Thousands of seniors and boomers now either swap homes with strangers or rent theirs out occasionally as a way of making vacations less expensive. Those who plan to do this can make a home more welcoming and visitors more comfortable by asking themselves what the visitor would ask a hotel concierge about your residence and your town’s attractions.
Take a cue from the "book" of guest service information found in many first-rate hotels. Owners add extra value when they provide answers to typical questions about a city, neighborhood or resort
Major Topics to Cover in a Welcome Packet or Letter
- The phone number of the house, if applicable, and how to make (or not make) long-distance calls and send/receive faxes.
- The wi-fi access code if there is one for visitor laptops.
- Where to find such items as bed linens, dishes and towels.
- Where the washer and dryer set is (if there is one) or the nearest laundry, as well as nearest dry cleaner.
- Instructions for operating TV and other appliance remote controls. Smart homeowners tape a set of instructions to the remotes themselves.
- Instructions for and locations of heat and air conditioning regulators and switches.
- If the guest is receiving mail, where the mailroom is, if it is a large building.
- Trash disposal information and recycling instructions,
- How to reach the owner of the home in an emergency.
- Name and phone number of emergency help contacts such as plumber, locksmith, building manager, handyman.
- Information on maid service, if any.
- Checklist of things guests are expected to do (such as dispose of trash or wash dishes) before they depart.
- Site of nearest hospital emergency room.
In addition, swappers should give guests the benefit of their "insider knowledge" of the home town and its major attractions. Some experienced swappers save brochures about festivals and special events. It is also nice to leave local entertainment magazines such as Time Out that list what is happening while the swappers are visiting. Homeowners can also make up their own personal favorites lists.
Swappers Concierge Listings – A Sampling
- Location of nearest grocery store, liquor store, ATM and pharmacy.
- Nearest public bus and rail transportation, if any, and phone number of best local taxi, if applicable.
- Nearest movie theaters, museums, children’s playgrounds, notable sightseeing spots, parks, concert halls, theatrical venues.
- Homeowners’ recommendations of nearby restaurants, including type of cuisine and price range.
- Homeowners’ personal "must-to-avoid" restaurants or shops.
In short, any information that a homeowner would expect to find at a hotel or B & B in an unfamiliar city or resort is exactly the kind of information it makes sense to provide to home exchange guests or short-term rental guests.
Grace Lichtenstein - I prefer "seasoned" to "senior" but whatever term you use, I have been an outdoor adventurer for most of my adult years. I am a cycling ...
