If you are first hearing about the concept of Home Exchange or Home Swapping, its not only you and you’re not alone. This unique way of travel bartering is still unknown to so many around the world. Despite watching the movie “The Holiday” years ago, I never entertained the idea of swapping my home with someone halfway across the world. I wasn’t sure how it worked, what the fees were or who would ever want to spend time at my house. This might be because I was twelve when the movie came out and I had no Home to offer, but this was such a foreign idea.

Yet, Home Exchange must be doing something right. They have been in business for a while. In 1992 they opened as Guest to Guest and then in 2011 Home Exchange came on the scene. In 2017 they merged to form the Home Exchange we know and love today. Their membership numbers have been increasing ever since. So, if this many people had found success with them, could I? What was stopping me?

I am from Canada, we hosted friends and family all the time, but we were always home. We never considered having someone in our home while we were way. I not actually sure why? Would someone touch something they shouldn’t or break something?, steal something or not agree to leave? There are many things that goes through your head when thinking of having some person in your home, let alone a stranger. Will my place be nice enough for them? Will I return to an empty house because they cleaned me out? Will they not find it clean enough or in a good enough location? You can let you mind run wild.

If you want to be successful on this platform, there are things you should avoid.

1. Using Generic Templates to Request Exchanges

You only get one first impression and you want to make it a good one. Yes, we all want a swap in a desirable destination. But, those properties in prime locations get asked all the time, sometime 3-5 time a day for an exchange. You need to stand out from those other requests to get something you want. This means not using those templates provided to you when making a request for an exchange. Personalize your message by reading their profile to learn about them and what they like. What are their hobbies and how many people travel in their party? If your house suitable for an exchange with them?

2. Having Unrealistic Home Expectations

Home Exchange isn’t a hotel, nor is it a five-star resort. Yes, you can exchange with some lovely properties, but these are people’s homes and people live here. If a place is clean and not cluttered, what else can you ask for? It is normal to have closets full of cloths, ½ used condiments in the fridge, sometimes even expired. If you are looking to exchange a luxury property, a special collections membership is a available. This may be a more suitable package.

3. Unrealistic Expectations of How Communication Should Happen.

This is people’s home, not a booking platform. That means that people can choose not to host you for any reason they want. If a home has availability, doesn’t mean that you are free to have it. It’s personal to have someone in your space and people want to be careful who they let in their home. This also means that it will be common for people to not respond to your requests. Not everyone is on the platform daily and responses can take as long as 6 months sometimes. When they get a lot of requests, its normal for them to be unresponsive. It’s not personal, they can do what they want, don’t get mad, move on.

4. Show No Appreciation to Host

Don’t be entitled, it’s a privilege to be able to use any home via this platform. Should gratitude and respect to the homeowner as a result. I am aware that owners can put their space up on a paid platform such as Airbnb which will get them more money. I am grateful that their space is available and I want them happy about their choice. I would never want to jeopardize loosing any homes from the platform.

If I exchange with a secondary home, I am extra appreciative because I know the owners other options are more profitable than Home Exchange. Due to this its, important to show gratitude, this is happens with a small gift and message or card. This allows hosts to know that their space was enjoyed and that this has made a difference for the guests.

5. Poor Communication

Its so strange how many of us are poor communicators and are unaware of this. To communicate well

Avoid sending information about your rules and house customs last minute. Make sure that guests are informed at last a week before their stay. If you have trouble with something, reach out to the owner to give them the opportunity to fix it or help you find something you cant find. Communication is key to the success of this platform, make sure you’re a good communicator. If you’re a host, give clear directions and be available when your guest is checking in or provide the number to a neighbour who could help if there is any struggle.

6. Not Leaving The Place As You Found It.

This means washing all bedding, towels, and dishes. Yes, this is not a hotel and you are expected to leave the home in the way you received it. This may mean ensuring you have a flight or departure time that allows you to have the time necessary to clean the home. Unless you have received direction otherwise, EVERYTHING must be cleaned and replaced before your departure. This includes replacing used food, toilet paper and shampoo. This is both respectful and considerate of one’s home.

7. Touching Anything In The Home You Weren’t Explicitly Told You Could

I mean anything. Baring towels and Bedding. I often ask is there is anything I should avoid touching or a room we should avoid during our stay. Do not assume you can use food, spices or toiletry items. This is not your house and you do not know what type of attachment the home owners have to those items. I once heard of a person who left a candle, not thinking they needed to say anything, and it was $100+ candle and the guest used the entire thing during their stay. They were quite upset. Don’t assume because its spices, a little sauce or some toppings that its ok to use it. Its not unless you have been given the go ahead.

8. Try to Operate Outside the Platform.

Home Exchange is a paid service, and some people try to avoid the fees by communicating with members outside of the platform. This is often to get paid stays or to just avoid the membership fee. Remember that the membership fee provides you with insurance for any damages and guarantees your stay. If your exchange partner cancels on you, Home Exchange will assist in providing alternative accommodations for your stay. These protections are not in place for off platform exchanges and are against Home Exchange policies.

9. Not Being Flexible with Dates or Destinations

Home Exchange is not a booking site for your vacation and as a result doesn’t have availability for your desired destination and dates when you want. You’re not always going to land a place in the city centre close to attractions. This can be frustrating, especially when looking for simultaneous exchanges or if you have limited availability. Be willing to stay in the suburbs and a train or bus ride away from sites.

To be successful on this platform you need to work within the openings in people’s calendars. Choose areas further than the hotels are located, but where the locals are. Most people are looking to host guests staying for longer than 1 week, exchanging can be burdensome for short stays, and if they are flying across an ocean, they typically want to pair a stay at your place with another local destination. To make the flight worth their wild.

Be willing to travel in the off season, extend or shorten your stay as necessary and offer guests a longer stay at your place to make it more enticing.

10. Making Expensive Travel Arrangements Before Confirming an Exchange

Don’t book flights, car rentals, tickets or make other costly payments when your exchange isn’t finalized. Bookings are only guaranteed once finalized. Before that, any host or guest can pull out of the exchange and make other plans, leaving you without a place to stay. People are approached with an offer to exchange all the time. Make sure both parties agree on the terms of the exchange and make sure to finalize it to avoid disappointment. You never know who else the host or guest is talking too. Nothing is guaranteed until the exchange is confirmed.

Bonus

11. Thinking That There Are No Extra Cost Involved

There are costs for utilities used by the family using your home while your away. So yes, Home Exchange can save you on costs, but it doesn’t illuminate them. The more guests you have, the higher the operational cost.

If this is a secondary residence, owners may need to hire a cleaner or property manager to care for the home, clean after each visit and prepare for the next guest. Especially if they don’t live near by. This cost is shown as a cleaning fee for a stay at their place.

Some primary homes want their home place professionally cleaned before they arrive home, and this is a cost they ask the guest to pay. Home Exchange requires these costs to be mentioned in the homes description and they can not be added after an exchange is approved.

Cleaning fees are not always present, but in destinations with high labor costs, these fees can be costly and will need to be accounted for in an exchange.

Please note that a cleaning fee is currently the only allowed fee on the platform (or tourist taxes where applicable). Utility costs, late check in fees, bedding, or home basics such as towels or sheets are to be included free of charge with an exchange. Gifts are recommended, but you may not demand them from guests or host.

Now that you know which 10 (11) things you should avoid as a Home Exchange Member, you are on your way to becoming a stellar part of the Home Exchange community. By avoiding the mistakes above, you are one step above the rest, by making Home Exchange work for you.

It’s place where you can make vacation dreams come true for both you and your guests, a place where you can meet like minded travelers from all over the world who use this travel accommodation bartering program successfully. Good for you for thinking out of the box. Now let’s see how your exchanges improve.

Tell me in the comments if you have used any of these recommendations and if they improved your review score, enjoyment level or success rate of your stays.