Trading Spaces - House Swapping Tips

How to Make a House Swap Go Smoothly

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Dating Tips and Advice

Q: Dear April Masini,

I've decided to do a house swap on my next vacation. What are some of the things I should do to prepare my house for the person staying in it for a week?

Sincerely,

Home Borrower 

A:

Dear Home Borrower

Here are some things to remember when doing your house swap vacation:

* Insurance! Make sure you have the appropriate insurance. Don't guess. Have a professional assess your situation. If you don't, it could cost way more than the price of the premium. 

* Don't lie in representing your home. In fact, undersell it. It's much better to have people overly pleased with what they've got than disappointed. 

* Be specific before you agree. What do you want? What do you need? "How many working bathrooms?" is a different question than "How many bathrooms are in the house?". 

* If you leave it out, it may get broken. Put away anything of value that you will be disappointed about if it is broken while you're gone. 

* People will snoop. It's human nature. Don't leave your love letters, your taxes, your divorce settlement or your diary out and about unless you want it read. 

* Leave an organized letter about how to work things in the house, who to call for emergencies and where to food shop and get gas or the bus.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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