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I heard this week from a somewhat disgruntled member from the US who had returned recently from an exchange with a family in the UK. He was delighted with the home he and his family had exchanged with, but he had been horrified when he climbed into the exchange car and discovered it was equipped with a stick shift.

My first question was: hadn’t he asked for full details about the car during discussions leading up to agreeing upon a home exchange? Also, hadn’t his exchange partner thought to include such pertinent information when he supplied his home exchange details?

It transpired that both parties had supplied very little information other than the size of the homes being offered, so in the circumstances it was a miracle that apart from the car, their home swap experiences passed without any more significant glitches or problems.

It really is critical that everything is discussed right down to the most minute detail before finally agreeing to go forward with a home exchange. Discussion is a pillar supporting the wntire arrangement. ExchangeHomes.com offers a Hints and Advice Book which can be both read online or downloaded via a PDF file, and only recently I gave an in depth review of an excellent new guide that I endorse wholeheartedly: Home Exchange Academy.

Both books walk you through the entire process of selecting and setting up a successful home exchange and both emphasize the need for in depth discussions. Home Exchange Academy supplies its readers with really excellent sample Home Exchange and Car Exchange Agreements and a great template for your Home Exchange Book – the document all exchangers should assemble to familiarize exchange partners both present and future with their home, its foibles and its surroundings and neighborhood.

Over the years (we began in 1986), I think I can fairly say that 99% of the home swapping problems we’ve heard about would never have occurred had the proper discussions taken place during the initial stages. Everyday items that seem small and insignificant to you may be a major problem for your visitor.

You may be used to your four storey home with some bedrooms at the very top; others could view that as a huge impediment. Your flat located in a busy street with a restaurant below it may be ideal for your lifestyle; others may hate lying in bed listening to late night diners leaving. You drive your stick-shift car day in and day out and never stop to visualize someone used to nothing but automatics trying to drive it.

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