Contacting your fellow swappers is the most important part to starting the home swap process.
To get started, simply make sure you are logged in to the website. Then go to the home listing you love and click on the “Send a Message” link in the section under their names. Simply type your first message and hit “Send Message”.
If the other swapper is online, they will receive the message immediately. If not, they will get an email notification and should contact you back soon.
We find it’s best to keep your first contact short and simple. Try something along the lines of.
“Hi Swapper, I’m Bob and I love the look of your home! I live in Alberta, would you be interested in a vacation here? Let me know. Thanks”
If you haven’t been contacted back immediately, just remember that the other swapper has been sent an email letting them know to check their inbox. This could take a day or two, so don’t worry.
Once you have received a reply, you can chat any way you want. A lot of swappers like to work out a few things and then do a Skype or Whatsapp video chat. We don’t mind if you don’t use our site for further communication or if you use it for everything. We just want you to have a great vacation!
We know it can be disheartening when another swapper doesn’t contact you back. We do recommend that if your contacted by someone that you should either continue the conversation or politely decline. Unfortunately this doesn’t always happen.
Rest assured however, where you live is someone’s dream destination. Keep on trying. People are amazing and your next message may not only lead to a great swap but also a lifetime friendship.