House Sitting: A Side Hustle For Students

College students always need extra money. It’s hard to separate lucrative side hustles from scams. Is house-sitting a good option for a college student? Or should students stay away from this type of gig?

Keep reading and so you can decide if house-sitting is the perfect side hustle for you!

What Is House Sitting?

House sitting is a job that requires the sitter to maintain a house when the homeowners are unable to. Many homeowners pay sitters to ensure their house stays in good shape. A lot of pet owners will hire someone to perform pet sitting, as well.

Professional house sitters perform general house maintenance. They water plants, get the mail, and mow the grass. Anything necessary to keep a house running in good shape can be a part of the sitter’s job description. This may include cleaning the pool or tending to the garden.

A lot of sitting jobs include the need for a pet sitter. Maybe you just need to care for the cats or walk the dogs. Perhaps you need to feed the pigs or groom the horses. While it’s rare to sit for more uncommon animals, the opportunity occasionally arises.

Is House Sitting Good For College Students?

House sitting is a great job for someone who has spare time and needs extra money. College students can usually make this job work with their schedules.

While house sitting can be a part-time job, it can also be a full-time job. This flexible side hustle idea allows you to make as much extra income as you’re able to!

How Hard Is House Sitting?

While house sitting isn’t as easy as it sounds at first, it’s not difficult. Some jobs will be harder than others. However, it’s usually fairly easy.

You have responsibilities so you can’t just lounge around. You may even have a schedule to follow. This makes it hard to do other things. However, it’s not much harder to house-sit than it is to care for your own home.

How Much Do House Sitters Make?

Pay for house sitting differs by location. In a smaller city, you may make $30-50 a night. In larger cities, you could make up to $100 a night.

Other factors that determine pay are the sitter’s experience and duties. A rookie house sitter will make less money than a veteran sitter. You can also charge someone with 5 dogs more money than you would someone with no pets.

Can You House Sit With A Busy Schedule?

House sitting is great for remote workers or online students. However, you can sit locally if you have a busy schedule. If you are in class all day long, you may not be able to take a job that requires you to let the dog out every 4 hours. But some jobs would still work for you!

If you spend a lot of time doing homework and studying, you could easily do that while house-sitting. Set up a study area in the house and get to work while cuddling with your furry friends!

How To Become A House Sitter

There are several online platforms where you can create a profile. This is a great way to connect you with potential clients. Some of these websites or apps have membership fees. This ensures a better experience than a lot of free housesitting sites.

House Sitters America and Trusted House Sitters have good house-sitting opportunities. Online marketplaces are the easiest way to find jobs, but you can also find local jobs through word of mouth.

After creating a profile, make sure you stand out. Apply for housesitting gigs and open a line of communication with your clients. The more approachable you are, the more likely clients will give you a good review!

College students who don’t mind extra responsibility should consider this side hustle. They can make it work with their schedules so they can earn money while earning a degree.

Author: Britt

I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.

The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.

I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.

Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.

I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!

You can read more about Jay and me here!

Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.

House Sitting in Salon-de-Provence
Me (Britt) House Sitting in Salon-de-Provence, France

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