Property Swapping is easier than you think
We have created this this section of sellitswapitbuyit.com to allow people to explore a new way to save money on holidays or owning a property and saving tens of thousands of dollars on commissions, management and marketing fees.
What is swapping a property?
It’s when two property owners are willing to swap or exchange their property, be it for:
- for a holiday, maybe for a weekend, a week, a month or a year
- getting to know a new location by experiencing it before moving permanently
- trying out a sea move, tree move, a farm move or even city move
- a permanent move for a new life in a different place
- preserving the value of your property with an equal value swap
Why Property Swap?
Holiday Swaps
More and more people each day are considering swapping their property as it can be a quicker, more convenient and less costly way to have a holiday in a place they dream of but can’t afford or want to try somewhere new or even when transferred for work.
Obviously for holidays and short term visits (for work or pleasure) to a new location you get the benefits of a home away from home, agreement to look after each other’s property just as you care for your own, maybe even pet sitting your prized pooch or fury feline.
Forget busy hotels, tourist traps and noisy crowds, just choose and agree the best dates and times and go.
Of course you will save on agents or management fees and boarding kennels and get firsthand experience and information on the local transport what to see where to visit and when special events are happening at or near your chosen destination.
Remember at all times when exchanging whether short/long term or permanent both you and your exchange partner are entrusting your homes to one another, this means you will both equally have the same questions and concerns about how secure it is to swap and a seamless and successful exchange.
The number one rule to make sure everything goes smoothly is to base your property swap on honesty, respect and clear and open communication.
How it works
You register and make your own online listing to swap at the Free Aussie online service https://sellitswapitbuyit.com using our easy to fill listing form. When someone views and is interested in your listing for a property swap they fill in an enquiry note which is sent directly to your email inbox for your personal attention and one on one communications.
This not only saves you paying for agent’s commission or managers fee’s, but also allows you to strike the deal direct with other owners on terms and dates you both agree on.
Before accepting any exchange, we recommend you arrange a phone call or a Skype video call to get to know each other and a video tour so you feel comfortable this is the right swap for you. You both may consider providing a police check to allay any security concerns you may have.
We are not a letting agent or property management company and do not seek or ask for any commission or payment. Sellitswapitbuyit provides zero cost Property Profile listings for you to present your property to swap as a property owner.
SO WHAT NEXT?
Make room
One of the real perks of home swapping is all that lovely space compared to the standard hotel or motel room or a cramped caravan, so make sure your swappers are going to feel the benefit!
Make some space in drawers, wardrobes and kitchen cupboards so your guests can spread out relax and enjoy your home.
Lock up or move out
If you have valuables you want to keep hidden away, either securely lock them up somewhere at home where you know they'll be safe or move them out temporarily to a friend's or family members.
Enlist some help
If you aren't going to be there to meet your guest, try to make sure you have someone they can contact in your street, town or city, just in case.
This is also a really helpful resource for exchanging keys if you don’t have a mini key safe with a combination.
Get scrubbing
No one wants to be welcomed to a new town or country and dirty toilet or sink full of dishes. So we recommend chatting through cleaning before your swap so expectations are set early.
Some swappers get professionals in, but you can save money and give your home a good spring clean which should more than suffice. Leave cleaning products and laundry detergent.
Stock up
If you've agreed no food included in your swap, of course this isn't needed - but most home swappers like to include some essentials in case shops are far away or closed on your swapper’s arrival.
Even if it's just bread, milk, tea and coffee it's nice to come 'home from home' and having the basics there - especially if your guests have had a long journey.
Leave a guide
How your home works may be second nature to you, but for others it might take a little getting used to. It's good to leave a little guide to your home for your visitors, include:
- Wi-Fi password, you can change it on returning home
- how to use the: TV/ entertainment system
- shower, air con or central heating, household appliances and fancy gadgets
- when the garbage is taken out
- local parking rules
- guidelines for taking care of the house and pets if they are remaining at home
- List of numbers, doctor, vet, emergency services etc.
Make a plan for keys
One of the first things most swappers wonder is how they'll swap keys.
Discuss your key options with your swapper, while most leave keys with a neighbour, friend or family member to deliver upon arrival, others securely courier a spare set ahead of time. Alternatively store them in a secure locker for collection, and don't leave them under the mat!
Add in your local tips
Most love home Swaps for a more local feel on vacation - so your local knowledge will be happily welcomed. Local information you could consider sharing in your guide should include:
One of the first things most swappers wonder is how they'll swap keys.
Discuss your key options with your swapper, while most leave keys with a neighbour, friend or family member to deliver upon arrival, others securely courier a spare set ahead of time. Alternatively store them in a secure locker for collection, and don't leave them under the mat!
Add in your local tips
Most love home Swaps for a more local feel on vacation - so your local knowledge will be happily welcomed. Local information you could consider sharing in your guide should include:
- Local transport information
- Maps and/or guidelines on accessing local amenities
- Guide pamphlets to attractions you know might be of interest
- Your favourite cafés, bars, restaurants etc.
- A reliable taxi service
- Numbers for cleaning, babysitting and other helpful services
Let the neighbours know
Without any knowledge of what you're doing, your neighbours could be alarmed if they start seeing strangers entering your home while you're away.
You don't need to shout it out to the whole street but having a word with your immediate neighbours and maybe the local police station can be a good idea.
In most cases you'll have a friend or neighbour who can help out your guest if needed, so make sure your swapper knows who this is pre-swap and leave their details in your guide.
Set guidelines
You both need to know what's allowed and what isn't. Some swappers might be more than happy to share their car but would rather you didn't touch the family piano.
Plenty of communication will ensure your wine cellar remains unexplored your computer and bikes unused if you wish. You can also include a helpful reminder of this to guests in the guide you leave them.
Remember - if you don't tell them it's off-limits there's no way they can know, so be up-front about your do's and don'ts.
Don't leave it lying
While we believe but can’t guarantee the integrity of swappers, it's still wise to make sure you're not putting yourself or your insurance policy at risk.
Valuable items you wouldn't want to risk being stolen, broken or damaged should be locked away or moved from the property pre-swap as a precaution.
For items you can't so easily move, like that pristine, stain-free white sofa, you can discuss a security deposit to ensure any damage incurred during your swap is covered. It is also wise to get in touch with your home and contents insurers (if you have them) and check where they stand on home exchange.
Set expectations
The home swapper community is a very intelligent one, but we're yet to come across a single one who can read minds. If you expect all towels and linen to be washed and put back in place at the end of a swap, you need to make that known to your guests.
It's good to agree on house-keeping things pre-swap so everyone can come back to their home just as they expect it.
Special occasions
Many people travel for special occasions too, so it's worth chatting about your guests reason for travelling (as well as your own), especially if you're the type of person who likes to go above and beyond for others. Think about leaving guests a bottle of wine or baskets of goodies to welcome their guests.
Top 11 Checklist
Without any knowledge of what you're doing, your neighbours could be alarmed if they start seeing strangers entering your home while you're away.
You don't need to shout it out to the whole street but having a word with your immediate neighbours and maybe the local police station can be a good idea.
In most cases you'll have a friend or neighbour who can help out your guest if needed, so make sure your swapper knows who this is pre-swap and leave their details in your guide.
Set guidelines
You both need to know what's allowed and what isn't. Some swappers might be more than happy to share their car but would rather you didn't touch the family piano.
Plenty of communication will ensure your wine cellar remains unexplored your computer and bikes unused if you wish. You can also include a helpful reminder of this to guests in the guide you leave them.
Remember - if you don't tell them it's off-limits there's no way they can know, so be up-front about your do's and don'ts.
Don't leave it lying
While we believe but can’t guarantee the integrity of swappers, it's still wise to make sure you're not putting yourself or your insurance policy at risk.
Valuable items you wouldn't want to risk being stolen, broken or damaged should be locked away or moved from the property pre-swap as a precaution.
For items you can't so easily move, like that pristine, stain-free white sofa, you can discuss a security deposit to ensure any damage incurred during your swap is covered. It is also wise to get in touch with your home and contents insurers (if you have them) and check where they stand on home exchange.
Set expectations
The home swapper community is a very intelligent one, but we're yet to come across a single one who can read minds. If you expect all towels and linen to be washed and put back in place at the end of a swap, you need to make that known to your guests.
It's good to agree on house-keeping things pre-swap so everyone can come back to their home just as they expect it.
Special occasions
Many people travel for special occasions too, so it's worth chatting about your guests reason for travelling (as well as your own), especially if you're the type of person who likes to go above and beyond for others. Think about leaving guests a bottle of wine or baskets of goodies to welcome their guests.
Top 11 Checklist
- leave your house guides
- Make and agree a plan for keys
- leave your local tips, brochures & maps etc.,
- write down your rules and expectations
- warn the neighbours
- enlist and brief your local contact
- make space
- move valuables
- stock the cupboards
- add your personal touch
- make it special, for a happy swap make sure your guests receive the warmest of welcomes, just like you wish
FOR A PERMANENT SWAP
Are you willing to swap with other property owners who are prepared to swap?
If you are not getting genuine buyers looking at or offering to buy your property, then now is the time to seriously consider swapping with another owner also looking for a new life in a different location, better value and less costs and getting a result far sooner.
It doesn’t have to be home for home it could be home for land, house for business just as long as you can present and agree equal value it can be any sort of property, it could even be your apartment for his Ferrari.
Swapping will open up opportunities which you might not otherwise have thought of or experience through the conventional often arduous middleman sales methods
The potential for you to personally negotiate and reach a mutually beneficial agreement on a direct one on one level will feel more open and rewarding and without a middleman involved and you’ll save tens of thousands of dollars.
Present and sight title documents for proof of ownership, or do a property search yourself.
Once you have agreed verbally (make notes what you have both agreed, maybe each sign or initial both copies) then you can each take the deal to your own solicitor, conveyancer or finance advisor to check over the fine details and guidance to draw up a contract.
The benefits of swapping
Just a few of the many benefits of a home exchange:
Are you willing to swap with other property owners who are prepared to swap?
If you are not getting genuine buyers looking at or offering to buy your property, then now is the time to seriously consider swapping with another owner also looking for a new life in a different location, better value and less costs and getting a result far sooner.
It doesn’t have to be home for home it could be home for land, house for business just as long as you can present and agree equal value it can be any sort of property, it could even be your apartment for his Ferrari.
Swapping will open up opportunities which you might not otherwise have thought of or experience through the conventional often arduous middleman sales methods
The potential for you to personally negotiate and reach a mutually beneficial agreement on a direct one on one level will feel more open and rewarding and without a middleman involved and you’ll save tens of thousands of dollars.
Present and sight title documents for proof of ownership, or do a property search yourself.
Once you have agreed verbally (make notes what you have both agreed, maybe each sign or initial both copies) then you can each take the deal to your own solicitor, conveyancer or finance advisor to check over the fine details and guidance to draw up a contract.
The benefits of swapping
Just a few of the many benefits of a home exchange:
- eliminate sales agent commissions
- save tens of thousands of dollars
- minimise marketing fees
- you may not need to pay stamp duty, check with your solicitor equal or near equal values eliminate financial transactions
- often a far quicker way to reach an amicable deal
- eliminates the need for storage whilst finding a replacement place to live in
- no need for short term rental between moves
- you know where the other party lives if there are any problems
This concept works as simple as "I will swap my home with yours" so owners simply move to their new homes after agreeing and closing the deal.
If you are open minded and need to simply change places and move to a similar house in your location of choice, then try swapping.
Before accepting any exchange we recommend you arrange a phone call or a Skype video call to get to know each other and feel comfortable that this is the right swap for you.
Both parties may consider providing or asking for a police check to allay any concerns you have.
Please Note, We not a selling or property management agents and do not seek or ask for any commission. Sellitswapitbuyit provides the advertising space and a personal Profile page for you to present your property ready to swap and it’s free to register to Swap as the property owner.
If you are open minded and need to simply change places and move to a similar house in your location of choice, then try swapping.
Before accepting any exchange we recommend you arrange a phone call or a Skype video call to get to know each other and feel comfortable that this is the right swap for you.
Both parties may consider providing or asking for a police check to allay any concerns you have.
Please Note, We not a selling or property management agents and do not seek or ask for any commission. Sellitswapitbuyit provides the advertising space and a personal Profile page for you to present your property ready to swap and it’s free to register to Swap as the property owner.