The handy home exchanger usually sticks to two rules: sell
yourself and don't save yourself the trouble.
The first rule means that you present your house, region and
country in a positive and attractive way. Don't hesitate
to make some good publicity. Even if Belgium (B) is not listed
as a desired destination, you can still try to convince the HomeLink
members it is worth visiting. After all, Belgium has a lot to
offer: a rich culture, a big range of landscapes, an extensive
network of public transport and an ideal location for a visit
to Europe. Don't hesitate to contact as many people as you can.
Start right away!
Lose no time! Work efficient and use all means of communication:
fax, telephone or e-mail or grab pen and paper. In attachment
you will find a letter that can be used as an example to help
you writing yours.
Together with some of our most experienced house swappers we
sum up a few extra tips.
- Add photographs of your house and family to your letters and
perhaps even some tourist information.
- If someone proposes you to swap houses, don't hesitate too long.
Don't exaggerate your criteria, but make sure there is a minimum
of wishes granted, otherwise you will not feel comfortable afterwards.
- Once a decision is made, you can start making clear agreements.
Be flexible in this. Once an exchange has become definitive, it
will be a necessity and an obligation to stick to your agreement,
even if you get a more interesting offer afterwards.
Concrete agreements may be:
Where and when will you meet?
Tip: meeting each other is practical to point out a few extra
things. Bear in mind that during a first contact both parties
may be a bit ill at ease. This first impression is not completely
just: both exchange partners are a bit stressed due to the
cleaning and packing and because of the unfamiliar destination.
Meeting each other after the holiday creates a new friendship:
you are relaxed; there is a lot to talk about. Experience
makes you wise
Where to put the house keys? Neighbours or family can help.
Sometimes registered mail is a solution.
The fridge can be emptied and refilled at departure.
Foreign telephone calls will be charged afterwards. Don't
forget to leave your 'new' telephone number with friends and
family.
If you exchange cars, be clear about the insurances. Use the
'Car
Exchange Agreement Form' and ask your insurance agent for
a temporary extension of your insurance to full risk insurance.
Provide the manual for electronic devices. Don't forget to
explain the functioning of the alarm. Perhaps a dictionary can
be of use.
Make a tour around your house and compose a list with the
things that need to be attended. Don't forget the garden,
plants, pets and the keys/numbers of bicycle locks.
Don't forget to mention the national holidays e.g. July 21st
and August 15th.
Agree to make up the bed(s) so that you and your exchange
partner won't have to take care of this after a long journey.
Kindly insist to leave the house neat and clean, and do so yourself.
Don't forget to provide cleaning products.
For each individual exchange, there are probably more agreements
that can be made.
Useful tips and information
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