Looking for house sitters to keep your home and pets safe and to save on kennel fees? Whether you’re traveling for work or vacation, you want to focus on being where you’ve arrived, not concerned about what’s happening back home. We started pet sitting as a family in 2022, and as of writing this post, we’ve completed 23 pet sits through Trusted Housesitters in 7 different countries.
Based on our experience pet sitting around the world, here’s what we look for in a house sitting opportunity, and we hope our insight can help you find the best person, couple, or family for your house sit.
(Affiliate disclosure: If you choose to make a purchase based on a recommended link, we may receive a commission at no cost to you)
This guide explains how to find reliable sitters, the benefits they offer, and tips for choosing the right one. We’ll also talk about how to make your house sitting listing most appealing for the best possible candidate to take notice.
Here are the highlights:
- Find reliable house sitters by exploring online platforms, checking reviews, and arranging interviews to ensure they meet your needs.
- Using house sitters offers peace of mind, providing reliable care for your home and pets, and avoiding costs associated with kennels.
- Create an attractive house sitting profile by highlighting local experiences with your pet, an overview of your property including photos, a bit about yourself, and asking for references to draw in quality sitters.
- Disclosure: We use and love Trusted Housesitters. We haven’t tried any other platforms because we’re really happy with what we’ve been using BUT be sure to check out all different housesitting platforms before making a decision. Each offers different features and benefits that might be helpful for your needs.
How to Find Reliable House Sitters
Reliable house sitters are vital in keeping your home secure and caring for your pets. Start by considering all potential options, including non-obvious choices like neighbors, friends, relatives, and co-workers. House sitters help prevent vandalism and burglary by keeping your home occupied.
Thorough background checks help verify a sitter’s trustworthiness. Here are some steps to help you find the best sitters:
Search Online Platforms
Numerous online platforms can connect you with house sitters around the world. Websites like TrustedHousesitters, HouseCarers, and Rover provide a range of house sitting opportunities, and are a great way to find someone to care for your home and pet.
As the largest site, TrustedHousesitters provides a vast array of opportunities in various countries. This also means that it attracts the largest pool of sitters, so you’ve got the most available pet sitters for your time away.Trusted Housesitters has the highest membership fees, but you’re likely to get multiple applicants quickly because of the large pool of users, and you’ll still be saving plenty of money compared to the cost of a kennel or boarding.
Don’t be too quick to accept a house sitter (unless you’re in a real time crunch). Be sure to let a few people apply, read their applications carefully, and …. check reviews and references!
Check Reviews and References
Reviews and references are invaluable resources for evaluating potential sitters. Browsing feedback from previous home owners and pet parents can provide insights into a sitter’s reliability and care. Established platforms often feature user reviews, helping homeowners quickly assess the reliability of sitters.
References from former homeowners can solidify a sitter’s credibility. Trusted profiles with reliable feedback assist homeowners in selecting sitters. You might also consider the number of reviews, and the specifics of the review. If you have a unique pet, or have a pet who requires unique care (like medications, for instance) then you might consider a pet sitter who has already had that experience.
We’ve got a perfect record of 5-star reviews, so look for both quality and quantity in a potential house sitter
Arrange Interviews
Interviews are a key step in choosing the right sitter. Meeting potential sitters at your home helps assess their suitability. Video calls are a good alternative when in-person meetings aren’t possible (which most of the time will be the case – at least for us). Since we’re traveling full-time, we’re rarely in the area where we’ll have a house sit to show up for an interview, so we use Whatsapp or FaceTime in almost every case.
It may seem like you’ve found the right sitter and don’t need to have an interview, but as a sitter, we actually won’t accept a house sitting opportunity without the interview. We want to meet you as the home owner and find out the questions we have just as much as you’re hoping to meet us.
During interviews, ask specific questions about previous house sitting or pet sitting experiences to gauge their capability. Preparing specific questions helps both parties assess compatibility and clarify expectations.
What to ask during a pet sitting or house sitting interview
Interviews are your chance to ensure the sitter is a good match for your needs. Inquire about their experience with pet care, including tasks like administering medication. Inquire about their expectations for arrival and departure, including their mode of transportation.
Specify requests like cooking restrictions or quiet hours in your apartment building to ensure the sitter understands your needs. This will help ensure your potential house sitter can honor your needs and provide the best care for your home and pets.
- Where are you coming from before the house sit? Are there any chances of delays? (like a same-day flight, for instance)
- What time will you need to leave at the end of the house sit? Will there be an overlap, or will the pets be fine for a few hours between the house sitter leaving and you – the homeowner – arriving back home?
- Are the pet sitters smokers? Are you satisfied that they’ll only smoke outside if that’s the agreement?
- Will you have enough space to accommodate all of the travelers? Is it a family, a couple, or just a single person? (We’ll sometimes bring our RV to a house sit so our kids can sleep in their own beds!)
- When will they be available to meet the pets and get a tour of the property? Will that be the same day you leave or ahead of time?
Benefits of Using House Sitters
Using house sitters offers numerous benefits for homeowners. It ensures your home is maintained and your pets are cared for while you’re away. Setting a communication schedule in advance (like checking in when on the way to the house sit, or when their plane lands a few days before as confirmation) can prevent misunderstandings and keep you informed. Clear expectations and responsibilities lead to a positive experience for both parties.
You’ll also benefit from meeting new people and hearing the stories of their travels. We stay in touch with homeowners leading up to our house sit (and some will choose to follow our family travels on Instagram) so we feel like we’ve known each other and we’re meeting up with friends, even if we’re in person together for the first time.
Years later, we still have homeowners that we keep in touch with who follow along on our travels.
Hear about travel stories from people all over who come to pet sit for you
Free Accommodation
One of the primary benefits for house sitters is free accommodation. This mutually beneficial arrangement allows sitters to receive free lodging in return for their services. While each platform is different, through Trusted Housesitters, we don’t pay the homeowners for the use of their house, and they don’t pay us for caring for their pets, so the only cost involved is the membership fee,
Be sure to look for sitters who are genuinely interested in caring for your home and pets rather than just those seeking free lodging. While they’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore the area while at your house (like when we petsitting in England andwere able to take our kids to Stonehenge), avoid any red flags that might tell you they are primarily focused on free accommodation.
Pet Care
Sitters offer crucial pet care, letting pets remain in their familiar environment, thus reducing stress for both pets and owners. By having house sitters, pets can remain in their usual surroundings, which is vital for their well-being. House sitters also offer companionship, ensuring pets are not lonely during their owner’s absence.
This arrangement can save homeowners money on kennels and provide peace of mind, knowing their pets are well cared for in their own homes.
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Peace of Mind
Most importantly, hiring house sitters provides homeowners peace of mind. You can focus on your travels while your home is maintained and your pets are cared for. Regular updates and photos from your pet sitter can further alleviate concerns, ensuring a positive experience.
This sense of security is invaluable, making house sit house sitting an excellent choice for homeowners.
Creating an Attractive House Sitting Profile As A Home Owner
An appealing house sitting profile attracts quality sitters. Emphasize your home’s best features and unique local experiences for sitters. Adding photos of your home and pets greatly enhances your profile’s appeal. Use all of your available photo slots. If there are 20 pictures available, then post all of those – we want to see you with your pet, and your pet enjoying your home.
References from previous sitters can bolster your credibility and attract more applicants by showcasing your relevant experience. Review every pet sitter immediately so they’ll be encouraged to review your home in return. Here are some tips to make your profile stand out.
Make sure your profile is complete, and the title of your housesit opportunity is accurate. You’d be surprised how many housesitting titles we see like “Spend a week relaxing in the pool with our golden retriever!” just to realize that must have been the title for the listing when they first went away in August, but I doubt we’ll be getting pool time when we apply for the current house sit which is 3 weeks in February.
On Trusted Housesitters, we can sort listings that can accommodate families and listings that are accessible by public transportation, so be sure that your listing includes these details accurately to avoid complications with your sitter’s expectations.
Having a complete listing will help you find the best sitter for your needs.
Highlight Experiences In Your Area That A House Sitter Can Enjoy
Showcasing unique experiences in your area can make your profile more appealing to house sitters. Reference experiences that past sitters have enjoyed and activities that your pet sitter and your pet can enjoy together (like a local hiking trail or dog park).
Look for brochures at local hotels or tourist attractions and mention these activities in your profile. Have a few on hand for your guests to browse when they arrive so they can decide how to make the most of their stay.
This can help potential sitters envision their stay and look forward to exploring your location.
We’ve chosen house sits at times solely based on location, and at other times, based on dates and availability. Don’t exaggerate by claiming you’re near a major landmark only to find out you’re actually not that close to it. Just let us know why you love your area, what’s within walking distance, and what we can expect to do during our stay.
Include Photos of Your Home and Pet in your listing
Clear and friendly photos of your home and pets are essential to attract potential sitters. Photos build trust and connection, making your profile more personable and trustworthy. Profiles with photos attract more attention and enhance your credibility. Use every photo slot available in your profile. If you can load 12 photos, then upload 12 photos.
Your first photo should be your home (not a picture of the downtown area in walking distance or your pet at a park nearby). We want to see where we’ll be staying, just as much as you’d like to know who may be staying in your home. We want to be sure it’s a fit for us.
Remember that we’ll make a decision whether or not to click your listing solely based on the first photo and the description. Make them count!
Blurry photos or only photos of your pet sitting on a couch are not going to give us the impression of what to expect if we choose to stay at your house.
You might think that your home is rather modest, but being in a small cottage in the country or a small apartment right in the heart of a noisy city might be the exact type of adventure that your house sitter is looking for. Represent your home and your pets well with plenty of photos, and include descriptions with each of those photos so we know exactly what we’re seeing on your house-sitting platform profile.
Ask for References From Previous Petsitters
References from past sitters can significantly bolster your profile’s credibility and attract more sitters. Gathering references from past sitters can greatly enhance your trustworthiness. If this is your first time having a pet sitter, ask for a referral from a neighbor about how well your dog gets along with their kids, or trade houses for a weekend with a relative and have them leave a review about how welcoming your pets were while you were away.
References can help others understand how easy your property is to reach and how well your pets warmed up to previous sitters. This can make your profile more appealing to potential sitters.
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Understanding Petsitting Membership Fees
Membership fees play a crucial role in pet-sitting platforms. Fees support platform operations and maintain community safety and reliability. Paying membership fees offers peace of mind and improves the house-sitting experience, as those fees verify a housesitter’s identity and provide coverage for unforeseen damage.
Use our coupon code here to save 25% on your Trusted Housesitters membership.
What Are Membership Fees?
Membership fees are the costs to join house sitting websites. These fees grant access to platform services, aiding in verifying and connecting sitters with homeowners.
Some platforms have a small membership fee, then you pay your house sitter on a per-day or per-visit basis. You might also have to pay per listing in some cases – if you travel twice per year, you pay for two listings. Others (like Trusted Housesitters), have a higher membership fee, but you can list as many times as you would like per year, and there’s no expectation to pay the pet sitter.
Value for Money
Services provided through membership fees improve the experience for both homeowners and sitters. These fees provide sitters with verified opportunities and access to a wide range of homeowners in need of their services. Membership fees connect homeowners with reliable sitters, ensuring safer home care.
This ultimately contributes to peace of mind for homeowners during their time away.
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Mistakes Home Owners Should Avoid When Looking For A House Sitter
Avoiding common mistakes is key to finding the right house sitter. Clearly communicate your expectations to prevent misunderstandings. Make sure no one else has access to your home during the sitter’s stay to avoid discomfort and security issues. Provide pictures of your property and pet to help sitters determine if your home is suitable for them.
Address any issues with the sitter directly before involving the platform. Here’s a specific mistake to avoid.
Down exaggerate or downplay details about your home or pet
Be honest when describing your home and pets. Inform potential sitters if you smoke in your home to avoid surprises. Clarify transportation if your home is accessible by limited public transport.
Inform sitters of any specific needs your pet may have, such as medication or reactions to certain people. This ensures the sitter can provide the best care and avoid any uncomfortable situations.
Finding Last-Minute House Sitters
Occasionally, plans change, necessitating last-minute house sitters. Using trusted platforms can greatly increase your chances of finding reliable sitters on short notice. Features like location and availability filters on these platforms simplify the search process.
Here are some tips for last-minute needs.
Use Trusted Platforms
Reputable websites offering last-minute options can simplify the search process. We would not recommend posting on facebook and hoping that your friend’s neighbors’ cousin is a reliable housesitter that you’re going to settle for because you’re in a pinch.
Email alerts for new listings on trusted house sitter apps and platforms can help you find sitters quickly. Trusted platforms provide immediate access to sitters, useful in urgent situations.
Trusted housesitters, for instance, allows users to save search results based on a particular parameter (like a city they’ve been wanting to visit) so even if your house sit is last minute, this could send an alert to users who have saved your specific parameters.
Be Flexible
Being flexible is key to finding last-minute sitters. Open travel dates can greatly improve your chances of finding available sitters. Maybe a neighbor can feed your cat the first night if that gives you some flexibility for your house sitters to travel on short notice. Adjusting experience or skill requirements can attract more applicants, leading to the perfect match.
A flexible approach not only helps find a sitter quickly but also enhances your travel experience.
Summary
To sum up, finding the best house sitters and pet sitters involves thorough research, clear communication, and flexibility. By using trusted platforms, checking reviews, arranging interviews, and creating an attractive profile, you can secure reliable sitters. Understanding membership fees and avoiding common mistakes will further enhance your experience. With these tips, you can enjoy your travels with peace of mind, knowing your home and pets are in good hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find reliable house sitters?
To find reliable house sitters, stick to reputable online platforms, read reviews, check references, and don’t hesitate to arrange interviews. This way, you can ensure you’re choosing someone trustworthy for your home.
What should I ask during a pet sitting interview?
Make sure to ask about their experience with pet care and any specific requests you have for your home. This will help ensure they’re a good fit for your furry friend!
What are the benefits of using house sitters?
Using house sitters offers homeowners peace of mind knowing their property and pets are well cared for in a familiar environment, while sitters enjoy free accommodation. It’s a win-win situation!
How can I make my house sitting profile more attractive?
Enhance your house sitting profile by showcasing unique local experiences and including inviting photos of your home and pets. Don’t forget to gather references from previous sitters to build credibility!
What are pet sitting membership fees, and are they worth it?
Pet sitting membership fees give you access to reliable opportunities and can enhance your experience significantly. Whether they’re worth it depends on how often you use the service and the peace of mind it offers you. We know that Trusted Housesitters is the most expensive platform, but it’s also the largest and has the most users to help you choose the right person for your house sit, PLUS you can save 25% on your membership with this link!
