November 11th, 2008 at 12:58pm
Under Uncategorized
Before going make sure you check all your paper work – many of the problems you might encounter while away can be resolved by spending 20 minutes a few days before departure checking everything is as you want. Things to look out for include who to contact on arrival, do you have maps, can you understand the directions, has everything you may have requested by confirmed?.
Take all the telephone numbers with you for the management company etc and bring the holiday confirmation and directions with you.
If you have changed your own numbers or will have a different telephone number whilst away let your Holiday home exchange partner know.
Take your own pool towels just in case as sometimes these are not supplied.
Pool heating is usually an additional extra when renting a villa. Have you asked for pool heating to be provided? If so has this been confirmed? If you have not requested or confirmed pool heating then you can have not have any comeback if you do not have it on arrival.
If possible book a car to allow you more freedom to explore the resort and surrounding areas.
A food pack on arrival will also help you to settle in particularly if you are arriving late at night. You can then relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine rather than having to find a supermarket etc. Many of our owners will have management companies happy to provide this service for a small fee.
If you have a complaint about a holiday home property, let the property owner, or their management company , know as soon as possible as they will do all they can to help. This will ensure that they are given every opportunity to put things right for you whilst you are still on holiday.
Select Exchange, www.selectexchange.co.uk, is a Holiday Home Exchange program specialising in destinations such as the Portugal, Spain, Italy and Cyprus and many many more.
By admin
November 10th, 2008 at 06:45pm
Under About Villa Exchange+ Save Money with Villa Exchange
• Ensure the property you want to exchange is adequately furnished – for example a master bedroom should have where possible a bed, two bedside tables, drawers mirrors etc. Also ensure there is enough seating (internally and externally for the number of people your property can sleep)
• Make sure your descriptions of the property are as accurate as possible.
• Leave plenty of clothes hangers in the bedrooms – there is nothing worse than not being able to hang up your nice holiday clothes!
• Keep your villa well stocked of homewares – as a minimum make sure you have enough cutlery, glasses, crockery etc for the number of people the holiday home sleeps. However it is recommended that you have extra as you guest may have visitors and of course day to day breakages can occur. As a rule of thumb having twice the amount needed. Also leave salt, pepper etc in the kitchen – it may not be appreciated but it will definitely be mentioned if it is not there.
• Leave clear instructions for your gadgets and machines – Again it will prevent unnecessary complaints and phone calls and will also help reduce the risk of damage.
• If you have a Private Pool – get a pool cover
• Replace sun cushions which have become worn and stained – they don’t have to be expensive but they should not be dirty.
• Supply Useful Telephone Numbers – restaurants, taxis, local information and include your own recommendations as people appreciate the personal touch.
• Use a property management company you can trust. – They are your representative on site as well as your eyes and ears, therefore they can make things so much better or so much worse – ask around when choosing who to use.
Select Exchange, www.SelectExchange.co.uk, is a villa exchange program which offers holiday home exchange opportunties in destinations such as the Portugal, Spain, Italy and Cyprus.
By admin
October 7th, 2008 at 07:48am
Under About Villa Exchange+ Save Money with Villa Exchange
The global economic crisis will have many people wondering how they will manage their holiday plans for next year. The sharp rises in fuel costs, coupled with the uncertainty in financial markets and inflationary pressures will mean people look to make cost savings where they can.
One area where people will want to make savings but without missing out altogether is on their holidays. A great way of reducing costs is home or villa exchange, where you swap homes or villas with another party. This cost effective holiday reduces obvious costs such as hotels and accommodation, whilst some parties may even be able to offer car swaps etc.
More and more people have also invested in second homes overseas and this scheme allows you to get even more value from these second properties by using them to see the world.
So how do you start:
Join an Exchange Scheme:
Firstly join an exchange scheme such as Select Exchange. Schemes vary in cost but $20-$50 would be fair. I would recommend joining more than one as it will give you increased opportunities.
List Your Property including photos:
When you have joined a scheme ensure that you list your property in as much detail as possible – people like information, the more you give the easier it will be for them to decide. Put on as many photos as you can – it may be a cliché but it is true “a picture paints a thousand words”.
Be Proactive:
Don’t just sit there – get out and contact owners. When you have joined a scheme don’t just sit there, go out and contact owners yourself letting people know you are interested in visiting their property. Remember though be polite and be friendly in your emails.
Think Ahead
A home exchange can take time plan ahead at least 6-9 months to give yourself the best opportunity to find what you want.
Be Flexible
A home or villa exchange can require you to be more flexible – do not confine your self with very restrictive dates – you have more chance of getting an exchange if you say you want something for July than saying you need something in the first week of July.
Offer Additional Benefits
If you have a car for example offer to include that (make sure it is adequately insured though). It you can offer discounted golf or golf access, include that as well. The same applies of ski passes etc.
Supply lots of relevant Local Information
Sell the benefits of your area. Identify the local attractions as well as the local shops and restaurants. Holiday makers want a full experience so the more you can offer them the happier they will be, and the more likely they are to want to exchange.
And finally the most important point is “Honesty is the Best Policy”. Keep this important point in mind in when villa exchanging.
By admin