Recently, we chatted with Bri. She used to house-sit with just her partner, but now they have recently added a member to their house-sitting family!
Find out how Bri and Trevor started with house sitting and tips for house sitting and traveling with a baby.
Tell us a little about yourself – who you are, where you are from, and whether you do it full-time or sporadically.
A: We’re Bri, Trevor, and Ember, an adventure-loving family from the Kansas City area!
Trevor and I (Bri) traveled sporadically and wwoof/housesit/workaway.
Then came Ember and COVID, so all travels were paused as we regained our bearings as a new family of 3.
Now, we’re on a full-time, worldwide housesitting/wwoofing/whatever else comes our way kind of adventure with no end in sight.
Was it hard for you to secure your first housesitting gig? How many applications did you have to send before you got accepted for your first assignment?
A: Not at all! We sent out one inquiry in Europe and ran with it from there.
The family was lovely, and we chatted back and forth for a while about logistics and questions we both had, but soon enough, we were packing our bags.
Why did you do petsitting? What is the main motivation?
A: Housesitting is such a great way to see new areas—some we may never have considered visiting otherwise!
It’s a mutual exchange. We feel good about caring for someone else’s space and treasures while also getting to live there during that time.
It gives us the time and resources to travel much longer and more freely than if we didn’t have these opportunities.
How much luggage do you travel with?
We have much more than we used to now that we have a little one alone, but I still think we fall below the norm. We’re a pretty minimal family and appreciate quality over quantity.
Our luggage is usually the equivalent of a hiking pack and carry-on for Trevor and me and a duffel bag and carry-on for Ember.
Want to try House Sitting As Well?
There are thousands of opportunities to house sit around the world!
Check out the resources here to get started as a house sitter.
Pros of House Sitting?
Freedom to travel to and explore new places we may not have visited otherwise.
Ability to work remotely and save financially while seeing the world.
Contributing to someone else’s ability to travel and also take time away!
Cons of House Sitting?
A: Moving into someone else’s space for the first time can be nerve-wracking.
You put a lot of trust in the people you are sitting for, to be honest, and fair, and while it has always worked out for us, I know that isn’t the case for everyone.
Depending on the situation, it can definitely become a full-time job between animal care, cleaning, gardening, etc, leaving little time actually to explore.
I feel like every con can easily be mitigated, though, with some due diligence upfront! So getting a cat sitter checklist is a good idea that way you fee like everything is covered.
How do you decide on a destination?
We usually set our sights on a next destination or a few options we’d like to explore and then see what opportunities arise in those areas!
Tips for others wanting to get started?
A: I think the best way to approach housesitting and life in general is to be open-minded.
So many wonderful experiences are just outside of our comfort zones, and sitting is a great opportunity to be courageous and try a new place or way of life.
Be honest about your expectations and abilities, but also be honest with yourself about ways that you can stand to grow and adapt to experience new things.
Where to next (when you can)
A: We’re in Alberta now, so our next stop is British Columbia! Hopefully, after that, Costa Rica, Europe, and then New Zealand or Australia. Though, we’re up for anywhere!
Want to try House Sitting As Well?
There are thousands of opportunities to house sit around the world!
Check out the resources here to get started as a house sitter.
Are You Ready to Start House Sitting?
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.
