Trip Coach: October 14, 2008

Joanna Goddard: Hi! This is Joanna Goddard, and I'm excited to talk with you today about house swapping. So, let's get started!

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New York, N.Y.: How much prep of your own place did you do re: cleaning, "hiding" personal stuff, closet space, etc.? Have you swapped overseas? We'd like to spend a month in Rome in the future, and ideally, to swap apartments the entire stay.

Joanna Goddard: To prepare our apartment for apartment swappers, we cleaned it top-to-bottom. We scoured the bathroom, washed the dishes, swept the floors, tidied up and, of course, set out clean sheets and towels.

Many people are worried about their personal valuables, like computers and cameras. We've done about 10 swaps and have never hidden anything—and have never had a problem. I think when people swap apartments, there is an implicit trust, since you're in their house, too!

But, if you want to be extra safe, you can buy a small locker from IKEA, so you can lock things away. Or you can create an "owner's closet" by attaching a latch and padlock to a closet, and putting your valuables inside.

Finally, I have swapped overseas—to Berlin and Paris (twice). Both apartments were fabulous! You can find many Rome apartments on craigslist.org. Good luck and have fun!!

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Saint Augustine, Fla.: In this day of identity theft, how do you insure that there is not some stray piece of paper with an account number, etc., inadvertently left around?

Joanna Goddard: Before your swappers arrive, make sure to put your bills and mail in a locker or tuck them in a bottom drawer, where people won't see them.

That said, when you're arranging an apartment swap, you see photos of the people's house and exchange many emails (and, if you'd like, phone calls). So you get a real sense of who these people are and what they're like. After emailing with them about their favorite local restaurants and swapping keys through the mail with a nice little note, you come to feel as if you're friends with them. Trust me, once you get started, apartment swapping is a lot less scary than it sounds!

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