Getting Comfortable with Trading Houses

Entrusting Your Home to Strangers

Overview

So you want to trade houses but are somewhat apprehensive about entrusting your home to strangers found via the Internet.

"What if they steal our valuables? What if they break something? What if they leave our home a mess?"

In all our years involved with home exchanging we've never had a reported theft and have only had a few reports of damage.

If you speak to experienced home exchangers, you often hear them say "we've traded houses over a dozen times and have never had a bad experience".

The idea that someone would travel across the country to steal your television set is highly unlikely. After all, you know where they live! But yes, accidents happen and someone may unintentionally break that sentimental wedding gift china.

So other than taking a leap of faith, how do you get comfortable with the concept of trading house?

Experienced home exchangers will tell you that the reciprocity of the deal is all the reassurance they need. But if you are new to home exchanging you may not find that sufficiently re-assuring.

So we've compiled a list of common sense tips to help ensure that your house trading holiday is a positive experience.

Trade Properties: Tips 1 - 5

1. Get to know the family you will be exchanging with before committing. Communicate extensively via e-mail and telephone.

If you considering a long term property exchange, 6 months or more, you may want to invite the other family to visit for a few days.

2. Ask for references. You can e-mail the references but it is probably best to call.

3. Validate that the information you receive is accurate. The Internet provides an easy and accessible medium for you to validate basic information. For example, you can easily verify a person's address.

Here's a list of some popular white pages:

• White Pages USA and Canada
• White Pages Australia
• UK White Pages
• White Pages Europe

4. Let your insurance company know. Your insurance company may have some specific requirements such as the need to see a copy of your guest's driver's license.

Your homeowner's policy likely covers accidental damage caused by guests. In some cases, your insurer may request an additional fee - especially if it is a long term exchange. It is best to check with your insurer about the specifics of your contract.

Many property exchanges include the use of a car, and your insurer will usually cover accidents. If your policy does not cover a third party using your automobile, you may be able to add this coverage. All policies are different and vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Most policies are subject to some type of restriction and limits. If the damage resulting from an accident exceeds those caps then you may be responsible for the excess. There may also be legal costs to consider. If you are planning to exchange your car, it is best to call your insurer to discuss the details.

5. Try to meet the family you will be exchanging with. For example, you may want to welcome them and spend a few days together in your home before leaving to stay in theirs.

Part of what makes trading homes unique is the opportunity to build relationships that you may not normally establish with a conventional holiday.

You'll often hear home exchangers talk about how they've made some great friends via a home trading holiday or how they wished they had had an opportunity to meet the people they were swapping with.

Trade Properties: Tips 6 - 11

6. If you cannot meet, have a family member, friend, or neighbour pick them up at the airport. This provides for a local contact who they have already met in case something goes wrong.

7. Have the family member, friend, or neighbour drop by occasionally (once a week is acceptable) to see how your guests are getting along. This is yet another opportunity to make sure all is well. You can also arrange for friends to take them out one night.

8. Exchange your housekeeper, especially if this is a trusted person. This allows you to have someone visit the entire house and ensure that all is well. It also has the added benefit of finding your home in the same state of cleanliness that you are accustomed to.

9. If you're uncomfortable leaving fragile belongings out, place them in an closet or cabinet that you can lock. Frequent home exchangers have learned that a note on the cupboard that says something like Please don't use these glasses is usually good enough.

10. Use e-mail and the telephone to stay in touch while you are away.

11. If you really feel there is a need, you can draw up a contract detailing who covers damages. But keep in mind that it may not be worth the time/effort/money to chase someone in Australia for $300 if you are living in the US.

And don't forget, while they're staying in your house, you're staying in theirs. They likely have the same concerns about their home as you have about yours.