What to Look for When Choosing a House Sit

A house sit can be a way to have free accommodation while caring for someone’s home and pets. Yes, being a pet sitter comes with responsibilities, but we’ve found it to be a game changer as far as how we travel as a family of five by reducing (or eliminating) accommodation expenses and allowing us to see areas less traveled.

House sitting means you stay in a homeowner’s residence while they’re away, keeping their pet company and monitoring the property. It also means that you’ll have access to home comforts while you’re traveling instead of the restrictions of a hotel room – especially important while I have work to do as we’re traveling as a family.

While you might be excited about finding a house sit that’s in a location you’ve always wanted to visit before you rush to accept a house sit, you’ll want to balance your excitement with a level-headed approach to the responsibilities that come along with staying in someone else’s home.

We’ll dig into what we’ve learned from completing more than two-dozen house sits as a family, but above and beyond the specifics of the pet and property, we would recommend you subscribe to a reputable pet-sitting website where they’ve vetted a homeowner, you can read reviews from previous house sitters, and you have head office’s support if something doesn’t go quite as planned.

Please don’t get on a plane headed around the world based on an invite from someone in a pet sitter Facebook group. Reliable pet sitters and reputable homeowners who are serious about this shared responsibility are willing to subscribe to a house sitting membership to ensure the best experience for both.

We like trusted housesitters because it is the largest platform and has the most opportunity. Here is our 25% discount code for Trusted Housesitters

Key considerations when choosing a house sit:

When choosing a house sit, consider all of the aspects of the arrangement before making a decision:

• Evaluate responsibilities with the pet

• Consider sleeping arrangements (especially if you’re pet sitting as a family)

• Research transportation costs to and from the house sit

• Ensure the home owner’s expectations match your goals as a pet sitter (If they dog needs medication every 2 hours, for instance, that may interfere with your hope to spend the day out sight seeing).

 

What is House Sitting?

House sitting is the practice of staying in someone’s home to care for pets and maintain the property while the owners are away. House sitters often have responsibilities that include keeping the home secure, collecting mail, and caring for pets.

This arrangement provides sitters a unique opportunity to live rent-free while immersing themselves in different local cultures. It’s a win-win situation where homeowners gain peace of mind knowing their home and pets are in good hands, and sitters enjoy the comforts of a home away from home.

Here’s our complete guide on how to find house sitting opportunites.

Why Choose House Sitting and Pet Sitting?

House sitting offers many benefits, making it an appealing option for travelers, whether you’re a single, a couple or a family like us.

One of the most significant advantages is free accommodation, which allows house sitters to save money on housing costs while exploring new places. This cost-saving aspect can make long-term travel more feasible and enjoyable. Additionally, house sitting provides a unique living environment that helps sitters feel more integrated into the local community. Staying in a residential neighborhood instead of a hotel allows sitters to live like locals, gaining deeper insights into the area’s culture and lifestyle.

Listen to stories or live music in a small-town pub, jump on a commuter train to sightsee downtown, or find a local coffee shop away from the tourist areas.

Another reason to choose house sitting is the opportunity to care for pets. Our three boys are pet lovers who enjoy taking care of animals while their owners are away. This added responsibility can make the travel experience more fulfilling and rewarding. Whether it’s walking a dog, feeding cats, or playing with pets, the companionship of animals can enhance the overall house-sitting experience.

For those who love animals, house sitting offers a perfect blend of travel and pet care, creating happy memories and forming bonds with furry friends.

Finding House Sitting Opportunities

Finding the right house-sitting opportunities can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it becomes much easier.

To stand out in a competitive market, consider various platforms and create an engaging profile that shows off you personality to showcase your experience and skills as a house sitter.

Best House Sitting Websites for choosing a house sit

When it comes to finding house sitting opportunities, certain websites stand out for their extensive listings and user-friendly features while others specialize in a particular country or area. We’ve created a run down of the most popular housesitting websites and our take on which to use when.

Now that you’ve found some opportunities….

How to decide if a house sit is right for you

Choosing the right house sit involves evaluating various factors to ensure it aligns with your preferences and needs. Start by having a list of non-negotiables and ideal but flexible options. This approach helps you quickly determine whether a house sit meets your basic requirements or if certain aspects can be adjusted.

Consider the responsibilities involved in the house sit. Evaluate the care needed for pets and whether these duties match your lifestyle and how you want to explore the area. For instance, if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, can the pet be left alone for extended periods, or can they accompany you?

Transportation costs are another critical factor to consider. Assessing the cost of getting to and from the house sit and ongoing transportation expenses is crucial. Will you be bringing your vehicle, or will you rely on public transport? Consider the convenience and cost of transportation, especially if amenities are not within walking distance.

Lastly, consider any unique factors of the house sit, such as off-grid living, maintaining a garden, or a tall flight of stairs with no elevator. Being comfortable with these unique aspects is essential for a successful house sitting experience.

Before agreeing to be a home or pet sitter, consider:

• Sleeping Arrangements

• Transportation costs to and from the house sit

• Responsibilities while you’re pet-sitting

• Unique factors about the pet or property

• Pet care duties

• Home Maintenance Tasks

 

Sleeping Arrangements

Sleeping arrangements are crucial, especially if you’re traveling as a family. Be sure there’s enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably. A specific number of beds or bedrooms might be essential for families.

Consider the climate and whether air conditioning is available in the bedrooms or if the home is near train tracks or an airport that could disturb your sleep. It’s also important to know if pets usually sleep on the bed with the homeowners and whether you’re comfortable with that arrangement.

Being confident you’ll be able to sleep well will help you communicate well with the home owner and take great care of the pet and property you’re there to care for.

Transportation costs to and from the house sit

Transportation costs can significantly impact the value of a house sit. House sitters are responsible for covering their transportation expenses, not the homeowners. It’s important to evaluate whether the duration of the stay justifies the cost of getting to and from the house sit.

For example, spending $1000 flight might be worth it for a three-month stay but may not be for a short three-night house sit. Remember hidden transportation costs, such as additional train or taxi rides beyond your flight. Consider ongoing transportation costs during the house sit, like taxi rides to the grocery store, and whether amenities are walkable.

Since we’re flying as a family of 5, transportation costs are an important consideration and add up much quicker than a single or couple who is traveling. Here’s how we find the best deals on family flights.

If this will be your first time flying with your kids, here are some recommendations for families flying with kids.

Responsibilities

When considering a house sit, evaluating the responsibilities involved is essential. Most house-sitting arrangements are primarily made to care for pets, as many pet owners prefer to keep their animals in familiar environments while they are away. These responsibilities can provide peace of mind to homeowners, knowing their property and pets are well cared for. Long-term house sits often involve significant daily attention to pets, which can be rewarding yet demanding.

Besides pet care, house-sitting assignments typically include regular household chores, home maintenance, and security tasks. Maintaining a clean environment and respecting the homeowner’s belongings are crucial. House sitters ensure the house appears occupied by bringing in the mail and having lights on after dark.

It’s also important to learn the homeowner’s personality and expectations to ensure they match how you want to spend your time during the house sit. If personalities don’t align, it might be best to decline t

At this particular housesit below, the home owner wanted to be sure his ATV was used at least once per week so the fuel didn’t go stale. It was a fun perk of taking our RV to that house sit:

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by McLaughlin Family (@mclaughlinsmakingmemories)

 

Are there any unique factors with your house sit that you may need to consider?

Unique factors can greatly influence your house-sitting experience. For instance, if the home is off-grid or runs on solar power, you need to be comfortable conserving energy and water before accepting that house sit. This might mean skipping a shower or not watching TV in the evening if necessary.

If the property has a garden to maintain, consider whether you are comfortable with tasks like running a lawnmower or weeding. If the property has unique pets, such as a snake, don’t just take the house sit and hope you’ll warm up to the idea if you’re unsure. You might also consider things like flights of stairs with no elevator in a historic building or a walk down a cobble stone road to get to the grocery store if mobility is a consideration.

You may love animals, but if the pet owners have two dozen rabbits, you’ll want to consider that impact on your stay compared to caring for three cats who come and go as they please.

Awareness of and comfort with these unique factors is crucial for a successful house sit.

 

Pet Care Duties

Pet care is often a significant part of house sitting, and assessing the care needed for the pets involved is essential. On Trusted Housesitters – the membership platform we use – less than 1% of listings are homes without pets. Here are some common responsibilities for house sitters:

1. Administering medications if necessary (not often).

2. Walking dogs to ensure they get enough exercise.

3. Following the feeding schedule provided by the homeowners, as different pets have different frequencies and requirements.

4. For large dogs, specific duties might include an hour-long, fast-paced walk each day to keep them healthy and happy, compared to a small dog may just need a wander around the block.

5. Cleaning the cat litter box

6. Counting the bison (ok, that was one of our most exotic house sit pets)

 

Daily interaction with pets is part of the responsibility. If you’re planning to be out for business meetings all day, you may consider a home with fish or a tortoise or a pet that doesn’t need ongoing attention, but clearly, this wouldn’t be a fit for a dog who needs to be walked mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Home Maintenance Tasks

House sitting often involves various home maintenance tasks to keep the property maintained. Common tasks include watering plants, collecting mail, cutting the grass, and ensuring property security. These responsibilities can vary by assignment but generally involve keeping plants healthy and locking the home when you leave.

Cleaning responsibilities may also be part of the agreement with the homeowner, but even if there’s a cleaner coming into the home for a deep clean, treat the home as your own and keep it tidy and clean up after yourself. House sitters should be mindful of the usage of the house and its utilities to ensure everything runs smoothly during their stay.

What to ask the Home Owner before agreeing to a house sit

Every house sitting conversation is different based on the information given in the listing, the types of pets, and even the time of year can change the details of a housesit.

We always consider what could impede us from enjoying a house sit and start our questions there. Remember, we’re not being picky or negative – we simply want to be sure we can meet the homeowner’s expectations as a pet sitter.

Here are the questions we like to ask when considering a pet sit:

• If we’re traveling by plane or train (as opposed to driving ourselves), which is the closest airport or train station? How far away is that and what’s your recommendation for getting from there to your home?

• How long are the pets usually left on their own at a time? (if the homeowner works away from home, they may typically be gone the whole day, but some come home for lunch, and others work from home, and the pet is only left for a few hours at a time.)

• We don’t smoke and we’re sensitive to the smell. Is your home smoke free?

• If we’re considering bringing our RV as we’re traveling on route, we’ll ask about room to park in the driveway.

• We then ask about sleeping arrangements for our family of 5. If it’s a few nights, the boys can crash on a couch if needed. If it’s longer, then we want everyone to have a proper bed. If we’re bringing our trailer, then some (or all) of us can sleep in our trailer.

• Have you had any negative experiences with house sitters before, or is there anything you would like us to specifically be aware of for your pet and property?

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by McLaughlin Family (@mclaughlinsmakingmemories)

 

Frequently Asked Questions about choosing a house sit:

What should I consider when choosing a house sit?

When choosing a house sit, make sure to think about transportation costs, pet care responsibilities, and how comfortable the sleeping arrangements will be. These details can make a big difference in your experience! 

Why should I choose house sitting?

Choosing house sitting lets you enjoy free accommodation while immersing yourself in a new culture and caring for adorable pets—what’s not to love? It’s a fantastic way to travel and make new furry friends at the same time!

How can I find house sitting opportunities?

You can easily find opportunities through house sit platforms like TrustedHousesitters, HouseCarers, and Nomador. Just sign up and browse listings that match your availability! We prefer trusted housesitters. Here’s our Trustedhousesitters.com review that explains why.

How do I prepare for a house sit?

To prepare for a house sit, apply for local sits to build your reviews and communicate clearly with homeowners about expectations and responsibilities. This ensures a smooth experience for both you and the homeowners.

Are house sitting jobs safe?

House sitting jobs are generally safe, especially when arranged through reputable platforms like Trusted Housesitters. Always conduct due diligence by researching the homeowners, checking references, and setting clear expectations in advance. Trust your instincts and communicate openly to ensure a comfortable arrangement for both parties.

How much can I earn from house sitting?

Earnings from house sitting can vary significantly. Many house-sitting jobs offer free accommodations in exchange for services rather than monetary compensation. However, some jobs may provide a stipend or salary, especially when pet care or extensive maintenance is involved. It’s essential to clarify compensation terms before accepting a job.

We’ve always used housesitting as an opportunity to save money on accommodation. We’re not looking for compensation, and we find that a trade through a platform like Trusted Housesitters Premium Tier is preferable to interviewing for a job (often with minimal compensation and restrictions when you’re not a citizen of the respective country).

What qualifications do I need for house sitting?

While formal qualifications aren’t typically required, credible references, prior experience, and a clean background check can enhance your profile. Skills in pet care, gardening, security, and home maintenance are often valuable to homeowners.

Is there a demand for house sitters in my area?

Demand for house sitters can vary by location. Urban and tourist areas may have a higher demand, especially during holiday seasons when homeowners travel. Our best recommendation is to register for a website that gives you a trail period and see what’s available.

We’ve completed house sits in major cities like Zurich, Stuttgart, Glasgow, and San Jose, and also remote areas in France, Canada, and England.

Can I travel the world by house sitting?

Yes, house sitting can be a fantastic way to travel the world affordably. Many house sit platforms list international opportunities, allowing you to explore new destinations while having accommodation. It’s crucial to plan and coordinate logistics, such as visas and travel arrangements, for international sits.

How do I build a good reputation as a house sitter?

Building a good reputation involves consistently delivering excellent service, maintaining open communication, and respecting homeowners’ property and privacy. Encourage homeowners to leave positive reviews and testimonials on your profile, enhancing your credibility and attracting more opportunities.

Subscribing to a premium tier on a platform like trusted housesitters also indicates to home owners that you’re willing to invest a bit extra in participating on the platform.

What responsibilities are typically involved in house sitting jobs?

Responsibilities often include basic home maintenance, security, pet care, garden upkeep, and sometimes managing deliveries or mail. Ensure you clarify the specific duties with homeowners beforehand to align expectations.

Are there long-term house sitting opportunities available?

Long-term house-sitting opportunities do exist and can range from a few weeks to several months. These assignments are ideal for individuals seeking stability or a deeper cultural experience. Platforms like TrustedHousesitters often feature long-term listings, but spotting and securing them may require diligence and flexibility.

How can I find the best pet sitter as a home owner?

We’ve never been on the pet-pwner side of the table, but from our experience as pet sitters, here’s what we we recommend you look for when choosing a petsitting (and what to ask when interviewing) while you’re traveling for vacation or business.