We’re back with another tip to help you get the best out of your favourite home exchange platform! This week, let’s talk about your calendar and how to use it smoothly and confidently.
A quick reminder: it’s your home, your decision
First things first—whether your calendar is open or not, you’re always in control of who stays in your home. You’re never under any obligation to accept every request that comes your way. That said, it’s always a good idea to reply to each message you receive.
Home exchanging works best when you feel completely comfortable with your guests, so trust your instincts and take your time choosing the right match.
The same goes when you’re reaching out to others. Even if someone’s calendar shows availability, they might still decline your request—and that’s okay. Try not to take it personally, just keep exploring your options. After all, it only takes one “yes” 
Your calendar: understanding the colours 
Try to keep your calendar up to date and review the colours you’re using regularly
Choose colours that genuinely reflect your real availability and preferences
Avoid mixing colours within the same date range (for example, green from 2–10 July and blue from 11–20 July) — this splits the period in two, so someone searching for 2–20 July won’t see your home
The minimum number of nights you set is just a guideline — it won’t prevent you from receiving requests for shorter stays
Calendars in your searches
Make sure you select the right colour(s) when filtering your searches
Good to know: if you select Green – All types of exchange – you’ll only see listings with green calendars. So it’s worth selecting multiple colours to widen your options
Over to your calendars!
Take a few minutes over the next few days to review everything—whether you’re brand new or have been on HomeExchange for 20 years or more 
And feel free to share any extra tips in the comments—we’d love to hear them!
See you soon for more tips!