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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Mumsnet Homeswap - the houses are so luxurious!

167 replies

BeattieBow · 30/12/2011 12:28

so I've just been looking at the link to the homeswapping site through the email, as this is something we are thinking of doing.

But the houses are all so luxurious! where did they come from - surely they're not mumsnetters homes? I don't think I would feel comfortable swapping with any of those luxury houses, and I'm not sure that the residents of them would want to live in my house. are there any "normal" houses in the list?

OP posts:
MotherPanda · 30/12/2011 15:05

good post fannny - i feel deprived of my winnings. The only competition I ever win and it's useless to me.

Original poster
BeattieBow · 30/12/2011 15:05

Guardian one looks much more real tbh. I have found a lovely apartment in NY that sleeps 5 children (on Ikea bunks apparently). I wouldn't feel embarrassed having that family visit my house.
yes, MNHQ, I do think this misses the point a bit.

OP posts:
RockStockAndTwoOpenBottles · 30/12/2011 15:06

SuePurblybilt Fri 30-Dec-11 13:51:21
I'd like someone with very low standards, who can be trusted to feed the rabbit and not slag me off on MN afterwards .
Beautiful Devon location. Come marvel at my varied clutter and inability to keep on top of the lawn mowing.

As you know Sue I have offered you a place to stay so you can clean my cupboards. I will happily swap with you should you want a stay in Sarf London. I will not slag you off on MN unless your spunky bunny lives up to his rep and then I will forever and a day

musicposy · 30/12/2011 15:09

Totally agree, Fanny. At first I was quite excited and then I thought, OK another money grabbing opportunity. Sad. I'm sure a proper mumsnet swap for real mumsnetters with normal houses (admit mine is a bit below normal, but hey, nice location Wink) could have been done for a much cheaper price.

LadyBeagleEyes · 30/12/2011 15:10

Agree Fanny.
We must start our a-bit-crap-but homely-no-fee-because-we're-all-broke house swap thread.Grin

TurkeyCurryTilFebruary · 30/12/2011 15:10

I think the people who own those very plush homes are probably looking for a foreign house swap. I have family friends that do that, they swap their lovely, posh mansion in the UK for a lovely, posh mansion in Australia for 2 weeks.

I don't think they are looking for a swap to Yorkshire or Powys or anywhere like that.

I think MN Hovelswap is a really good idea. It'd be a really cheap way of having a week/weekend away.

RockStockAndTwoOpenBottles · 30/12/2011 15:11

I have a TK Maxx AND Primark at the end of the road. Bet you're all tempted now hey.

OTheHugeManatee · 30/12/2011 15:11

Christ, I'd forgotten that it was Sjue's bunny that was the spunkbunny.

I rescind my offer of a brown-carpeted Sarf London shoebox with odd-shaped bedroom unless you're willing to throw in a biohazard suit Grin

RockStockAndTwoOpenBottles · 30/12/2011 15:12

OTheHuge p'raps we should swap...change of Sarf London scenery and all that. Oh yeah - it's all the same.

DottyDot · 30/12/2011 15:15

We need to Be Organised. We need somewhere we can list our hovels homes, with vague descriptions and blurry photos.

Plus extra info on pets and dates and stuff.

I'm sure it's do-able and would be happy to help?

LadyBeagleEyes · 30/12/2011 15:16

Definitely mn hovel swap.
I love it.

RockStockAndTwoOpenBottles · 30/12/2011 15:17

Can we swap children at the same time?

baubleybobbityhat · 30/12/2011 15:17

Pmsl at this!

We have a large 3 bed house with a large garden in London that would be ideal to swap for the Olympics or for anyone just wanting to come to London for a week or two.

However, it is full of stuff cos we live here and bits and pieces of it aren't finished, there is a resident cat and two guinea pigs, the carpet could do with replacing ...

I would far rather swap with the owners of a house like mine than one of these luxury pads!

BalloonSlayer · 30/12/2011 15:19

Just had a gander! Shock

Was Hmm at someone advertising their house as "architect designed." Aren't all houses designed by an architect? Apart from very old ones.

Original poster
BeattieBow · 30/12/2011 15:20

I would be up for a swap - N London for Scotland? Not sure where in Scotland, but somewhere nice I suppose! or maybe wales. or maybe Devon/Cornwall.

I want to go to USA during olympics time, but not sure how much the flights would be and also don't have permission from landlord

OP posts:
musicposy · 30/12/2011 15:25

Yes, pets.

"Home exchangers tend to leave their homes free of pets, making private arrangements for their care elsewhere"

So, that's 2 dogs in kennels, cat in cattery (where he has never been in his life because normally my mum comes and feeds him) and as for the gerbils - what the hell do I do with them? Suddenly this house swap is looking a whole lot more expensive than our usual camping trips luxury holidays!

I need someone, like Sue says, with very low standards indeed, who doesn't mind a cat and a couple of small furries here. Blurry photos and vague descriptions - I could do that. Well, maybe I wouldn't even have to for the hovelswap. Whereas lets face it, for the MN house swap I'd have to lie through my teeth be very creative in my description Grin.

Original poster
BeattieBow · 30/12/2011 15:26

anyone up for looking after my incontinent cat?

OP posts:
SuePurblybilt · 30/12/2011 15:29

I would like a home free of pets. In fact, that would be a holiday all of its own.

musicposy · 30/12/2011 15:33

I can do incontinent pets no problem! My cat, though, bites everyone except DD2, who somehow manages to escape his wrath.

I wonder how I could phrase that better for the hovelswap? "Beautiful ginger tabby, can be a little assertive, chain metal gloves provided."

DottyDot · 30/12/2011 15:33

2 cats and 2 fish here - none any trouble, honest (seriously - nowhere near as much trouble as ds's and I'll be really kind and take them with me Grin)

Need to Have A Think about the easiest way to display the information. A lovely Excel spreadsheet would be good but then not sure how to get it on here

Anyway, tea with the in-laws calls... And honestly, a weekend in pissing down Manchester is always available if anyone's interested Grin

pinkappleby · 30/12/2011 15:37

I'm disappointed too, I like the idea of home swap for a cheap holiday but am normally scared off as they are open to anyone, for some reason I thought a mumsnet one would be ok, someone a bit like me, whatever that is. I never did the NCT one because I thought all the houses would be posh and too clean!

Why are all the people on there trying to 'sell' their home? I'd far rather see the type of descriptions people have writte on this thread!

I'd consider hovel swap Grin

EtInTerraPax · 30/12/2011 15:38

Id swap with NAO in an instant! Of course... your brood would have to sleep 6 to a room... Grin

OTheHugeManatee · 30/12/2011 15:40

musicposy Surely that's 'Gorgeous resident ginger cat, a fabulous strong character. Chainlink gloves provided.'

Here's mine: 'Wonky conversion flat in anonymous South London terrace. Fab local bistro, very handy for the drug dealers amenities of Brixton and Camberwell. Great selection of ancient brown carpeting and 1980s white goods, front door opens easily when you kick it and only minimal mould on the shower curtain.'

QED · 30/12/2011 15:42

It would be quite interesting to swop children as well.....

GentleOtter · 30/12/2011 15:44

Remote stone built farmhouse in the middle of nowhere.
Peaceful apart from nutjob Elmer Fudd shooter.
5 bedrooms
No roof, ceiling, water, heating or electric
Cows with attitude
Downside - you can't actually sleep in it.

Willing to swap for a torn tent, anywhere.

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