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RENTALS:HELP & INFORMATION>FAQ ABOUT SWAPPING

Q. Why should I choose Villa Vacations?
Q. What is a home exchange?
Q. What are the advantages of home exchanging?
Q. What can I expect my typical first home exchange to be like?
Q. Is home exchanging for me?
Q. What does it cost to list my property?
Q. How many exchanges a year can I make?
Q. What types of homes are available?
Q. How do I find a vacation exchange for me?
Q. What do I do if someone is interested in my property?
Q. How can I find out how times my page has been visited?
Q. How can I attract more interest?
Q. Can I arrange to have photos on my site?
Q. What type of photos can they be?
Q. Is it safe to let a stranger into my home?
Q. Do I need a computer?
Q. Would anyone want my humble abode?
Q. Why do you not offer a printed directory?
Q. What about electricity bills and the like?

Why should I choose Villa Vacations?

We think that the internet is the ideal medium for home exchanging with the wealth of information that can be offered. As an internet based holiday exchange company we believe that the facilities that we are offering are the best value for money on offer. Check us out and decide for yourself.

What is a home exchange?

Home exchanging in it's most common form is just what it says. You stay in someone else's home while they stay in yours.

What are the advantages of home exchanging?

There are plenty of reasons to exchange homes for a vacation. Amongst these are:-

  • Savings. A rental villa/apartment or a good hotel room doesn't come cheap, especially if a family is involved. The benefits of free accommodation also comes with lots more space and flexibility.
  • The Local Community. By living in an area which is usually not part of the usual tourist hotels you get the chance to meet real locals. You will often get to meet friends and neighbours of your exchange partner who will let you know the best places to go, see, eat etc.
  • Comforts of Home. The benefits of having washing machines, TV, video recorders, music, games, fridges are not to be overlooked. Few hotels offer so wide a range of facilities and although rented villas might, you would seldom find a selection of videos and music available. Some houses even come with their own private pools.

What can I expect my typical first home exchange to be like?

After overcoming the nervousness of that first exchange most home exchangers find that it as the best holiday they ever had and often become hooked on the concept. The exchangers often become friends, corresponding and exchanging details of other holiday swaps.
There is a very high percentage of exchangers who continue exchanging year after year.

Is home exchanging for me?

Not everyone is suited to home exchanging. If you are the type of person who need a holiday rep to tell them when to eat breakfast, where the local bus stop is and how to enjoy themselves then it probably is not for you. Your typical home exchanger is fairly self reliant.

What does it cost to list my home?

  • Full members pay 15 UK pounds or 25 US dollars. Benefits include
    • Up to four color photos with your listing.
    • Links to maps of your area.
    • Hyperlink to any home page you might have.
    • Ability to add any second or third homes/timeshares you might have.
    • Full participation in our forum of comments.
    • Participation in our auto search system where we store your preferences and notify you of any new suitable homes as the become available.

How many exchanges a year can I arrange?

As many as you like.

What types of homes are available?

All sorts is the answer. From mansions to timeshare apartments to caravans to yachts. Anything that can be lived in can be exchanged. Do a search and look for yourself out.

How do I find a vacation exchange for me?

Use our search facility to find a suitable property. Then click on the 'CONTACT ME' button (Full Members only). This will notify the other member of your interest. If they like the look of your property they will contact you.

What do I do if someone is interested in my property?

If you receive an email this will contain a reference to the other users property. Have a look at it and if you like it then just get in touch and get going.

How can I find out how times my page has been visited?

At the bottom of each page is a hit counter. It tracks the number of times your page has been accessed or viewed (Full Members Only) by someone. That number doesn't mean different people have viewed it, but rather it has been viewed that many times in total.

How can I attract more people to my listing?

There are two ways. The first is to be as flexible as possible in where you are looking to go and when you can travel. Try to be open to suggestions as to where to travel. The second is to personalize your listing with photos of your home and/or family.

Can I arrange to have photos on my listing?

Yes, if you are a subscribing member you may include up to four color photos as part of your membership for each property. If you don't have access to a scanner you can send the photos to us and we will include them for you free of. You need to include an addressed envelope if you want us to return these.

What type of photos can they be?

Whatever you like - family, house, views or interior. We would suggest that the main photo is either the outside of a house or inside of an apartment or a view if that is best suited.

If you are uploading these yourself they will need to be in either jpeg or gif format.

Is it safe to let a stranger into my home?

What is a stranger?. A stranger is often a friend that you just haven't met yet. There is seldom a problem between exchangers. Most exchangers look after their exchange homes better than their own. And as most members are professional people with high standards there is little to worry about. Remember that they are letting you into their own home. Get your friends and neighbours to meet them and look in on them and and make them feel part of the local neighbourhood. Another benefit is that by having your house occupied there is less chance of break ins easing worries many of us have when we leave our house unattended.

Do I need a computer?

would certainly help though it isn't necessary. You will need to have access initially to enter your property details. Possible places are either at work, through a friend, at a cybercafe or possibly at the local library.

There is an option to allow other members to contact you by telephone but without access you will not be able to browse easily.

Would anyone want my humble abode?

You might be surprised. Most people are looking for a base and as such location is often more important.

Why do you not offer a printed directory?

We believe that in a few years whether it be 5, 10 or 15 that directory based services for home exchanges will disappear. The cost of providing the service and the limited information that is available cannot compete with the service we offer. The immediacy of access to new and changed information cannot be matched as most directories are only printed several times a year.

What about electricity bills and the like?

Normal household bills such as water, gas, insurance, electricity, local taxes are usually paid for by the owner. Telephone bills and any damages should be paid for by the member visiting.

Make sure you agree in advance on this and as to how telephone calls will be paid for.

 
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