Maybe you don't contemplate it much now because we are still in the middle of the battle against Covid. But every day that passes there is less, and soon you will travel again and accumulate experiences.
By then, we are preparing and taking note of ideas. did you hear that can you exchange your house?
It is a mode that many travelers have already tried. The first time, nervous about the novelty. But there is consensus among users on this: the more you try it, the more interesting it seems this new way of traveling and discovering new places.
Want to know more?
Not only on vacation: exchanging your house can be an option for the whole year
Perhaps when you started to think about this idea of exchanging your house, you had in mind the holidays. I just want to tell you that is not the only possibility.
imagine that you would love to go live in a new city, in another country, but not permanently. A couple of months would be enough. Exchanging your house may be the solution.
Or maybe you are thinking of moving permanently, but first you would like to get to know the city up close. The best way is to live in it for a few weeks.
This is how you get in touch with everyday life, the people, the weather, shopping, the subway... They can tell you all of that, but there is no way to check it sittingu. Again: swap.
If you telecommute, then you already have a golden opportunity to travel while still fulfilling work.
And, of course, the holidays. Normally, people who resort to home exchange tend to coincide with the profile of travelers who escape from mass tourism and they value local expertise.
Also, you can have wide options. By going to another family's house, you can find one that is like yours. If they have children, there will be toys. Or they will allow you to travel with your dog, if they also have animals at home.
To learn about the experiences of others, I recommend that you visit the home exchange blog, one of the most used exchange platforms and so you start to get in touch to find out how this works.
Can you exchange your house safely? Yes, but not crazy
I confess: exchanging my house was one of my pre-pandemic plans. So I haven't tried it yet... but I've spent a lot of time researching how it works, and its pros and cons (there are plenty of them).
The exchange platforms put the parties in communication and fThey make understanding optimal.
In addition, collect the opinions of other users. They are usually very reliable, reading them counts a lot when making a decision.
In case there is a problem, you can report to the platform. However, before making your debut in the home exchange, I recommend that you read "the small print" well, to know what they will take care of and what not in case there is a problem.
The best guarantee of security in this type of collaborative platform is that all parties have a strong interest in making it work.
Whether you have to put yourself in the role of traveler or host, I am sure that you will do your best so that everything goes well. And the same the other part.
5 very basic tips for a good experience exchanging your house
Go to someone else's house (and the same when other people come to yours) it is a living experience which has nothing to do with other types of vacation rentals.
here you will find the personal seal of its owners everywhere: the shelves with books, the way of organizing the kitchen, the decoration details...
I have come to 5 very basic tips so that everything goes well:
1. Expose your needs
Make sure that the exchange you request fits what you need. In other words, don't even think of showing up with your dog if you haven't made sure beforehand that your destination is pet friendly.
Or ask for the car if you haven't agreed to it before. It is possible to do it, but communication must be very clear to avoid misunderstandings.
For example, in my current situation, I already have a couple of houses listed where there are children. Although of course I will bring my things, I will appreciate that they have a crib and that there are kitchen utensils to feed my little one.
2. Be flexible
The good disposition and the attitude to solve the little things, counts a lot for a happy ending. Always remember that it is not a hotel (for that you have other options).
Come on, if they notify you that there is a touched tap or that the door lock has a trick, take it naturally. Surely your house also has its "little things" (mine does, at least).
3. Make yourself at home
In every way, mainly for take care of it as if it were really yours. That it does not seem that Attila has passed by there.
From there, enjoy and take advantage of everything you can both the house and your hosts, if you agree with them.
4. My home, my rules
If they tell you that you can't smoke inside the house or that the pool is closed until a certain date or that after a certain time you can't make noise... It doesn't matter: complies with the house rules.
The neighbors are not to blame for you being on vacation. I have had a tourist apartment nearby and I know what you suffer when guests are not civilized.
5. Give thanks
What do you love that the others appreciate that you have worked hard so that they are comfortable? Well do the same. A nice note, a small surprise gift... create beautiful moments and you will leave a mark
And also, the owners will give you a good rating in case you decide to repeat the experience in another house and in another country.
And now, tell me, would you value exchange your house as an option to travel? What would attract you the most in this modality? You've done it already?
You see that I am thinking of doing it, so I would really like to know your opinion.