Have you just joined HomeExchange and are looking for inspiration to write your listing, especially your profile? Or are you already a member but would like to improve your profile?
This article is for you!
Find inspiration in the comments
We recently launched a small contest on the forum (won by @WolffeMan , thanks to this great profile), inviting HomeExchangers to share the content of their HomeExchange profiles here. The goal of the contest was to reward the best profile ā the one that would win you over, inspire trust, and make you want to reach out for an exchange.
So, I invite you to browse through the different contributions shared by members in the comments to find inspiration for your own profile. Youāll also find a few tips below.
Happy reading, and donāt hesitate to ask for advice on this forum!
Get inspired by the Fernandez familyās profile!
Any profile that truly reflects you and contains all the necessary information can be considered a great profile.
To guide you, we have created a fictional listing with its fictional profile that includes all the elements of a quality profile. I encourage you to check it out if youāre lacking inspiration or if youāre new to the community and looking for ideas to write your profile:
Tip: Discover how to improve your profile (and your listing) by reading the advice from our ambassadors Florent and Joanna!
Finally, if youāre looking for even more tips to boost your chances of successful exchanges, read the advice from our ambassadors:
Our family has lived in the area for 20+ years. Ryan is a recovering Architect and Michelle is a MRI Technician. Our daughter, while away at college now, was born in Vail and has been raised as a Colorado Mountain girl. When not planning our next home exchange we enjoy skiing, hiking, camping, biking and all the outdoor activities we can find. We also LOVE good company, food and craft beer.
Hi Iām Susan ā My husband and I are self-employed, in the financial industry --so we can work from anywhere with a good wi-fi. I like to keep things clean and will leave your home in pristine condition. Its mostly just the two of us, but sometimes we invite another couple (if space allows). We are quiet and respectful, non smokers. Our home is big so we offer 2 configurations. We have 5 bedrooms but 90% of our exchanges only need 1-2 so we offer reduced points for less bedrooms and thus preparation. If you need more space we can add the primary suite and points are 292 (recommended by home exchange), We love guest points so if you see guest points its an ACTUAL availability - send us a request.
We both love the outdoors, the beach, hiking, movies, musical theater, finding waterfalls, exploring cities, and bring our pickleball paddles everywhere ā just in case. Our home is mostly has all wood flooring. We have no pets, at this time. David is a hobbyist photographer. Susan canāt eat wheat, so we often shop and cook, but nothing elaborate. We like to meet in person or via skype, everyone who will stay in our home. Californians & other states in a 6 hour drive or 1-2 hour flight --if you want to do a long weekend, we are interested! We like to getaway for 4 days or so once a month and explore our own state and the Western US.
To date we have visited 44 international cities/countries and have at least 40 left including: Belize, Brazil, Argentina, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, Malta, & Czech, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Australia, & New Zealand. Weāll get there. I usually only put a few places on our āpreferred destination listā but feel free to propose an exchange if you have a home in one of these places.
Ha, yes it was bad enough that I am recovering 5+ years after escaping that life. Ask me some time about it and Iād be glad to share why, but with a happy ending involving Home Exchange.
HOSTING
LAST MINUTE GUESTS WELCOME!
As a host, I prefer to host last minute or with short notice.
CURRENT MISSION
Cycle from Finland to Argentina, play theater, and more of all: to have fun!
Another mission was to organize the WNBR, and I did for more than a decade.
BLOG
www.cyclorbit.blog
ABOUT ME
I lived in Belgium for a long time, now I mostly live in Finland (in the summer). I was made in Italy, I grew up around Europe, and I will die as a World citizen.
At the moment I am cycling from Finland to Argentina.
When I travel, I am pretty essentialist and minimalist; the less I own, the more I am free & enjoy what really matters.
SMOKE, DRUGS, & DRINKS
I donāt smoke; I may smoke just if my clothes are on fire: I am allergic to any smell of smoke.
A drug I use, maybe once every three months, is coffee, but I am trying to quit.
I drink a lot: my favorite drink is water from a spring.
I usually donāt drink much alcohol; I may drink a glass of good wine with some food.
However, I love to be social and go dancing (rock nā roll).
CYCLING
Bicycles are, for me, a religion. I donāt use cars since decades.
I like to use bicycles for any purpose, also to transport dishwashers!
I also work with bicycles, arranging bike events.
I volunteer, too, organizing Cyclonudista (The World Naked Bike Ride).
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES - HOMELESSNESS
Since I am a traveler, as many of you, I have felt what it means not to have a roof on your head.
I think that nobody should be left sleeping in the streets.
Thatās why I try to do my small part about this issue.
ENVIRONMENT
I have been in many environmentalist groups, mostly doing FoodSharing and Peopleās Kitchen.
I like Nature, I like āBalance,ā respect for Animals.
I share vegan ideology, but I make exceptions sometimes.
I can be the most uncomplicated person on the globe. But, just in certain situations, I can become highly complex; I just try to adapt myself to the circumstances I am in.
THEATER
My main passion is Theater; I love to play and watch Theater shows. I am also making experimental philosophic short movies.
TANTRA
I have practiced tantra for a few years. Along with cycling, it became my main religion.
PHILOSOPHY
I donāt always listen to advice because to make mistakes, I am also excellent by myself.
If you are depressed, you are living in the past.
If you are anxious, you are living in the future.
If you are at peace, you are living in the present.
ĀĀ
If you donāt know how to smile, you are not a serious person.
MY PAST IN COUCHSURFING
Since CS is a āFOR profitā organization, I am less keen to help the ācompany.ā
In the past, for CS, I have:
made all kinds of meetings;
accepted the most CS requests,
helped the CS community in many ways: donating money, helping other members, trying to bring friendly people in the community);
suggested everyone to be verified!;
greeted loads of new/traveling nearby members;
promoted CS censorship-free;
organized regular meetings about Theater;
hosted regular Pyjama Parties Meetings;
started weekly sport meetings;
HOSPITALITY EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE
The first time I couch surfed was in Bielefeld (Germany). Then in Berlin and again in Cologne.
Since then, I have had hundreds of exchanges.
I had super nice, quite lovely, friendly, almost nice, almost not nice, and not nice at all CS experiences.
OTHER INTERESTS
Permaculture,
Veganism,
Yoga,
Ecology,
Martial Arts (BJJ, jiu-jitsu, MMA, Krav Maga),
Music (rock, jazz, blues, ska, classic),
Internet,
Nightlife,
Social life.
The two books that changed my life, and philosophy, are:
No death, no fear; by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Eloge de La Fuite; by Henri Laborit.
Lately, I mostly listen to audiobooks while I am bike touring.
AMAZING THINGS IāVE DONE
I was born;
I have been sailing on ships;
I have had my soul saved on the sea more than once;
Theater;
I have been in life-changing hippie meetings;
Cycling the world;
ā¦and of course a lot of hospitality exchange experiences!
TEACH, LEARN, SHARE
I like to:
Teach & share: Italian, IT, Theater.
Learn: Anthropology, Psychology , Acting.
WHAT I CAN SHARE WITH HOSTS
Vegan Macrobiotic Risotto;
Storytelling;
A bike ride;
Help around at home;
Good company;
Some groceries;
Have you just joined HomeExchange and are looking for inspiration to write your listing, especially your profile? Or are you already a member but would like to improve your profile?
), inviting HomeExchangers to share the content of their HomeExchange profiles here. The goal of the contest was to reward the best profile ā the one that would win you over, inspire trust, and make you want to reach out for an exchange.
Get inspired by the Fernandez familyās profile!
was it so bad??