Did you know that you can spend a holiday in your dream destination without spending a fortune? Yes, you can. The answer is home swapping.
The practice of swapping homes has been going on around the world for decades now. Many couples and families have been taking advantage of this and most were satisfied with their experiences.
Home swapping dates back to 1953 and originally involved low-cost accommodations only. During its early days, it was done through snail mail. Its popularity peaked in the 1970s when more people joined in the trend. Today,interested couples and families can experience living temporarily even in high end homes in top tourist destinations they’ve only dreamed of in the past.
Where to Start
So where do you start? It would be a good idea to first read about this practice and get to know the experiences of those who have tried it. This should give you an idea on how to go about doing a home exchange even with someone or a family you don’t even know, where to find your dream home swap and it will also answer your many questions.
There are many websites today where you can arrange a home swap. Most of these sites also provide information on this practice and share tips with interested travelers and readers.
Once you have decided to do a home swap, you need to list your house on your preferred website. Make sure you have taken photos of the different areas of your home for people to see on the site. Provide a short description of the property and a friendly invitation.
How to Negotiate
The next step would be to negotiate once you receive a request for a swap. Normally, eager home swappers communicate via email or Skype chat to make arrangements on their specific conditions that include cleanliness around the house, food stocks and use of the car. A written agreement will also depend on what you have agreed.
More importantly, you need to schedule your home swap months before to give you enough time to prepare for your trip and to prepare your home for its new visitors.
Photo via blog.barterquest.com