HOW NOT TO WRITE A HOME EXCHANGE OFFER

My first swap offer of 2009 was exceptional! Sadly, its specialness lay in the fact that it is the least appealing swap inquiry I have ever received.

No, the exchangers are not offering a cell in a maximum-security prison or an unrenovated formaldehyde-laced FEMA trailer in a flood zone. Or maybe they are. I am not sure, because the entire text of their swap offer reads as follows:

"Hi. We might want to go to [your town]."

You have heard the expression "Less is more"? In this case it isn't.

The sad thing is that I have visited the town on offer and found it quiet but quaint. I have never had another offer from this small village and would have been excited to receive this email, if only the swappers showed a wee bit more, well, something. What exactly? Not excitement or enthusiasm, necessarily. Salesmanship wouldn't be strictly necessary because their cute town could sell itself. But the ennui and inappropriate disinterest expressed in this swap offer leaves me cold.

I guess I'm reading a lot into a one sentence message. That's the point though, these folks couldn't be bothered to write more than a few careless words. I think I will just have to pass.

Don't give your potential swap partner a reason to reject your offer based solely on style. The formula is simple: a few words about why their home appeals to you, some ideas about why your home and town could be the right spot for their vacation, flexible suggestions about dates and length of exchange and a pleasant exhortation for the exchangers to respond yae or nay.

What is the best swap letter you received? We would love to see what appeals to you in an exchange offer.