No-one ever pretends that setting up a successful home
exchange is easy. To the contrary, if you don't live in
one of the more sought after locations, it can be a
challenge. But a challenge is not an impossibility, quite
the opposite, a challenge if viewed positively can be
enormous fun!
There are a few points to remember which will often make the
task a great deal easier:
1. Use your favorite word processing program to carefully set
up a generic email that you can copy and paste into the
text box provided in the programmed contact form. This will
allow you to send out multiple home exchange inquiries with
very little effort on your part.
2. Every city/town/neighborhood has its attractions. Make
sure you include all the positive features about yours. If
your list is small, take a trip to your visitor's bureau and
ask for brochures, pamphlets, etc. If there is no visitor's
bureau, drop in on a local motel or hotel, all of them have
a display in their lobby containing all sorts of local
promotions.
3. Don't limit your contacts to members who list your corner
of the world as their desired home swap destination. Pay
more attention to age group and family size compatibility
and send your attractively worded contact email to everyone
living in the area you are hoping to visit. Members may have
never thought of vacationing in your town, but that doesn't
mean they won't consider it.
4. Pay particular attention to members who list their home
exchange destination as "open to offers". You will need to
sort the listings under that criteria when you are searching
for "who wants to come to me?" otherwise you will miss them,
but they are the true gems among your home swapping
opportunities. Very often they are long standing,
experienced home exchangers who have exhausted their lists
of preferred destinations. Now they are simply waiting to see
what new offer piques their interest and if you take the
trouble to send out attractive, well thought out opening
contacts, it could be yours!
5. You will make your home swap offer much more attractive
if you include the family car as part of the deal. Car
rental prices are becoming increasingly expensive by the
month, inflated not only by the rental companies but also by
a list of petty taxes and surcharges that are completely
beyond their control.
For your own peace of mind, always stipulate that all
drivers have to be 25+ and don't be afraid to regulate the
number of miles the car can be driven. Also, check with your
insurance company although there are seldom problems provided
the exchange is for 30 days or less.
6. Always, always be courteous and reply to every inquiry
you receive yourself. Also, when receiving home exchange
requests from other members, keep in mind point 3 above and
don't discount any destination until you are absolutely
certain that it won't work.
There are other cities in the UK besides London - although
some members seem to believe otherwise! Similarly, Troyes is
within very easy reach of Paris, Gosford is just up the
coast from Sydney and Burbank, Pasadena and Buena Park all
circle Los Angeles. Considering destinations outside of the
accepted tourist destinations will increase your chances of
locating and setting up a successful home exchange
substantially.
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