Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Does The Property Exchange Service Work?
2. Does the Property I am Swapping Have to Match the Value of the Property I want to Swap For?
3. Why Are There Only Price Brackets? How Do I Know the Value of My Property or That the Other Listed Properties are Properly Valued?
4. I Cannot See the Full Details of a Property Listed on the Website? And How Do I Contact the Property Owner?
5. What is the Cost to Register and List My Property? Can I List More Than One Property?
6. How Long Will My Property be Listed For?
7. I Have Seen a Property I am Interested in. What Should I do?
8. What if my Property is Listed for Sale with an Estate Agent?
9. I Have Agreed a Swap. What is the Next Move?
10. I am a Real Estate Agent. Can I Use Your Service?
11. With Thousands of Real Estate Property Websites Online and Several Property Swapping Services How Do I Know My Property Will Get Any Interest?

1.   How Does The Property Exchange Service Work?

A permanent property exchange is basically where you simply agree to swap your house for somebody else's house either in the same general location or in a different region or country. It is completely legal and the general process of acquiring your new property and selling your current house, is the same, just that no or less money changes hands. There will still be legal fees and possibly taxes to pay. The idea of this website is so you can list the property you want to swap and view other properties available for swapping and hopefully find a match.

2.   Does the Property I am Swapping Have to Match the Value of the Property I want to Swap For?

No. You might want to downsize and so swap your higher value property for one of a lower value and perhaps negotiate a cash settlement as well, or you may want to trade up and so will have to arrange to give the other party a lump sum in order to equate values.

3.  Why Are There Only Price Brackets? How Do I Know the Value of My Property or That the Other Listed Properties are Properly Valued?

In today's economic climate it can be very difficult to value a property accurately. Many properties for sale with real estate agents are priced at above the current market value and sellers often accept offers 10 to 15% or more below the listed price. Therefore, it is simpler to place your property in a price bracket. Actual details of property values and whether any cash settlement is required, can be worked out with a prospective 'swapper'.

You can get your property independently valued by a real estate agent in your area or you should be able to get a good idea of your property value by researching other similar properties for sale in your area. Similarly research property prices for houses in the region you are wanting to swap to, so you are aware of what you would be paying to buy a house there.

4. I Cannot See the Full Details of a Property Listed on the Website? And How Do I Contact the Property Owner?

Anyone visiting the website and browsing the properties listed can see the short description of the property listed. However, to see the full details and to contact the person listing the property you need to be a paid member. You should also make sure you have your property listed on the website so that the other party can see the details and see if they are interested in swapping. To become a paid member, you need to register and make payment by paypal, cheque or bank transfer.

5.  What is the Cost to Register and List My Property? Can I List More Than One Property?

To list a single property the cost is 24.95 Euros. If you have more than one property to list, you can choose an agency account and list unlimited properties. There are no other costs involved with listing your property.

6.  How Long Will My Property be Listed For?

Your property will stay on the site until you remove your advert. It is requested that you regularly update your advert to keep it current and if you sell or swap your property, you remove your advert so the database is up to date.

7.  I Have Seen a Property I am Interested in. What Should I do?

You can send an email to the person listing the property through the website. Make sure you include brief details of the property you have available to swap and any questions you may have about the property. Please only make contact if you are seriously interested in a swap.

8.  What if my Property is Listed for Sale with an Estate Agent?

It is likely that most properties featured on this website will also be listed for sale. This is fine. Just remember that if you sell your property, please come back to this site and delete your advert. Or email me and I will delete it for you.

9.  I Have Agreed a Swap. What is the Next Move?

Both parties should employ independent lawyers to ensure their interests are looked after. If you are swapping for a property located in a different country, please make sure you are familiar with the legal process of buying or selling a house there and the tax liabilities. Ideally both parties should be represented by a lawyer, speaking your native language, in the countries you are buying and selling in.

Please ensure you visit any property you are interested in. It is not recommended to acquire a property either through the conventional buying process or through swapping, without first seeing the property.

10.  I am a Real Estate Agent. Can I Use Your Service?

Of course. An 'agency' account allows you to list unlimited properties for 99 Euros. You can login to your administration area and add, delete or edit listings at any time. It is an incredibly difficult time for anyone trying to sell their property and anyone who makes their living as an estate agent, regardless of the country you work in. If you have clients that are willing to swap their property either for another in the same country or for a different country, then it would be great to have you as a registered agent account here and see your clients' properties listed.

11.  With Thousands of Real Estate Property Websites Online and Several Property Swapping Services How Do I Know My Property Will Get Any Interest?

I cannot of course guarantee you will find a party interested in swapping with you. Much will depend on where you want to swap to and from and what your have available to swap. However, TheTravelBug website has been online for over 4 years now and I have been successfully helping people buy property in Bulgaria for the same amount of time. I have now decided to change directions somewhat. The website still receives a good flow of visitors each month, with around 150,000 hits and 4000 unique visitors. I am constantly promoting the site by various means both on and off line.

I write regularly on my blog and will feature certain properties for swap on there. I also write for the International Property Investment Blog and have had articles published in many other places. I am regularly asked for interviews by the media with regard to my experiences in Bulgaria. Often these on and offline reports feature my website.

At the end of the day I get paid to provide a service. The more successful this service is, the more money I will make. Therefore, it is in my interests to ensure your property gets as much attention as possible.