Home Truths

A house-swap is not as easy as it sounds, says Edel Morgan

LAST WEEK I saw an item on house-swapping on TV3's TVAM, which appears to be an inexpensive way to see another country and experience the local culture. You find an exchange partner through a house exchange agency (there are quite a few online and most charge a fee) and swap homes for an agreed period (not necessarily simultaneously) so both parties are spared the expense of hotels and have a more "authentic" experience.

Some exchange websites assure you that it's not the property it's the location that's important and it's not unknown for people to swap a one-bedroom flat for a plush beachfront mansion. But what if the location is Decidedly, Averageville, miles from the nearest bustling metropolis or scenic hotspot? Well then according to one website you should "try to see your region through the eyes of a tourist" i.e. talk it up for all it's worth. This involves summoning your inner estate agent and using every amenity, and historical and cultural landmark within a five-mile radius to your advantage.

One family from Florida was looking to swap their fabulous five-bed house with ub (use of a boat), nearby bs (babysitter) for two weeks in June. It got me thinking how I could strategically tweak the description of my own semi-d to entice them to north Dublin. Perhaps : "Pied-à-terre on the edge of Dublin city centre (the far edge) with ub (use of a bus ...for a small fee) and minutes from an unforgettable shopping experience (Artaine (sic) Castle shopping centre)".

This throws up an ethical dilemma about luring those poor Floridians over under partly false pretences - but according to one website house swapping works best for those with "flexibility, a spirit of adventure and willingness to try new experiences", so really I would be doing them a favour.

A questionnaire I came across on www.frugalfun.com advises if you're a worry wart and don't like suprises you're better off in a hotel. The process is based on trust so if you are considering putting a padlock on the freezer so they can't get at your comestibles, (and I know of someone who did this) or are going to spend your tie fretting that they're destroying your home or, worse, laughing at it, then perhaps it isn't for you.

Then there's the preparation involved. One colleague who exchanged with a Canadian family toiled for several weeks getting her house ready, even putting her dog in kennels. When she returned their first remark was "You've got a dog, eh?" She felt she couldn't compete with their super-efficient set-up, where videos were left to show her and her family how to use appliances and look after the swimming pool.

If you decide to go for it, it can be difficult to find an exchange partner in your destination of choice who can travel to Ireland on the same dates. Your "desirability" might be further limited if you're a smoker, have pets that need to be taken care of or those other home-wreckers in tow... children. Apparently the people who do best are flexible about dates and destination. When you find an exchange partner, the advice is establish a rapport with them by e-mail, discuss mutual expectations, draw up an exchange agreement and check if you're covered under your home insurance policy. Then read up on the etiquette. Gazumping (i.e. agreeing to swap and then accepting a better offer) is considered a major transgression. Swappers expect to arrive at a clean house with an information booklet with details of local attractions, bin collections and emergency numbers. Etiquette requires you leave a property clean and to own up if you break something. And remember if you're tempted to break the rules, the neighbours are watching.