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April 27, 2015

BBC One’s 'Home Away from Home': looking for home swap participants for the second series

Many UK Home Base Holidays members took part in the first series of Home Away from Home and a second series is now in production. As before, you must be a UK resident to take part but other criteria is wider than before, e.g. couples (married, partners, friends) and families with children are invited; both experienced and first-time home swappers are welcome to take part. Also, if you have a second home, you can use this for the swap provided you don't let it out commercially.

The perks: As well as taking part in filming being an interesting experience, all reasonable expenses are covered including food, travel and entry to attractions.

To help you decide if this is of interest, and if you didn't see any of the programmes in the first series, check it out here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04ks591

HAVE YOU EVER FANCIED A HOME SWAP HOLIDAY?

BBC One's Home Away from Home is back! And we're looking for people who want to try out a home swap holiday in the UK.

Do you live in a home you'd be happy to swap with someone elsewhere in the UK for a short break?

Would you like the chance to have a new experience and discover local cuisine, sight-seeing that goes beyond the guide book, and an authentic place to stay?

With Home Away from Home you could be enjoying a unique holiday experience in a stunning part of the UK.

For an application form or an initial chat, please contact Home Base Holidays (TV series in the subject line) and we’ll forward your message to Emma, the Assistant Producer, who will then contact your directly. We look forward to hearing from you.

in Home Exchange: Articles in the Press + TV/Radio | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 26, 2015

‘Banking’ a home exchange: arranging a non-simultaneous home swap

Q: I have been speaking to a person about a house swap; these people want to 'bank' our home for 2016 while we go to their home in 2015. What does this mean? – Liz

A: The member is using 'banking' as another way of suggesting a non-simultaneous exchange, i.e. you have your part of the exchange at their home sometime this year and they will come to your home on agreed dates next year. Non-simultaneous home exchanges can work well, and give members more flexibility on dates (they don't have to agree dates both are able to swap at the same time, and is particularly useful for members swapping second homes). However, if you are swapping your family home and it would be difficult to make it available for exchange partners later on when you won't be swapping yourself, then it would be best to stick to simultaneous exchanges.

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April 23, 2015

Happy St George's Day! Find your English home swap

Wishing everyone a very Happy St George's Day! Being based in London (and operating a home exchange service since 1985), Home Base Holidays has thousands of tempting home exchange travel offers throughout England. Search our English home swap offers to find your perfect home exchange in England

in General Home Exchange Information, Home Base Holidays, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 21, 2015

Enjoyed a home swap? Win a Kobo Touch eReader

We love reading your trip reports! To thank you we're giving away another Kobo Touch eReader to one lucky member.

How to win a Kobo eReader:

We will randomly select one of the trip reports and then send that member a Kobo eReader Touch (great to take on your next exchange!). To be in with a chance of winning simply log in and add your home swap trip report by the 25th April 2015.

Not yet been on a swap?

You can still enter the Kobo eReader Touch prize draw. First make sure that you have an active Home Base Holidays membership (not yet a member? Add your home) and then simply send us an email to [email protected] telling us why home swapping appeals to you.

in General Home Exchange Information, Home Base Holidays, Travel, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 19, 2015

Preparing Your Home For a Successful Swap

By Bryn Huntpalmer

If you are going to be staying in someone else’s home you want it to be clean and feel like a vacation rather than crashing at your brother’s house, right? The same goes for preparing your own home for a house swap. We’ve put together a handy checklist of things to take care of before you head off on your next swapping adventure!

Bathrooms

Via Modernize

Bathrooms are the most gross so let’s take of this first.

Open windows to air the room out while you clean.
Throw away extra bath products you don’t need and store the rest somewhere out of sight
Spray down shower/tub with cleaner and be sure to allow ample time for soaking before wiping down
Clean mirrors and windows
Wipe down walls and sweep or vacuum.
Wash and scrub the floor
Add something that smells good like a toilet refresher or aroma sticks

Bedrooms

Via Modernize

This is the room your houseguests will be most focused on when they arrive because it is the key element when staying at a hotel.

Air out the room as much as possible to get rid of your personal scent (no offense we all have one)
Remove and wash all linens then put the room back together as professionally as possible (make your mother proud!)
Go through your drawers, straighten them up, and donate, trash or store anything that your guests won’t be using
Wash mirrors and windows (inside and out)
Vacuum carpets, drapes, and ceilings. Be sure to move the bed, dressers, and other furniture to vacuum behind and under them.
Store your clothes and shoes out of sight and leave some extra hangers for your guests to use.

Living room

Via Modernize

The living room should be inviting and uncluttered so your guests can create their own experience while staying in your house rather than living your life.

Set out a few clean and cozy throw blankets.
Dust off television, entertainment center, and other furniture and photos
Wash all drapes and blinds
Clean off the ceiling fan since it tends to gather dust and rarely gets cleaned
Use a vacuum with a special furniture tool to get into those couch cushions and remove the dirt. No one wants to see your old Doritos under their cushions when they are on vacation.
Vacuum and sweep up all carpeted areas and rugs
Pack up anything that is making the space look cluttered or that you don’t want your guests getting into.

Kitchen

Via Modernize

Kitchens are the hardest to keep clean so this room will require the deepest clean.

Remove items from all drawers, clean the drawers and each item
Sanitize all cooking surfaces
Open up that pantry and toss any expired items - you don’t want to gross your guests out with 3 year old beans.
Clean out fridge and freezer. You can leave essentials that your guests might use but get rid of any sticky messes or food that will go bad quickly.
Clean stovetop and oven — use the self-cleaning option on the oven that you’ve never tried!
Sweep and vacuum ceiling to remove any surface dirt
Wipe down walls, backsplashes, and any ceiling spots
Scrub out microwave, including any trays or plates inside it
Sweep and mop floor to a perfect shine

Voila! You should have a beautiful and clean space ready to host the best of house swappers! Enjoy your vacation and rest assured that those staying in your house will enjoy theirs.

For more home design tips and tricks, head to Modernize.com.