Winning photo: home swap photography competition
The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to look back on posts published over the past 12 months. We aim to publish a variety of short posts of interest to both experienced home exchangers and those new to the idea of home swapping who often have a number of questions before pursuing their first home exchanges.
Looking over the posts that have had most views in 2019, there are three themes that predominate – ‘how to’ posts are the most popular, followed by members’ home exchange experience stories and thirdly, particular slants on home swapping by our guest posters.
We love to publish both Home Base Holidays members’ contributions (three extra free months are added to membership periods so it’s well worth sending in your short articles on any aspects of your home exchange experiences you feel will be of interest to others) and relevant posts by other travel bloggers (send us your ideas for guest posts and, if published, you will receive publicity for your own blog or travel site and a free six month membership to Home Base Holidays).
1. Share Traveler: Q&A with Home Base Holidays
Mark Sealey of Home Base Holidays was delighted to be interviewed in January for Share Traveler, an excellent independent home exchange information service. This was the most viewed of all posts published by Home Base Holidays in 2019 and was also available on the Share Traveller website. It’s hard to believe that Home Base Holidays celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2020! View this blog post
2. Large group? Plan well ahead for a home swap vacation
Searching home swaps to accommodate a large number of people?
We may still be in January, with memories of the holiday season barely faded (and still trying to shift weight gained from too many treats!), but smart, experienced home exchangers know it’s not too soon to start planning their next Christmas or New Year’s home swap, especially if looking for a home large enough to accommodate a large family group. View this blog post.
Go to the home swap search page and change your search options as needed (Accommodates: up to 12+. Bedrooms: up to 6+) to narrow the results to homes most likely to suit your needs.
3. Reasons to home swap (no hotels/rentals, pet care...)
Home Base Holidays members love home swapping for many reasons and it's particularly interesting to see what has attracted those new to home exchange. One recent member, Crepet, whose lovely home in Provence will, I'm sure, be of interest to many looking for a swap in France, gives her reasons in her member profile. View this blog post.
4. Travel Q&A: wheelchair accessible home swaps
I'm looking to arrange a home swap between my condo in Sydney for wheelchair accessible accommodation in London, England. Do you have any suggestions? View this blog post.
5. Top 10: things to do at the end of a home swap
For many first time home swappers it can be a little bit daunting knowing what is expected at the end of the home exchange. Here's a check list of 10 good things to do at the end of a home swap. View this blog post.
6. Tips to declutter your home before a home swap
Getting ready for your summer home swap vacation? Your guests will be very much looking forward to staying in your home, a real home, and so won't be expecting to stay in a showroom. However, it is important that your home is clean and welcoming for your home swap guests. Here are a few tips that will help you declutter your home ready for your guests arrival. View this blog post.
7. Arranging a home swap: messaging etiquette
One of the the biggest frustrations faced when organising a home exchange is having slow replies or no replies to enquiry messages. At Home Base Holidays we always try to emphasise the importance of replying to all messages you receive even if just to say "Thanks for your offer but it is not what I am looking for". View this blog post.
8. Winning photo: home swap photography competition
A BIG thank you to everyone that sent in their photos to our home swap photography competition. We received nearly 300 photos making it extremely hard to select a winner. The photos we received included everything from fun selfies taken during a home swap, lovely photos of markets and off-the-tourist trail discoveries, as well as several very impressive photos from professional travel photographers. However, we loved the natural joy in Kate's winning photo (above) which was taken during her family's home exchange in the English Lake District. As the winner of the photo competition, Kate will be sent a Kindle Paperwhite! View this blog post.
9. Home exchange websites: the annoyance of automatic membership payments
It's quite common here at Home Base Holidays for us to be contacted by people very interested in home swapping but also cautious about signing up after bad experiences where they were automatically charged a hefty membership fee on other home exchange websites. View this blog post.
10. Q&A: convincing family members to try a home swap vacation
Hi Home Base Holidays, I am very interested in arranging a home exchange but the problem is convincing my husband. I wondered if you have any suggestions? View this blog post.
11. 75 home exchanges in thirty years, and counting...
Guest post by Home Base Holidays member and experienced home swapper, Irene Bews:
Little did I think when we dropped the first letter into the post box offering our house for exchange that this was a process I was destined to repeat many times over the next thirty years. View this blog post.
12. Tips to make your home swap listing stand out
It’s important that your listing shows your home at its best and makes your home swap offer stand out. Here are some tips to help make the most of your listing. View this blog post.
13. Tips for arranging a Last Minute Home Exchange
We always recommend giving yourself plenty of time to find and plan your home exchange vacations. However, there can be times where the travel bug hits and you start searching last minute offers. At this time of year we still quite a number of members that are open to discussing possible exchanges for the upcoming winter holiday season. View this blog post.
14. Discovering new destinations: home swap experiences
"We returned to the USA in November after a wonderful home exchange to Mersea Island, England. It wasn’t a destination we had ever considered until communicating with experienced home exchangers, Kathy and Steve. Their home is lovely, comfortable and filled with unique original artwork. Mersea Island and the surrounding areas are beautiful and full of historic significance.” View this blog post.
15. Q&A: maximum length of a home exchange vacation?
I live in London and am looking to visit Melbourne in 2020 for an extended stay. I'm quite flexible with my travel dates but would like to stay from anywhere between 4 - 6 months. Home exchanging looks like it could be a good option but are there any limits to the length of a home exchange? View this blog post.
Swap homes: free vacation accommodation in 2020
January is a perfect time to start looking for your spring and summer home swaps, allowing plenty of time to find a good match and to get to know your home swap partners.
Browse thousands of home swap vacation offers
Sign up for free! Add your home to Home Base Holidays and start contacting other members to arrange your home swaps. Join Home Base Holidays
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