Send appealing home exchange offer messages

Once you have fine tuned your listing and added photos (see post published on 4th October below), browse listings and save to Favourites all of interest. Be sure to read each offer carefully so that you don't waste time contacting members who are unlikely to be interested in your offer or for whom your home would not suit their needs.

Now you are ready to compose your home exchange offer message. Writing a good standard offer message to copy and paste in each message box is fine but be sure to personalise all messages before sending. This is an introductory message so address the member by name. Keep your initial exchange offer message brief, repeating the short phrase from the beginning of your listing description that succinctly describes your home and location (the copy seen by the member before opening your full message). Refer to any special requirements the member has and why you feel your offer may suit them.

I recently suggested that a little flattery wouldn't go amiss to a member whose offer messages could do with some tweaking. He replied that he didn't want to exchange with anyone he had to flatter! Perhaps I didn't get across my meaning, i.e. you aren't flattering the people (you don't know them yet) but rather just letting them know why you are interested in their offer and that you hope they will want to exchange with you. 

Give the dates/length of exchange you are interested in for an exchange and whether you can be flexible to fit in with the members' plans.

Write in your own style and vary your offer messages to suit your needs. This is an example:

Hi Phyllis. Would an exchange to our 19th century cottage in the Peak District National Park be of interest? We've always wanted to visit Queensland and your home looks perfect. We are retired and can be flexible on dates and length of exchange and could offer a non-simultaneous exchange if preferred. I see you have family in England and our home is in a central location for visits. We'd be happy to answer any questions you have and look forward to your reply. Regards, Jane & David

Your message will include a link to your full listing and a small version of your main photo.

Over to you - What do you look for in a first exchange offer message? And what might put you off the idea of an exchange with the sender? Please leave your comments below.

 

Comments

[Lois, Home Base Holidays]

Hi Deborah

Your home would certainly be popular for an exchange during the rugby world cup and I hope you will join soon.

Click the link to the Home Base Holidays home page (right column near the top). You will find lots of information and be able to browse current exchange offers before joining. To join, click any of the Join Now links, choose your membership option (one year: £29 or two years £39). Complete the form with details of your home and offer (you will be able to change this information whenever you want after you join). Once finished, you will be re-directed to the payment page to choose to pay your membership fee by debit or credit card on the secure payment site or by PayPal.

As soon as you complete payment, your listing will be published on Home Base Holidays and you will be able to log on to your private member area to browse listings and contact other members to suggest an exchange. Note: you aren't under any obligation to go ahead with an exchange at this stage but are guaging interest. Then, once you find a member interested in your offer, you will communicate directly until you both are happy to agree to go ahead with the exchange. You will find much information on arranging exchanges on the website, in the Home Swappers newsletters - and on this blog. We are always here to help with any questions you have (use the contact form on the website to get in touch).

[Deborah Burns]

Hi-I'm not sure how I put an offer out? I have a large house in central Wellington, New Zealand, and would like to offer it during September/October 2011 when the rugby world cup is on here..I'd like to go and live in the home of someone in France or Wales or?? who would like to use my place for the rugby.What steps do I do to do this? Is there a cost? how do I post my advertisement?