When was the last time you updated your home exchange listing? If you are like most people the answer is "never". Stale travel dates or obviously out-of-date info ("We would love to travel to Washington, DC for President Obama's first inauguration!") are a sure-fire way to scare off possible swap offers.
We update our requested travel dates at least quarterly and add new information to our listing as it becomes available.
Recently I edited my home exchange club listing to note the following changes to what we offer:
1) Free long distance calling to North America and Europe
2) Free climate-controlled indoor valet parking (normally $50+ per day in midtown Manhattan)
3) Fastest-available wireless internet access throughout our home
4) Automatic cat food feeder and self-cleaning litter box
Couch potatoes, the cat-averse, web addicts, weekend exchangers who plan to drive here, and those with friends in Europe may find our listing that much more tempting now that we have added these amenities. What does your home have to offer?
And what should you spotlight about your home's amenities? In our case we are trying to find folks within a few hours drive of here who want to swap for a long weekend. Considering that I am seeking local exchangers I thought the free indoor parking lure was important enough to put right in our listing's headline. Parking costs a fortune in Manhattan. It's enough to make the difference between someone choosing our home or another property which offers only risky street parking or a costly commercial parking lot.
Who are you trying to swap with? What special treats can you offer your exchange partners? Don't hide your home's attractions. When you are trying to get a home exchange, modesty about your living quarters is not helpful.
Is it time to jazz up your exchange listing? My guess is yes.
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