Looking ahead to a summer break? Rather than booking a hotel or holiday rental, arranging a home Swap through Home Base Holidays will massively cut the cost of your post lockdown getaway and enable you to enjoy the space, comforts and safety of staying in a real home.
When adding your home Exchange offer, it’s important to include sufficient details that will accurately show your home at its best. Included below are a few tips to help make your home exchange holiday offer stand out.
1. Upload good quality photos
Home exchange offers with photos will always attract more interest than those without. Photos are the first thing people will see when they view your home exchange offer and so it’s important that you add photos that will accurately show your home at its best. Wider (landscape) photos usually look better than tall (portrait) images. Try to take photos at a time of day when your home gets the best light as dark, dingy photos can be a little off putting. Also make sure that before taking photos (and before going on an exchange!) you declutter your home - dirty clothes and towels scattered on an unmade bed is never the most welcoming first impression. Once you've uploaded your photos make sure to select a good default Photo as this will be the image that displays on the home swap search page (you probably don’t want this to be the photo of your toilet no matter how nice it is!)
2. Add a good description of your home
Seeing home swap offers with little or no description rarely inspires confidence and so it’s important to include a good description that accurately describes your home and facilities. You don't need to go over the top; a concise 300-500 word description is usually plenty to give a good feel for your home.
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You might want to include:
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3. Add details about your local area
It is really useful for other members if you include details about your home’s location. This will give your potential exchange partner an idea of the activities and attractions your neighbourhood can offer. Again, try to keep this concise but include things such as transport links, shops and restaurants local to you, good nearby walks and any top tips and recommendations from a local (you!).
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You might want to include:
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Tip: also include more detailed information about your area in a welcome folder that you leave for your exchange guest(s) when they arrive in your home.
4. Keep your listing up to date
Make sure that you regularly check your listing and update any details that may have changed. For example, if you’ve had any major renovations to your home, then update your home exchange offer's description and take some new photos to replace the old ones. Also, keep your destination wish list and your availability dates up-to-date so that other members can see where you want to swap to and when your home is available for swaps.
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Looking for a summer staycation? It's looking as if staycations will again be very popular option this year. If you are looking to arrange a staycation then make sure to include this information in your home exchange offer. Update your destination request to show that you are currently interested in swaps within your own country and update your availability calendar to show that you're looking for a home swap this summer. |
Useful links:
- Preparing for a home swap checklist
- Top 10: things to do at the end of a home swap
- Cleaning tips for holiday home swaps during COVID-19
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Home Base Holidays: start planning a summer swap Through Home Base Holidays you'll find everything from country cottages, city apartments, family homes ...even houseboats, castles, converted churches and yurts! Join Home Base Holidays for free and start planning your next getaway. View the latest home exchange holiday offers |
