Home Exchange Article: addressing concerns about swapping homes

'I put an ad somewhere saying I might like to swap houses, and got a response many months later from an English family, BUT am sort of cold feetish, not knowing about my art collection, loads of nice things in my house, and while I am confident their stuff is safe with ME....am anxious about them. Ha ha ha .....isn't that the way?' - Diana M.

This is a quote from Diana, a recent Canadian subscriber to 'Home Swappers', a specialist home exchange newsletter. Diana expresses a natural reaction many people have initially to the idea of having 'strangers' in their most private spaces, their homes. If you can accept that other people will have exactly the same concerns about you as you do about them when you are first in contact, and are willing to take the time to get to know potential exchange partners and make careful preparations before an exchange holiday, the risks involved in home exchange are minimal. You will join a growing band of enthusiastic exchangers worldwide with many wonderful exchange possibilities to look forward to.

Tom McGonigle and family had their first exchange in summer 2000 when they exchanged their home in Belfast with a family from Austin, Texas. Tom writes: 'Having set up the exchange in December 1999, we really enjoyed the long lead-in. Communication by email and phone reassured us that we were dealing with responsible people who shared our priorities and interests. The children enjoyed getting to know each other via email, planning theme park visits, comparing toys and games, favourite things to do locally and preferred restaurants. The sense of anticipation was enhanced by exchange of photos and books about local activities, and organising flight arrangements.'

A full report on the McGonigle exchange can be read in 'Home Swappers', issue 6:

http://www.homebase-hols.com/news6.shtml

Careful preparation is the key to enjoyable and trouble free exchanges. Detailed Guidelines are available which act as a reminder on every step - from first contacting members to suggest a swap to final arrangements before the exchange:

http://www.homebase-hols.com/guidelines.shtml

Further Information

Contact Lois Sealey at Home Base Holidays: homeexchange@btinternet.com or by phone +44(0)20 8886 8752