Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

5 Tips to make sure you have happy home swap guests

Guest blog post: Janis Fisher Chan is a writer, editor and passionate traveller who loves home exchanging. If you love travel and love getting a real feel for your destination, Janis encourages you to try home swapping!

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“Conveniently located”  -  “loved it”  -  “comfortable”  -  “just what we expected”  -  “highly recommend”  -  “friendly and helpful”  -  “would love to come back”

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Just the words we want to hear from our satisfied guests! It’s so wonderful when our home swap partners say “We loved your home!”. Experienced home swappers know that helping guests enjoy their stay in your home isn’t difficult, but it does take some extra attention. Here are 5 tips for making sure that you have satisfied guests.

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Tip 1. Make sure your home description is accurate

We were excited to find a 2-bedroom home swap near the Coliseum for our 6-week trip to Rome. It was a wonderful apartment, spacious and filled with light, with a brand-new kitchen and bath. The only problem was the bed. The description boasted of a “brand new queen-sized bed” – exactly what we wanted. It was new, all right, but instead of a mattress, it was unforgiving futon stuffed with cotton batting set right on the tile floor. After a couple of sleepless nights, we finally reached our host. “Never thought to mention,” he said over a crackly phone connection from Cuba. Pause. “Sorry.” 

Misleading guests about the sleeping arrangements is one quick way to make them unhappy. Another is to be vague or misleading about the home’s location. Daly City is not the center of San Francisco. A suburban home 5 blocks from the beach is not a beachside cottage. Have a 5 floor walk up apartment? Make sure guests know that there is no elevator.

If you want satisfied guests, be accurate and complete in your home listing about sleeping arrangements, location, the condition of the kitchen and bathroom, the size and layout of the home, whether it’s light or dark, the number of stairs… everything they might want or need to know. Be sure to emphasize anything unusual – such as a futon on the tile floor.

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Tip 2. Provide the basics (toilet paper, basic food, bedding, towels)

Once in a while we’ve arrived at a home exchange home to find a single roll of toilet paper, one worn towel for each of us, a meagre sliver of soap, and nearly bare kitchen cabinets. We don’t expect our home exchange and short-term hosts to provide everything we need for a long stay, but it’s annoying when we have to put shopping for basics first on our agenda and spend our valuable travel money to supplement household goods. We have a special fondness for hosts who are thoughtful enough to provide what we need to be comfortable: paper goods, cleaning supplies, towels and sheets, pots, pans, kitchenware, and so on.

It’s not difficult or expensive to provide the basics for your guests. Think about what you would need if you were staying in a home like yours for a few days or a few weeks. Then stock up.

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Tip 3. Let your guests know how things work

One European apartment we stayed in had a newly renovated kitchen, with shiny new stainless-steel appliances, including a state-of-the-art induction stove. It looked great in the photos and great when we arrived. But when we tried to cook, the induction stove was a puzzle. We spent hours poring through the manual with a translation dictionary and talking with our host over Skype, and we never really learned how to use it.

Every home has its quirks. Increase your chances of having satisfied guests by anticipating what they need to know about your home. Give them clear, detailed instructions: how to turn on the heat or air conditioner, where to put the garbage, or how to keep the toilet from overflowing. Not only will that help your guests enjoy their stay, you’ll be less likely to be bothered by frantic emails and phone calls when they can’t figure something out.

Check out our 3 easy steps for creating a home swap welcome guide

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Tip 4. Have someone on the ground in case of emergencies

Two weeks into our home swap in Paris last year, I checked email before we headed out for a walk in the Marais. There was a message from our short-term tenant: “Sorry to bother you, but there’s water leaking from the ceiling in the downstairs bathroom.” Oh, no, we thought, envisioning the ceiling giving way and the upstairs shower crashing down. What to do? That’s not the kind of thing you want to happen at any time, but certainly not when you’re a continent and ocean away. Fortunately, we were prepared. We asked her to contact Jim, our wonderful fix-it guy who knows our home and has seen us through many emergencies over the years. By the next morning, Jim had checked out the problem, reassured us that the ceiling was not about to come down, and started the process for getting the leak fixed.

It’s a fact of traveling life that all kinds of things can happen while you’re away. So plan for them. Arrange for one or more people you trust who can step in when a pipe bursts or the furnace goes out. You and your tenants will be glad you did.

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Tip 5. Be a virtual tour guide (provide local tips and recommendations)

One of the things we like most about living in someone else’s home is exploring the area, finding places to buy groceries and have coffee, trying new restaurants, poking into shops, learning about this new place. But some hosts make it easier for us than others by leaving information and tips that help us get started.

Think about what your guests might need or like to know about your neighborhood and your town or city, things they might not find in their tourist guides. Then put together a “welcome” packet. Depending on where you live and how long guests will be staying, you might include maps and restaurant menus; directions to grocery stores and markets; where to buy bus and train tickets; locations of parks, gyms, beauty salons, and pharmacies; suggestions for good places to walk; and brochures for interesting places and sights known only to locals. 

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Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping Looking for a budget friendly break? Arrange free holiday accommodation by choosing to swap homes rather than book hotels or holiday rentals. View the latest home exchange vacation offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.

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How to write description for your Home Exchange listing

Home swapping? Include a good description of your home and area

Planning a home exchange holiday? Writing a good description for your home swap offer can really helps your offer stand out. Providing an honest detailed description also helps to avoid any misunderstandings during the holiday. Creating a clear, compelling description gives other home swappers a good sense of your home and location.

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Step 1: Look at your home from the visitor's point of view

Imagine you’re talking on the phone with a potential home swap guest who knows only that your home might be right in terms of its general location and size. What questions might the person ask? What features of your home and its location might encourage the person to agree an exchange?

Tip: If you had only 140 characters in which to convey what’s best about your home, what would you say?

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Step 2: Write a compelling headline

If you were looking for a place to stay with your family in London, which of these listing headlines would grab your attention?

“East London home”

OR

“Spacious family home in vibrant East London. Excellent public transport nearby”

The second headline gives you useful information and makes the home seem appealing. It tells you at a glance that the home is family friendly and sounds like a great base from which to explore London. The carefully chosen words such as “spacious” and “family home” convey a sense of what the home is like and implies that the home has everything you might need for your stay.

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Step 3: List points to include in your home exchange listing description

Before you start to write your home exchange description, make a list of the features and items of information to include. Include key facts about your home and its location, along with anything that makes it special.

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Step 4: Write a quick first draft

Read through your list. Then start writing. Use active language to help people visualise the home and the area. Be specific and truthful. Tell them what you like about living there and why they’ll find it the perfect home from home.

Tip: Start your home exchange description with a sentence that conveys the most important message about your home.

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Step 5: Improve the draft

Now is the time to be critical. Use the guidelines below to make sure that your description makes your home come alive and answers travellers’ most important questions.

Be specific. Try not to be too vague. If you wrote “It’s a fabulous apartment” would the reader know what you mean? A more useful description might be: “Our lovely bright open plan apartment has beautiful picture windows that overlook the ocean.” Use language that talks to potential guests, such as “You’ll appreciate the warmth of our fieldstone fireplace on chilly evenings.” Be concise. It’s important to include detailed information about your home and area but remember, you’re not writing a novel. Instead, readers will scan the content quickly to pick out the most interesting and relevant points. Short sentences and short paragraphs communicate clearly and quickly, so make it crisp, clear, and to the point, avoiding the common tendency to ramble or repeat yourself. Use adjectives with care. Descriptive words such as “cozy” “spacious” “elegant” and “comfortable” can convey a sense of what your home is like. But what a Londoner or a New Yorker might consider a “spacious” apartment can seem little more than a closet to a traveller from Colorado. One person’s idea of “beautiful” or “elegant” might seem gaudy or overdone to someone else. Also, avoid using lots of capitalized words! Be truthful! Your description creates expectations in the traveller’s mind, so it should always be truthful and accurate in your home exchange listing description. There’s no need to emphasise the negatives but never fudge the truth or omit any important details that may result in a bad home swap experience for your guests. An example of this is, if you own a dog or a cat, make sure that this is clearly included in your description – even if the pets are not in your home during the swap dates, their fur may make it a big no no for anyone with pet allergies.

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Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping Enjoy free holiday accommodation by arranging a home swap. Sign up to Home Base Holidays Start swapping: browse home swap holiday offers

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Lovely home swap in New Quay (+ host's friendly cats!)

Rick & Jen enjoyed an Easter holiday exploring the Ceredigion coastal path

It's so nice hearing from Home Base Holidays members about their home swap holidays. Here's an excellent trip report from very experienced home swappers, Rick & Jen, on their recent holiday exchanging to Susanne & John's home next to the Ceredigion coast.

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Rick & Jen's lovely Easter swap exploring the Ceredigion coastal path "We had such a lovely home swap in Wales over the Easter period. Susanne and John's home is just inland from some glorious coastal scenery, prompting regular evening walks along the beach watching the sunsets. New Quay port can get busy so we opted for the free parking at the old waterworks and walked around the sandy bay when the tide was out, we loved it! Highlights of the home exchange - being welcomed by the friendly Greek cats, superb views from the house over the Welsh countryside, cycling the numourous lanes, the woodland walk from the centre of Llanarth round to the New Quay road, and the garden centre just next door made few quite a few visits. Recommended trips for coast walks and sandy coves would be Mwnt and Llangrannog, and the National Trust gold mines at Dolaucothi is well worth the trip. Great tips and communications made for a very relaxing and stress-free week, thanks again Susanne for the swap, hope you enjoyed your time in the Dales." - Rick & Jen

Highlights of the holiday: Great location in gorgeous Welsh countryside Friendly welcome from the cats Regular communications made for stress-free week

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Rick & Jen's farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales Stone farmhouse in quiet location just off the main square in Grassington. View their home swap holiday offer	Susanne & John's house by the Welsh coast Cosy 4-bedroom house in the beautiful area of Wales called Ceredigion. View their home swap holiday offer

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home exchange holiday offers

Home swap holidays: how to find a good match?

Home swapping is such a fantastic and budget friendly way to travel. However, when planning a home swap holiday, it’s important to take your time to discuss all details to avoid any potential issues later on. Shown below are five tips on how to prevent a mismatched home swap.

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Tip 1: Decide what’s important to you

Experienced home exchangers know that flexibility is key. You’re staying in a real lived in home and most homes / locations have quirks. So don’t go into a swap looking for everything to be perfect or like a show home.

Still, you’ll be more successful if you are clear about your must-haves. For many, one of the key requirements is the location and obviously that the home is big enough for their family. You might be looking to enjoy city life where you’re within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, museums, shops, open markets, and more. Alternatively, when visiting a city, you may prefer to stay in a quieter neighbourhood in the suburbs but with good public transport into the centre.

You might need high speed internet and if so, make sure to check this is available before agreeing a swap.

As mentioned, when home swapping, you’re staying in a real home, not a show home. So don’t worry if your home is not super luxurious – most home swappers homes are just nice normal lived-in homes. If it’s very important to you to stay in a super stylish home, make sure to carefully check the photos and description of the property before agreeing to a swap.

There’s one more thing, and it’s non-negotiable – all home swappers much make sure that their home is CLEAN and welcoming!

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Tip 2: Learn as much as you can about the exchange home

To avoid a mismatch, study the photos and the home description. Examine the map to make sure the home is where you want to be. If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask; your home swap partner should be happy to fill in the missing details.

For example, many older buildings in European cities do not have lifts. Therefore, if you have any mobility issues or simply do not fancy walking up several flights of stairs – double check with your home swap partner about access to their apartment.

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Tip 3: Make sure your exchange partners knows what to expect in your home

While surprises are part of every home exchange - sometimes the best part - no one wants to find that their temporary home is not at all what they expected. Try to find out what’s important to your home exchange partners. Address important questions they might not think to ask. For example, if they’re coming to attend an event, alert them to traffic patterns or roadworks that might create delays.

Mention relevant facts about your home and furnishings, as well as the type of neighbourhood you’re in, even if those details are in your listing.

Be sure to tell your exchange partners about anything in the listing, such as a community pool, that won’t be available while they’re staying in your home. Always alert them if a pet has lived in the home recently because many people are allergic to animals.

It’s always a good idea to create a welcome pack for your guests with information about your home (e.g. how to turn off/on the alarm, the knack of turning on the niggly cooker hob, etc) as well as tips and recommendations about your local area (e.g. public transport, recommended cafes / restaurants, etc). It’s also helpful to include your “house rules,” such as keeping noise down after ten at night or not parking in neighbours’ spaces, and a description of anything you’d like your partner to do, such as take in the mail, water the plants, etc.

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Tip 4: Have direct conversations with your home swap partners

As well as using the home swap website's messaging or emails, it’s always good to schedule in a phone or even video call when discussing a possible swap.

Think of conversations as part of the screening process. Talking directly helps you and your partner build the trust and confidence that are key to home exchanging. You can learn more about what your exchange partner expects in your home, find out whether the exchange home meets your must-have criteria, clarify details and clear up any misunderstandings. A direct person-to-person connection also makes it much easier to resolve any problems that might come up during the exchange.

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Tip 5: Confirm details of the swap in writing

There’s one last step for preventing a mismatched home swap: put the details into a written agreement to be signed by both partners. The agreement should summarise the key points you’ve discussed and give you and your swap partner a chance to spot possible issues.

How you write the agreement is up to you. But to be useful, it should include at least… The dates of the swap The number of people who will stay in each home What each partner will provide (such as linens and basic supplies) A statement that each partner will leave their home clean and in good condition (e.g., with working heat, air conditioning, wifi, TV, and appliances) A description of who pays for what (such as utilities and damage) A statement of what happens in case one partner needs to cancel or come home early (e.g. would you agree to split the cost of a rental?)

 

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Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping Enjoy free holiday accommodation by arranging a home swap. Sign up to Home Base Holidays Start swapping: browse home swap holiday offers

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Travel Q&A: I have a lodger, can I still swap my home?

Can you arrange a home swap holiday when you have a lodger?

Q: We have a 4-bedroom house in North London. I've been looking at home swapping as a family holiday option, however there is a problem (or maybe not?)... we have a lodger! Our lodger has lived with us for over a year, he's a muture student in his mid 30s, he's really nice and pretty much keeps himself to himself, although does share the bathroom. Does this ever happen with other members and do you think I'd still be able to arrange a home swap holiday? - Barbara (London, England)

A: What an interesting question! Although I can't recall a Home Base Holidays member ever mentioning taking part in an exchange while having a resident lodger, this doesn't mean it never happens. There could be similar situations where a home may be occupied by a grown up child, housekeeper, etc. during an exchange. Having a lodger won't preclude you from swapping your home but you will need to inform potential home exchange partners - and your lodger!

How well a home exchange will work when a home is occupied probably boils down to common sense, i.e. if the lodger is rarely in or stays mainly in his/her room, doesn't share your living space (other than your bathroom), then there shouldn't be any issues so long as this is discussed your guests prior to agreeing to exchange. And of course this works the other way around too; it's a good idea to discuss this with your lodger and make sure he/she is also happy to have other people staying in the home (if they are a quiet student, they may not want to share their space with people they don't know).

Take care (as you would anyway) in choosing your lodger and in selecting compatible exchange partners (who don't mind that your home will be occupied during their stay) and you should be able to combine the two without problems. In fact, if the lodger and your exchange partners get on, this could actually be a bonus for your guests who may enjoy having a 'local' to show them the area and explain how things work in your house!

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Start home swapping and cut the cost of your next holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays and save up to 90% on the cost of your holidays by arranging a home exchange. Search the latest home swap holiday offers

3 Easy Steps for Creating a Home Exchange User Guide

It’s good to anticipate what your home exchange guests might need to know about their home and local area. It can be frustrating to spend your valuable holiday time figuring out how to use the new appliances, how to get hot water from the shower, or where to put the rubbish and recycling.

Putting together a home user guide for your guests not only helps them enjoy their stay, but it conveys a clear message: “We want you to enjoy your stay!”. It has the added benefit of helping to keep you from being bombarded by texts and phone calls while you’re also relaxing on your home swap holiday.

Here are 3 easy steps for creating a great home user guide. Once you’ve written and assembled the guide, all you’ll need to do is update it when something changes.

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Step 1. Decide what “must-have” content to include

Think about what guests need to know to live comfortably in your home and handle any problems that might come up. Must-have content typically includes:

• A short, friendly note welcoming your guests to your home
• The home’s street address and telephone number
• How guests can reach you while they are staying in your home
• The password or code for your security system, if any, and how to turn it and off
• The Wifi password and what to do if it goes down
• Phone numbers for the fire department, police, hospital, pharmacy, and poison control
• Instructions for sorting the recycling, where to put the rubbish and recycling
• What to do if the power goes out, the plumbing backs up, the heater or water heater won’t go on, they lose their keys, or something else serious happens
• Instructions and/or manuals for the appliances, heater/air conditioner, TV, streaming services, sound system, barbecue, and other equipment
• Cautions (“The toilet in the front bathroom backs up easily so be gentle”; “Please do not lock the door between the stairs and the back hall – we don’t have a key”; “the drawer in the kitchen table falls out easily so be careful when you open it”)
• Rules (“Please do not play the TV or music loudly after 10:00 at night”; “Please do not smoke in the house or on the property”; “Please park only in our assigned space, #288”)
• What guests should do when they leave (“Please replace the toilet paper and cleaning supplies”; “Strip the beds and put the sheets in the washer”; “Leave us some milk, eggs, butter, and bread”)

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Step 2. Decide what nice-to-have information to include

A big part of traveling is the fun of exploring a new area, but it’s also nice to have a local’s point of view. Help guests have a great experience by being a “virtual tourist guide,” with suggestions for places they might not find in their travel books.

• Where to shop: supermarkets, farmers’ markets, bookstores, cafes
• How to get around: maps of the area along with bus, train, and ferry information and schedules along with phone numbers for taxi and airport shuttle services
• Where to play: parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, gyms, beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, hiking trails, ski slopes, and other recreational facilities
• Where to eat: a selection of cafes, bars and restaurants they might enjoy

Tip: Collect menus from places you like and leave them for your guests

• What to see: local attractions such as museums, art galleries, nature preserves, sports arenas, universities, and more

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Step 3. Write and assemble your home user guide

Make your home user guide easy to read. Use lists and headings to help guests quickly find specific information. Keep sentences and paragraphs to a minimum. To assemble the guide, you can staple the pages of instructions and suggestions together and put the maps, menus, and brochures in a basket or put everything in a binder or folder with pockets.

Tip: E-mail guests a copy of the written part of the guide so they can look it over and ask questions before they arrive.

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Arrange a home swap holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays for free and contact members to arrange your home swap holiday accommodation. Search home swap holiday offers

Putting your home exchange membership 'on hold'

Sometimes life gets in the way and you're not in a position to plan your next home swap holiday or respond to members' enquiry messages. Therefore, please feel free to contact us at Home Base Holidays if you'd like to put your membership on hold for a few weeks or a few months.

There can be times where this is a really useful option e.g. when moving home, undertaking major house renovation, arranging a different type of holiday, or when a family member is unwell.

We'll always do whatever we can to help our members and so are always happy to pause your membership until you're ready to start home swapping again.

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• If you should ever need your membership put on hold, contact us.

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Arrange a home swap holiday Sign up to Home Base Holidays for free and contact members to arrange your home swap holiday accommodation. Search home swap holiday offers