Credit Crunch holiday idea
Posted by Jilly Bowen on Fri 14th November 2008 at 02:11 AM, Filed in Travel Tips
Where would you like to go for your holiday next year? Back to somewhere you have been to before or how about a different far flung destination?
‘Are you barking mad or what!!!!!’ I here you say. ‘Don’t you read the news you stupid woman, don’t you realise it looks as though we are heading for a world wide recession!’
Of course I do. But hey, what if you can scrape up the air fair, or just want a change of scenery in your own country, plus are prepared to self cater would that make a difference?
What am I suggesting in these tough times?
The concept of Holiday Home swapping.
How does this work?
You join one of the companies who promote this service…..they are relatively cheap to join – honest, how does from £29.00 sound? This wont break the bank and the world then becomes your oyster. Look on line for companies who offer this service and check out what each one has to offer, the price you pay differs but as always you get what you pay for.
You take pictures of you house , and post them (with location) and with a description of your property……for example…good sized detached property in centre of village, surrounded by hills and fields…..Edwardian house with good garden, has TV, DVD, CD…..top floor flat in Putney, convenient position, 2 bedrooms, TV, DVD….
Add the dates you are wanting to swop, with destination, or ‘open to offers’ say, in Europe or another area – or indeed world wide…how many people are in your party
Your house maybe a totally different size to the one you are looking for when going away
Do realize that everyone will have the same concerns as you…after all no one wants to come to find there pride and joy has been wrecked. Get to know your potential ‘swappers’ by email, phone so by the time strike the deal you feel confident that you actually know them.
If you don’t want smokers in your home make this known in your details, if you require special access – say for wheelchairs, again make this clear.
Don’t worry if you don’t live in a tourist area….outline how far the nearest places of interest are for where you live (you may even find out things about you area while doing this that will surprise you)
You pick up the ‘tab’ for bills – but arrange to have a different phone for the period.
Do inform your insurance company…..most companies would be prefer to have a house occupied than left empty for a couple of weeks, but check this out.
Ensure that a good neighbour is on hand to hand out keys, and generally keep an eye on your ‘guests’.
If you have items that are precious it may be worth giving them to a friend for them to look after….you don’t want your precious ‘Ming’ broken.
Some house swap ‘guests’ will also look after you beloved moggie, but dogs are a different matter as they need walking and most guests will want total freedom to come and go.
Car’s can also be swapped too – but check with your insurer.
Do ensure your home is clean before you leave……you wouldn’t want to stay in a pigsty and neither will anyone else. The ‘rule’ is leave the house after the holiday as you found it! You don’t have to clean the windows before you go home, or totally spring clean, but dusting, vacuuming, cleaning bathroom and kitchen to a good standard is expected……if you don’t want to do this yourself ask a neighbour for the name of a local house cleaning company….or better still leave some names in you house that people can use – at their expense.
Quite often these exchanges form the basis for lasting friendships.
Don’t be tempted to go for some of the ‘free’ houses swap sites, if you pay for the service you get better package and advice, a superior ‘type’ of house, more discriminating ‘swoppers’
A few tips;
If you are looking to offer you car, give full details…is it manual or automatic
Look to exchange with people in similar circumstances to your own. If you have kids look for families that have all the bits you will need – cots, high chairs etc. Maybe you are an older person and no way do want children running riot in you home.
Provide details of transport link
Do leave information, such as tourist maps, good places to eat, emergency numbers for dentists, plumbers etc. Info on how things work in your home; heating, TV and other appliances.
Draw up an agreement such as who will pay for what it things get damaged, the maximum mileage your car can be used for.
Lock away important confidential information.
If you have done house swapping please let us have your stories
This entry has been viewed 54 times.
READER COMMENTS:
No comments yet.
