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Check-in I Our Guide

Make yourself at home: 7 tips for a successful home swap Home swapping is a great way to travel the world and enjoy your destination in the most authentic way - and at a lesser cost. So how do you do it? Here are a few practical tips for planning a safe and successful home swapping experience / By Lihi Ron

expectations must be managed; so, make sure you discuss rules, requirements, needs, and preferences ahead of time. Ask all the questions you may have, be specific about dates, number of people, cleaning, pet care, car use, etc. 05 Get your home ready. A home swap is the perfect opportunity for giving your home a thorough clean. Ensure bills have been taken care of and check that everything works. Prepare a detailed manual with instructions, Wi-Fi passwords, etc. 06 Insurance. This is such an important part of the process. Ensure both sides are adequately covered in case of any unexpected issues in either home. This will give you the peace of mind necessary to enjoy your holiday without any needless worry. 07 A little something extra. Leaving your home swapping partners a handwritten welcome note with personal recommendations of favorite cafés, or even a care package with a selection of typical foods, are two lovely ways of making them feel at home, and instantly motivated to care for your home as though it were their own.

01 Early and precise planning. To find the right match, start planning way ahead of your trip. To find a home that fits your requirements, check Facebook groups and home swapping platforms like homeexchange.org. 02 Verifying the other home-owner’s profile. Once you’ve found the right house, fully vet and verify the home’s owner and check the precise terms of the exchange agreement. Make sure the house fits your needs, such as number of rooms, location, proximity to public transport, parking, restaurants, attractions, etc., and

check if the owner has any specific rules and conditions. 03 Have a profile that inspires trust. Your own profile is also going to be probed and verified, so make sure you have one that’s convincing, and that inspires trust and approachability. Also, it’s important to add pictures and good quality video of your home and surrounding neighborhood. 04 Manage expectations. Communication between both parties needs to be based on

trust and understanding - and perhaps even more importantly,

10 ATMOSPHERE MAY 2025