Some time ago I wrote about swapping property, this is now a popular way of holidaying. I also mentioned that someone had posted an ad with yours2share to occasionally swap their holiday home in Mallorca, Spain for a motor yacht in Mallorca. I looked quite hard for any websites for boat swaps but couldn’t find any. So I was pleased to find out about this website, BVC International, based in Australia, but enabling boat swaps worldwide.
One aspect of swapping that really pleases me is that it is so successful. When people first hear about it, their natural caution screams “I can’t let a complete stranger live in my home – when I’m not there!” But I understand there are few horror stories: I know several people who do it every year, including owners of very upmarket properties. In reality people are generally very respectful of other people’s property, know that any bad behaviour may be reported to neighbours to the owners who are currently staying in their house, and need to ensure that their feedback ratings are good, or they won’t be able to swap again.
Similarly with sharing: most people’s first reaction is “I can’t share my holiday home!” But the reality of the many private syndicates I’ve had contact with, is that people work together to make it work, investing time at the beginning to discussing and negotiating to ensure all the partners are like-minded and compatible, and that all the details are agreed and written down in a contract.