trip to Europe. You should think about lengthening your stay in each European city to a week so that you can rent an apartment at a considerable savings. Even more effectively, you should consider the use of hostel accommodations....’

There are other alternatives to hotels including camping, couch surfing and, for those who prefer the comforts of home, home exchange of course!

 

Although the primary reason for some who choose to swap homes may be for cost savings, there are many more advantages, some of which can also save money. For example, your kitchen in a ‘real’ home is likely to be much better equipped than in a holiday property and so you more apt to prepare more meals at home (shopping for food in local shops and markets is a lot more fun than routine grocery shopping at home). It’s easy to have a substantial breakfast at home before setting out for the day, perhaps also preparing a picnic lunch to save on buying snacks that are usually expensive, and not always very healthy, at popular tourist attractions.

 

Families with young children often like to swap homes with other families with similar aged children, giving reassurance that the homes will be child friendly and there will be baby equipment, toys, books and games available to save packing so much; and not forgetting the likelihood of local playmates and a trusted babysitter as well as friends and neighbours to answer questions and help you make the most of your holiday.

Hate Flying? Arrange a Home Exchange Closer to Home

When Home Base Holidays  started in 1985, most of our UK members especially used home exchange as a means of having a  holiday abroad. Although international swaps are certainly still very popular (a great way to reduce costs when the pound sterling is so low against many major currencies), there has been a definite trend this year for swaps, both for weekends and longer holidays, closer to home. Domestic home swaps do have advantages, especially if no flights are involved, and are generally easier to arrange.

 

We may be seeing a growing trend for more local exchanges in the last few months mainly for economic reasons. However, some members are also likely to be reducing air travel not only to save money but also as a part of a conscious effort to cut down on energy consumption generally.

 

Older readers will remember when air travel was considered glamorous. Now, for most travellers, being squashed in a small seat for many hours seems more like being in a cattle truck than anything remotely glamorous! The following quotes are samples of how some Home Base Holidays members are limiting their exchange offer destinations:

 

Orna – ‘I hate flying. Short or even long breaks which only involve my throwing a suitcase into the car and going off, would be absolutely great’.

 

Orna’s flat in London is in a particularly attractive central location so it’s not surprising that she has received large numbers of exchange offers from other countries over her many years of membership. I suggested that she give her reasons (as above + her age) for no longer feeling able to take up such offers however attractive. This will limit the offers she receives to areas in the UK that will more likely be of interest to her, and deter members from other countries from contacting her and being disappointed. See Orna’s full exchange offer, HE18785.

 

And, a quote from the Richards’ family who offer their home in the little town of Dursley, Gloucestershire for exchange -

‘We are hoping to make exchanges for weekends and school holidays, mainly within the UK, or western Europe. Wales, West Country or London for short breaks, but in school holidays for up to two weeks anywhere we can get to without flying.’

 

Those swapping homes with the Richards’ will enjoy a break in the Cotswolds (in photo). See their full exchange offer, HE20210.

 

Home Exchange During Major Sporting Events Worldwide

Technology has made business global and sports are no different. Major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, and Rugby World Cup, four of the 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live, attract fans in attendance from all over the world. Everyone wants to see their country contend for an international title and also see the best athletes in the world compete.

 

Some locals, however, are not thrilled with the global exposure of their cities and towns when hosting an international sports event. Instead of renting their homes, local residents now consider home exchanges. In 2010, the Canadian city of Vancouver and other areas in British Columbia will be overtaken by avid Winter Olympic fans. Accommodations will be hard to come by. A home exchange is the perfect way to get right into the snow sports action without inflated hotel and apartment rental costs.

 

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup being held in South Africa and the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, fans have the chance to not only attend an international sports match, but also get to the chance to visit and explore a new, beautiful country. Just imagine the remarkable experience a die-hard rugby fan from the U.S. would have taking part in a home exchange in New Zealand or a British soccer fan enjoying World Cup soccer and the South African coast. A home exchange is a great way to get to any of the 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live.

 

Guest Post by Robert Tuchman, author of The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live. Robert  writes the series “The Show Must Go On” for ESPN.com, a monthly column for Entrepreneur.com called “Young, Fearless, and Fed Up as well as a column called “On-Site” for Incentive Magazine.

 

Sample Home Exchange Offers Near Sporting Events:

 

Canada – Winter Olympics 2010

White Rock/Surrey, British Columbia, Canada - Bright modern 1100sf.condo, 2nd floor. 40 minutes from many 2010 Winter Olympics venues. Excellent public transit.

 

 

 

South Africa – 2010 Fifa World Cup

Franschoek, Western Cape, South Africa - Beautiful 4-bedroom house on the exclusive Pearl Valley Golf Estate. The estate has all the amenities of a world class golf estate (club house, restaurant, pool, spa and an equestrian centre. Situated in the heart of the wine growing region yet a mere 40 minutes drive (50km) from the centre of Cape Town. Excellent accommodation for 2010 Fifa World Cup.

 

 

New Zealand – 2011 Rugby World Cup

Auckland Mission Bay, Auckland, New Zealand - "Mission Bay: Auckland's best urban beach" (Pacific Wave Magazine). Mission Bay is a 10 minute scenic drive along the waterfront from centre of Auckland City of Sails.This two bedroom home will be available during the Rugby World Cup and convenient (close to Eden Park where the final will be played as well as close to Auckland inner city).

  

 

 

 

England – 2012 Olympics

London, England - Four double-bed, 3 bath Victorian terrace in West Hampstead, a busy, friendly neighbourhood close to town but only one mile from Hampstead Heath, the largest and highest open space in London. We are interested in swapping for the whole of the London Olympics in 2012!

  

 

 

 

A Novel Way to Increase Location Choices for Home Exchange Guests

Some Home Base Holidays members can offer non-simultaneous exchanges or offer exchange guests use of either a main home or holiday home in another location. Others, without such options, can still widen their exchange offer appeal by being as flexible as possible on dates and destinations.

 

A member from Lyme Regis, England, has found a way to help friends in Australia (also Home Base Holidays members) find an exchange in London by offering one of her own holiday apartments as another option to the Australians’ Gold Coast home. In this way, Londoners who aren’t able to consider a long haul trip to Australia, will still be able to consider the exchange offer, and enjoy a break closer to home in the lovely town of Lyme Regis in Dorset.

 

Here is a summary of the exchange request:

Special request from Australian members, (HE20951): We would like an exchange to London (or nearby, near good public transportation) for a large enough two bathroom home to accommodate five adults and one baby. Open dates.

And the  choice of homes available in exchange:

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - Spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom beachfront unit with 180 degree sea views from all rooms. Located on the southern end of the Gold Coast, famous for its good weather and white sandy beaches. See the full exchange offer and more photos, HE20951.

 

 

Lyme Regis, Dorset, England - This property is set on the famous Jurassic Coast, well known for its many fossils. We have a choice of a large ground, or a penthouse apartment (with wonderful coastal views). The property is situated very close to the harbour in Lyme Regis. There is a level walk to the shops, wine bars and many restaurants. The sandy or pebble beach are a few yards away; it is easy to join the coastal foot path which runs in front of us or walk out on the cobb where the French Lieutenants Woman was filmed. See the full exchange offer and more photos, HE17121.

If you live in London or nearby, feel your home would be suitable and are interested in exchanging with the Australian family, please log on, access their listing, HE20951, and let them know which home you are interested in. Not yet a member? Join Home Base Holidays today!

 

 

 

Blog Action Day 09 Climate Change: What Can a Home Exchanger Do?

This is the third year we have participated in Blog Action Day and this year’s cause, climate change, is such an urgent issue that no one or any government in the world can afford to ignore it one day longer. Climate change affects us all but the world’s poorest and most vulnerable are already suffering most.

 

This home exchange blog is all about travel and, in the light of the effects on climate from air travel in particular, it seems very wrong to encourage further travel. However, to be realistic, people who can afford to will continue to travel and it seems far better to promote a responsible attitude than to discourage travel altogether. After all, travel does have many benefits and, when undertaken sensitively (swapping to homes that would otherwise be empty rather than contributing to the destruction of natural resources to build more hotels in tourist ghettos) increases tolerance and understanding of other cultures.

 

It may be more a direct result of the downturn in the economy worldwide for many rather than a conscious decision to cut down on air travel (although I do believe home exchangers are particularly responsible people), but there has been a definite trend for more Home Base Holidays members to seek home swaps closer to home this year. Long haul destinations may not be quite so much in demand as a few years ago but many home exchangers do still want to travel to far off countries (some to visit family), only now more are planning longer exchanges rather than zipping halfway across the world for a week at a time several times a year. Not everyone can take the time off of course but, for retired members and the many now who can  combine work with a holiday wherever there is an Internet connection, this is a practical and sensible choice. With no accommodation costs (and often no car hire or pet care expenses), making the most of a lengthy exchange holiday makes sense both financially and for the environment.

 

In the run-up to an exchange, think of any improvements you can make to your home to cut down on energy use and general wastage. Do drafty windows or inadequate insulation make you crank up the heat in winter? If you are exchanging with someone from a warmer climate who may feel the cold more than you do, this is a particularly good time to do those jobs to make your home cosier without the need for the central heating to be up high.

 

When compiling an information folder for your exchange guests, include details of anything that will both keep your bills down and save energy and thus be climate friendly; a few examples:

• how to set the heating to come on for short periods twice a day when they plan to be out all day
• encourage the use of public transport whenever possible even if you agree to swap cars
• leave instructions on how to recycle as much as possible
• give details of markets that sell locally produced food
• offer to lend heavy outdoor clothing and boots to save your guests buying and bringing items they won’t otherwise need

This is a ‘starter’ list. Do you have suggestions for more ways home exchangers can still enjoy travel while minimising damage to our fragile climate? Do leave a comment below.

 

When last checked, 6000+ bloggers had signed up to Blog Action Day. All will be writing on climate change today, from many different perspectives. See ideas for taking action on climate change issues beyond  Blog Action Day.