Advice needed: thinking of leaving this platform

English Forum Community 🤔 Q&As: Ask the community
1

Hi,
I have a fairytale location on oceanfront in Scotland, but house is bad. It’s written all over in my house description that house will be demolished , that I am NOT putting fresh paint ( before demolition).
It’s a reason house can’t not be repaired, and have to be demolished!
House is empty sometimes, and it’s a shame , - it’s gorgeous place . So I thought that since it’s difficult to find exchanges for a lot of people, our second home will give a chance of vacation. ( I personally want to be there all the time, but I have commitments, and have to be away from my dream place).
I had my first 2 HE guests . Before confirming I showed on video call how bad house is.
I said to my guests since they ask me on short notice, I can’t guarantee cleaning / or my assistance because I will be in USA that time.
My first guest definitely cleaned my house to the maximum possible for this house, but my second guests put only 3 stars for her work . By the way my first guest plans to come back, she loved location, condition of the house is “ like camping “ doesn’t scare her.
Her description is very similar to my description of the house. Still somehow she put only 3 stars about “house matches description “.
Second guests from France , before I confirmed, I asked if they got any better offers than my house. They didn’t , so they stayed.

So far 2 exchanges ,when guests wrote mixed reviews. Expectations was higher than condition of my home.

Should I just leave HE?
I don’t think I will be able to find exchanges for me with mediocre reviews .
I don’t mind to share our second house when it’s available, but I would like to be hosted in return when I am travelling.
Most of my communications on video call with potential HE guests ,- they say that they don’t mind bad condition of the house.
What would you do if you were on my place? Should I stay or should I go ( away from HE)? Again my main concern,- I want to be hosted too. But it looks like I don’t have a chance to be guest.
So far I couldn’t find any exchanges related to my travels.

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I suggest that you remain in HE. There are many people (me included) who would love to stay in an oceanfront house in Scotland, even if it’s in rough condition. As long as you explain upfront the condition of the house, then you are being a responsible member and I believe that you will attract guests. If a guest is fully aware of the condition of your house via your calls and video calls, it is unreasonable for them to give a “3” for “House is as described”. But unfortunately, there are some HE members who seem to believe that they are staying at a hotel or airbnb and expect everything to be pristine and perfect. Just ignore them and don’t worry about it.

Could you provide the link to your HE listing? It is very possible that we would be interested in a reciprocal or GP exchange, depending on your preferred destinations.

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I think it’s quite strange that guests give 3 stars for “house matches description“ if it’s in your profie that the house is in bad shape … I might even respond to such a review saying that. You can contact HE about this I think, that you’d like to respond.
I would certainly not leave HE. If you’re afraid people won;t have you as a guest because of the 3 stars, just explain to them similar to how you did here.

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Is it possible to respond to their review comments on where it does not match description and modify your listing where they feel you have not been clear enough. Also if they have not mentioned specifics ask them what does not match description it may be there is something to mention that you think is obvious but they did not realize.