How to ready your home
When your guest arrives, you want them to feel good about the visit. Remember, first impressions make a difference. Everyone enjoys different things so preparing your house will really be up to you. The following are suggestions that we find useful for both you and your guest.
-
Cleaning and tiding up your home are essential for getting your house ready for the exchange. We are confident that when you arrive at a location you would like and expect the same. In good home exchange etiquette the visiting party is to leave the home in the same condition as when they arrived. You might consider getting a professional cleaner before the exchange. Some people that home exchange prefer arranging a professional cleaner to also come when they are leaving a property - this is especially convenient if they have to leave early in the morning and may not have time to clean the property. You might want to make this option (the visiting party pays) available.
-
Lock away valuables and fragile items. It will give you peace of mind and also make your guests feel at ease when in your home. Remember that accidents can happen, avoid a problem and put away items that are easily breakable.
-
Kitchens are important as having one is a real advantage while on vacation. Prepare your refrigerator, remove any leftovers and consider leaving a few fresh items for your guests: juice, milk, bread, butter and eggs are always welcomed. Your exchange partners will appreciate your efforts. For you cupboards it is not necessary to clear them out. Leaving some key cooking ingredients (e.g. sugar, flour, oil and spices) in your kitchen is an added convenience for your guests. If you can’t remove items you don’t want others to use leave a note telling them what should not be touched. When possible, especially for longer time exchanges clear out adequate space in your cabinets and refrigerator for your guests to use.
-
Bedrooms and Bathrooms should have plenty of linen (sheets and towels) clean and available. Leave a note where extras, if necessary can be found. Like in the kitchen, it is nice if you make some space available for your guests to use in your drawers, cabinets and wardrobes, they will appreciate it. Perfectly acceptable to leave shampoos and conditioners for guests to use.
-
Prepare an easy to use Household Guide. This will aim to answer all the questions that might come thus making your guests feel comfortable and avoid unnecessary phone calls or emails. Things to include:
Emergency Services Phone numbers
Household Issues Phone number (lost key?)
Phone rules (are local calls free and available?)
WIFI (internet) instructions and passcodes
Include appliances’ manuals
How to work the TV / Stereo / DVD
(this can be a nightmare!)
Instructions for a BBQ, hot tub, fireplace etc.
Instructions for Garbage / Recycling
Remember that you use all of the above on a regular basis. Your guests will not be familiar with your home or neighbourhood, thus this Household Guide will be of great assistance.
-
Preparing a Neighbourhood Guide or folder with local shops, restaurants, attractions, museums, theatres and other things to do. A map is always handy. Information on transportation and local car parking will often be very helpful for your guests. If you have any local travel books or guides, leave them in a convenient and obvious location.
-
Keys and maybe security codes for alarms will be needed to enter your home. Communicate with your guests on how they will get access to your home. Will you leave keys with a neighbor? Can you send them in advance? Or maybe you have a property management company that can handle the transfer of keys for you.
Your guests are expecting to arrive in a real home. Keeping your family photos out or having books and magazines on tables is perfectly natural in most homes. Replacing what you use is expected when trading homes in an exchange. This means to replace consumables in a reasonable fashion. If you use a cup of sugar you are not expected to replace it with a kilo bag, likewise if using laundry soap for a couple loads of wash there is no need to replace. If you use all their coffee, please aim to replace with a similar brand before leaving.
The best rule here is to treat others as you would like to be treated.
If you want to impress your guests, leave them a few little surprises; maybe fresh flowers in the house, a bottle of wine in the refrigerator, local foods, or maybe even a small gift from your region. Make preparing your home fun. Referrals and positive comments will certainly come when you put in the extra effort in making your guests feel special.
