Hey, cheap people! You, maybe? Saving money is not the main reason to swap homes. I don't like to exchange with people who are so focused on avoiding travel costs that they cut important corners. Like the folks heading here in January to use my home. I am in the process of trying to avert a home exchange disaster with people who are either cheapskates or way too adventurous.
Here's what happened. A couple from a very attractive area of Europe asked to do a non-simultaneous swap. They had already purchased their air tickets so their dates were inflexible. This is never a good sign but I agreed to the exchange. However, I use my apartment on days my children attend school, so I had to ask the swappers to begin their stay one day later than they wished. Their flight was getting in late at night. Could they stay at a hotel for one night? I would welcome them the following day.
Sure! No problem!! Home exchange confirmed!!!
They are due here within two weeks. We were discussing how to meet and I casually inquired about which hotel they had reserved for that first night. Their answer horrified me and may just sink this exchange....
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WHO WANTS TO SWAP HOMES?
My place was Home Exchange Central today. First, swappers who are using our second home stopped by. I had arranged Broadway theater tickets for them and needed to give them the voucher. They say they are having a wonderful vacation at our place, and they brought enough warm clothing from their temperate West Coast home to deal with the foot or more of snow currently falling on New York City.
Later in the afternoon, a home exchange friend stopped by for a hair cut. Not from me, but courtesy of a former employee of a trendy salon who now makes house calls. I was amazed that he showed up in the blizzard. While he cut my kids' hair, his wife and I chatted. She was eager to swap homes, had been for some time, but didn't know where to start.
Bravely putting modesty aside I suggested she check out the archives of this blog. She is a doctor of acupuncture. I was not surprised that someone who was open-minded about something Americans view as "alternative medicine" was also so interested in home exchange.
There are a lot of people out there just like the acupuncturist. The concept of home exchange instantly made sense to them, but they aren't sure how to get started. I am going to scour my blog archives for some recommended newbie reading.
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Later in the afternoon, a home exchange friend stopped by for a hair cut. Not from me, but courtesy of a former employee of a trendy salon who now makes house calls. I was amazed that he showed up in the blizzard. While he cut my kids' hair, his wife and I chatted. She was eager to swap homes, had been for some time, but didn't know where to start.
Bravely putting modesty aside I suggested she check out the archives of this blog. She is a doctor of acupuncture. I was not surprised that someone who was open-minded about something Americans view as "alternative medicine" was also so interested in home exchange.
There are a lot of people out there just like the acupuncturist. The concept of home exchange instantly made sense to them, but they aren't sure how to get started. I am going to scour my blog archives for some recommended newbie reading.
SUBSCRIBE NOW You can subscribe to this blog to receive each day's post. Just enter your email below :
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