6 Top Tips for making the most of EXCHANGE HOLIDAY HOMES in 2017

1. Get in touch :) Remember we are always here in the office to assist you with your holiday ideas and plans, we can guide you through and help you find an exchange which fits your needs your needs perfectly. This is all part of our service and doesn't cost you a penny! 2. Think about Dream Holidays What type of holidays would you like in 2017? Send us details of the dates, country, number of people you have in mind, and we'll do a thorough search for you. Remember we can often help find properties which you may not have thought of, and know which owners will consider peak dates or short breaks. Or make a note of ID numbers that interest you, and send us those. 3. Think about Exchange Dates you might offer Many owners add available dates for their own properties in the New Year. Think about whether you want to do this. Or if not, that's fine, but do have a think about which periods you might consider for exchanges in 2017. And especially whether you want to earn Bonus Credits by offering any dates in peak periods. You can earn up to 42 bonus credits for peak dates! Those credits translate to many more opportunities for great holidays weeks or short breaks for you.  4. Got lots of credits 'in the bank'? Remember you can gift credits to family or close friends. You can decide how many credits you would like to gift, and we can make up a gift certificate for you. We will treat your family/friends exactly the same as a member, so will guide them through the process of finding an exchange holiday. All they will have to do is pay the standard exchange fees due once an exchange has been agreed (or you can pay it in advance) 5. Remember we don't deal with DIRECT Exchanges With EHH - you definitely don't have to give up your property at the exact time you go on holiday. The credits system means there is absolute flexibility. You can give exchanges for dates that suit you, and take exchanges whenever you wish (as long as you have credits in place to cover them). 6. Exchanges are Easy Don't be worried if it's your first exchange, or you haven't done one for a while. We can explain all about adding dates and earning credits if you finding it complicated. And remember, we do all the booking forms and credit administration for you. Plus new members can take up to two exchanges before agreeing an exchange for their own properties. Wow!

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We are now on Pinterest!

Well, we are now regularly posting on Pinterest to keep you holiday exchangers up to date and ready to swap! So make sure you follow us for updates on all of the new and beautiful properties that are added to Exchange Holiday Homes on a weekly basis. And don't forget to give us a ring or an e-mail if any take your fancy. Remember, it's free to join! You'll also find tips, ideas and many more creative ideas for any travel enthusiast.

Click here to visit our page on Pinterest

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The List of Welcome Pack Ideas and Little Touches to Wow Your Guests

Here at the Exchange Holiday Home office we believe that the care you put into creating a welcoming environment for your holiday home guests can be one of the most useful ingredients to create a happy holiday home guest. You have one chance to make a first impression, so make the most of it! 

Here is a handy list of little touches and holiday home essentials you can add to your cottage or villa that your guests (or swapper) will love...especially those that are hungry and tired after a long journey to their new home for the week. And don't forget to give them a mention on your website or advert!

• Tea, Coffee and Fresh Milk
• Condiments such a salt, pepper, sugar,oil, basic herbs/spices.
• A selection of toys, boardgames and outdoor games- always useful to keep the little ones happy!
• DVD/Blu-Ray Player and DVDS/Blu-Rays - keep an eye out in charity shop for cheap films
• Books
• Barbecue and coals
• Hairdryer
• Toilet paper/Kitchen Roll
• Washing up liquid
• Ironing Board
• Oven gloves
• Tea towels
• Dish washer tablets if you have a dishwasher
• Bin liners
• Matches
• First aid kit
• Plastic crockery and cutlery for kids

You can even go the extra mile and get the 'wow' factor to impress your guests by putting together a welcome pack or hamper.  Here are some ideas you might like to include:

• Local produce including some artisan type products to showcase the surrounding area is an idea growing in popularity throughout farm cottages in the UK. For example, I recently visited a property in Cornwall who provided homemade scones, locally produced jam, and Cornish clotted cream upon arrival. Who wouldn't want to start their holiday with a Cornish cream tea? If this doesn't take your fancy, how about a bottle of local wine, beer, some fruit juices, butter or fresh fruits. Anything that says 'I go the extra mile for my guests' is ideal.
Don't forget to consider costs. Whilst it a great idea to impress your guests try to factor in the price and don't go unnecessarily overboard. Determine whether or not you want to include a hamper free of charge or as an optional extra. Think about dietary requirements. Having a welcome pack full of meat for two arriving vegetarian guests is certainly not ideal!

• Local newspaper or magazine

• Cosmetics such a bath bombs, shower gel, hand cream and suntan lotion.

• From your correspondence with guests you may find out that they are celebrating something special - honeymoon, birthday, anniversary etc. Leave a card, some flowers, chocolates or even a bottle of bubbly to celebrate their special trip.

• Find out about your party of guests to include goodies perfect for them. If you have children arriving, perhaps some colouring books or organic treats. Advertise your property as dog friendly? Provide treats for your new canine friends!

• Of course if time and money is not on your side, many farm shops and delicatessen's offer ready made hampers for you to recommend for your guests arrival. For example, Lawson's Delicatessen in East Suffolk supply and deliver supper and/or breakfast essentials to local holiday cottages in order to make the guest's lives easier. At the very least you could provide information and contact details of local supermarkets that offer home delivery in your area or support your local village shop by setting up a pre-arrival grocery delivery with them.

Step into the mind of your guests and think about what would make your holiday home special. Don't forget to think about who your cottage is primarily aimed at. If you usually have families to stay then add items that market your cottage as fun, safe and child friendly. If you have a smaller holiday home with maybe only one bedroom, you could market it as a romantic couples retreat and invest in nice bedding, cushions and even candles. And if you can, be there to greet your guests and give a warm welcome in person.

Making just a little bit of effort can reap huge rewards in repeat custom, good guest reviews, positive word of mouth and most importantly a happy holidaymaker!

What would make you feel welcome in a holiday home? We would love to hear your suggestions in the comments!

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Still having serious problems in our area with the internet and phones due to the flooding in the area corroding cables (the whole of our area is affected since the 30th Dec) . 

We have moved to temporary premises, and can be reached by email or on 01503 250857. Hopefully BT will be resolving it very soon!! 

Sorry for the inconvenience to our members.

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Now is the time to start looking for your 2013 holidays, if you are not sure, then let us know which countries you are interested in and we will take a look for you and let you know any that may do the dates you want

We don't charge for this service , so make the most of it as we do arrange most of our exchanges this way.

Now is the time for all members to add dates too, this makes it easier for other members to see what may be available.

Nothing is ever tied up without consulting the owner to makes sure it is still free and they are happy, so it is worth doing!!

Latest new member - Palm Springs, California (see photo)  and she has added plenty of dates for 2013, so if you are looking for the US , take a look!

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Sorry!

It's been a while since we have posted here, sorry!

It's been so busy with lots of members joining and lots of exchanges being arranged.  We have over 1040 members now in 45 different countries, so our lists keeps on growing.

Many members are now looking for next year, so we still need more members of course, the more the merrier!

We have many members looking for London, which is a location that we have a shortage of holiday homes, also New York is an area we could do some properties as we has constant requests for there.

It doesn't cost to join EHH, it's a great system  designed by holiday home owners to work to the benefit of them. We  help all members with searching for properties and we enjoy finding holidays for our members . It's a very satisfactory feeling and we love it!

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New increases in Bonus Credits

Great News!

We have reviewed our bonus credits and  now increased them !

Now for adding peak season weeks you will receive 42 credits ( double what it was before) and 21 credits for high season weeks!

Please do take time to 'like' us on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/exchangeholidayhomes and we are trying to pass the word around!

We are getting near to our 1000 members, so if you have a holiday home, why not join us, it's free to join and there's no obligation.

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February Newsletter

We have been tremendously busy since Christmas ( hence lack of posts on this blog!)  with lots of members looking for holidays throughout 2012 and even into 2013!

We send out a newsletter to our members fortnightly and I thought that maybe you would like to see it to get an idea of what we have and some dates we have too. Click on the link and it will take you to the newsletter.  http://www.exchangeholidayhomes.com/newsletterFeb.htm

We are hoping it wont be long before we get to 1000 members , we have 915 members active at the moment  so getting close!

We have slowly been adding hotels, the photo show one of them located in Edinburgh , Scotland.

Will try to post more, but it's always good when we are busy and it means we are sorting out lots of  holidays!

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Special Festive Offer for our Members 

Between now and the 25th Dec 2011011)

As well as the weeks that are showing in our late offers section, any weeks that are requested and  added, will be at the Late Offers discounted rates and costs (see our Late Offers page for details).

So, if you see a place you like with no dates and that members agrees dates within the next 6 weeks from then, you will only have to use (or buy outright) the Late Offer credits values!


For more details contact us via email;
admin@exchangeholidayhomes.com
or +44 (0) 1579 321402
www.exchangeholidayhomes.com

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Well it's been busy this week with lots of members looking for a short break before Christmas and also members now thinking about their holidays for next year.

We have been working to get more members, as more members means more choice, so we have offered all members an instant 7 free credits if they introduce a friend and they become a member.

Word of mouth is effective, as people are reassured if someone has personal experience of something that is new to them.  We do have regular members that are happy to talk to potential new members about how the club woks, all you need to do is contact us.

Although EHH is an Internet business, one of the main criteria for the business is personal service. I have over the years of the Internet developing been fed up with how it is more and more difficult to contact people or get a straight forward and quick answer .

Having many years of experience in retail management, I have aimed to offer a good service with real people who do want to help and advise.  We do help our members search for their holidays, and we don't charge for this service. We get to know our regular members and what they want , it is always good for members  to let us know the sort of places that would be of interest as we can let them know of anything new.

We are a growing club with over 850 members , but we still need more, so if you have a second home and have already registered, why not join now,it's free to join EHH and there's no obligation !

Debbie
(Owner EHH)
www.exchangeholidayhomes.com

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Sorry we haven't posted for a while!

Sorry we haven't posted on the blog for a while, but we have had a few staff changes here over the past couple of months , as well as it being busy arranging lots of new exchanges.

Now I will be looking after this blog for a while, and I will endeavour to make sure we post much more regularly, I promise!

We are still working hard on the new websites, but the cost has gone through the roof and so it may be a little while before we can get it all organised.

Meanwhile we have been welcoming lots of new members and  it's been busy with sorting out exchanges . We have even arranged exchanges as far as Oct next year!

Although we now have over 850 members, we are constantly on the hunt for new members as it does mean more choice for everyone, and so pass the word as it is free to join us, there's no obligation to exchange and you have us to help you with the exchanges or your search for a holiday!

We have members at the moment looking for places in Canada - Nova Scotia and Vancouver, also London and New York. We always want more properties in Spain and Italy so if you have one there , take a look and please do ask us if you don't understand how it all works.

We also have a shortage of properties in South East England so if you have one, take a look.

All best for now - Debbie (Owner of EHH)

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Hoping for a 1000!

France

We have now over 780 properties and counting,  so it wont be long before we hit the thousand! Some examples of new members this week are below.

Why not join now , after all it's free to join us and help us reach that thousand!  All our members are 2nd home owners and we offer a personal service helping you find your holiday.

There are no hidden charges and no obligation if you join, so come on what's stopping you !

Peak District UK

Maine, USA

We are particularly looking for city centre properties and properties in the US

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We now have 717 members live on the website , with over 60 properties being added in March.

There's lots to choose from, but we want more, so just for this month  we are offering all members 7 bonus credits for anyone they recommend who joins and goes live on the listings!

Find 4 friends and that's enough for a holiday without giving up any of your own weeks!

And that's not all, you will still receive the normal offer we have of 21 credits when you recommend a friend, they join and agree to an exchange!

Great last minute deals , including a fantastic ski in/ski out chalet on the French/Italian borders -

Any or all dates between the 4th and 25th April this year!

So if you have got some spare time this April, how about some skiing or snowboarding!

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It's been a busy month for us here at EHH. We have had 59 properties join so far this month and now have a total of 709 live listing!

7 new ones in Palm Desert, Pal Springs California, stunning house in the Lake District, UK,   large ski chalet in France/Italian borders, 2 apartments in Italy, several places in Brittany, France, and several villas in Florida, to name just a few!

It has also been very busy for exchanges, we have successfully tied up loads of exchanges this month, for  all times of the year.  We do pride ourselves in our excellent service and  try to help our members find what they want.

So keep on joining lets see how long it takes for us to hit the 1000 members!

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How time flies!

We have been so busy recently that we have neglected this blog!  How could we

Well we are growing from strength to strength, and can now report that we have over 650 members , with around 150 is the 'nearly member' stages.

We are particular about who goes live on the listings as we do want to make sure that there are photos, good descriptions and so on. We personally read and look at all members before they are made live and try to weed out any time wasters.

One point that I really would like to make is that EHH does offer a personal service. We try to get to know our regular exchangers re what they are looking for and so on. We do help members to find somewhere and we will go out and try to find places for members.

This is not just an automated website , with a back office that no one can contact. We are here to help and help we do!

We are actively looking now for our members for places in Italy, also city centre properties in Paris, New York, London .

So if you know of any , let us know, don't forget it's free to join, but only second home owners please!

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Oh how the times, they change.

Time flies when you're having fun, so the saying goes. In the time between our last blog I've been lucky enough to have literally been flying, up above the offices in fact. While I've been messing around having fun, a lot of work has been done too.

While they were workling, I was circling.

We are excited. We want to implement big changes to Exchange Holiday Homes and we've got a lot closer to signing some dotted lines to help make them happen. In the meantime, we've been lucky to truly add some fantastic new properties to the site (pictures below) and it's been lovely to see so many of you fly off on your summer exchanges.



In fact I'm jealous and I really think you should consider our feelings when having such good times without us all.

If there are any idea that you'd like to see in amongst any other changes we make, the do please let us know. To keep things short and sweet today I'll close with the pretty photographs of some of the new places you can now visit through EHH. 

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Sunday Times Feature May 16th

If any of you bought the Sunday Times on May 16th, you hopefully will have seen the Travel section and us in a feature there.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/where_to_stay/article7126839.ece

We have had lots of new members because of the article and  continue to do so.  Some of the new members have holiday homes in Hungary, Maylasia and many more!

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Behind The Scenes

Confession time. We haven't blogged for far too long. Not that it's a secret, as you can quite clearly see when we made the last addition below. Now we don't generally like to make excuses but this time we're making an exception. They all follow below.

1. Lots of swaps! Those of you already with us have been livening up recently and wanting to take many more holidays that we've previously experienced. I'd like to make it absolutely clear that we are in no way complaining. It's a very welcome challenge for the team and means improving our efficiency and behind the scenes systems has been a must.

This won't just benefit us (that would just be selfish), as some of the new methods we are putting into place will make it physically on to the website and improve how you make enquiries and the tracking of  the responses you receive. We've had superb feedback from those of you who have flown off on holidays recently and will shortly be improving it's implementation into the website with both words, and, wait for it, holiday photos! Very exciting, we're sure you'll agree.

2.  Lots of new members! We are pleased to see our numbers steadily and readily increasing. For example, we were happy to add five new properties over just this weekend and have many still in the midst of registration. It's always a pleasure to welcome people into the club and see what exciting properties they bring along with them. The property photographs within this blog are all from new members recently added to the site.

3. The Place in the Sun exhibition! (Exclamation mark added for consistency) I recently (Matt) attended the Place in the Sun exhibition in London and met with a lot of companies that we can form working relationships with to benefit both them and us. The response has already been extremely positive and many discussions are ongoing. The increase in exposure and the resulting new members helps to further expand the club and provide new and exciting places for you all to visit.

All of the above and much more behind the scenes have been going on here and I could spend much more time telling you all about it all. The only problem being I must stop and get back to everything else that needs doing.

Until next time swappers. (They'll be less of a gap this time, I promise)

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A Place in the Sun

A Place in the Sun magazine comes out today, we have placed an advert with them over the next few months to coincide with their exhibition (26th/28th March) and we hope that this will bring in even more new members.

We are busy though, and are having members join every day!  Organising exchanges now for the summer and even Christmas.

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Credit System Revision

Hello all,

Slighly delayed this morning due to the slippery ice and slushy snow. Not as much this morning as the last time when some of us had to walk here though.

The revision above isn't the type that most of us tried to avoid during our school years and crammed into the day before. It's a slight change to the way that the credit system is displayed to you, the user when you log into EHH.

Previously when you added weeks of availability in your property to the website, your credit total was instantly inflated and showed your total credits figure. You only keep the credits if somebody books your week and there was no way of telling how many credits were 'Confirmed' and how many were 'Potential' credits until somebody selected your property for a holiday.

We really thought outside the box on this one and after many strenuous hours of painful thinking, we decided to list, 'Potential Credits' and 'Confirmed Credits'. We've even beed kind enough to let you know how many you've used and how many you have to 'spend' on your holidays.

We think that the system helps to clarify what was previously an occasionally confusing system. Please do let us know if you agree or if you think we could make any further adjustments. All constructive feedback is very welcome and helps to keep us in check as we grow and make sure we're always doing our very best for you.

Below is what I personally hope will be the last time we'll have seen that kind of snow down in Cornwall this year. I'm quite looking forward to some sun.

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