Negotiating a Contract for Trading Residences
When you think about the fact that your home is sitting empty while you are on vacation, trading residences would make a lot of financial sense. Still, this endeavour would entail that you put your abode and your trust in a complete stranger. Thus, it is important to have a signed contract before the swap.
Start by contacting the person that you will be swapping your house with. Avoid relying purely on email for contact. Get in touch with them and see if there is anything about the person or the situation that you feel uncomfortable. If you still feel ill at ease after a thorough discussion, do not go through with the home exchange. Next, talk about the dates of the residence trade, including the time of the day that the houses will be available and the time that each family is expected to depart. Make sure that both parties clearly understand the schedules given.
Think about all the extras involved in the actual swap. Consider whether you and the other home owner will be using each one’s vehicle and taking care of each other’s pet. Take into account necessary chores such as house plants or outdoor gardens that will need care. Once you have settled all of these, proceed to working out on the pertinent details. Usually, the home owner will continue to pay the utilities on their respective properties during the duration of the other party’s stay there. Determine who will be responsible for the cost of any emergency repairs that might be needed on the house or vehicle while the other family has use of it. List down restrictions on the use of the car such as limits on the mileage driven.