Recently, we chatted with Lance. With his family of five, they house-sit around the USA! They travel from house-sit to house-sit in their fifth-wheel trailer and are ready to share their house-sitting adventures with us!
Tell us a little bit about your family – who are you, where are you from, for, do you do it full-time or sporadically
My name is Lance, and my wife, Bethany, and I have been married for 14 years and have created three wonderful little humans.
Our daughter Roxy is 11 years old, our son Reneau is coming in at 9, and the caboose Cairo is 7 years old. Until three months ago, we made our home in Utah. However, the outdoors called us, and we live for new adventures, great relationships, and unforgettable, though sometimes regrettable, experiences.
Life for us is lived on the road. Our fifth-wheel trailer, which our kids have loved, given the appellation “Cheugy Cougy,” serves as both our chariot to new escapades and our home.
Education is delivered to our children’s developing minds by two highly underqualified individuals who are probably learning more by
teaching than the students.
Some days are jam-packed with activities, others relaxing and mindlessly scrolling on devices until our beds beckon us and we drift into a deep slumber.
Why do you housesit? What is the main motivation?
Our kids have a deep love for animals. With our lifestyle, having a pet would be possible but not very practical. Taking care of pets via house sitting has brought them so much joy.
They quickly fall in love with the animals and miss them greatly the day we leave. House sitting allows us to take a small break from the road.
A couple of hundred square feet sounds like a massive living space for a family of five, however, occasionally it is nice to have a little more room and luxuries like a washer and dryer, full-size shower, and a domicile that doesn’t shake every time someone gets up to pee.
How did you find out about house sitting?
A friend had posted about house sitting and the great experiences they had enjoyed taking care of homes and pets.
When I contacted him to inquire about their undertaking as house sitters, he gave me positive feedback.
From that jump-off point, the Google machine provided us with the information and the tools we required to begin.
Pros of House Sitting?
The upside to house sitting far outweighs the downsides if the proper steps are taken to ensure the pets and owners match you. Some pets require a little more care and love than others, and can be taxing if you are not prepared to take on the weight of the responsibility.
Most cons can be evaded through open and honest communication with the homeowner before booking the job.
Making new friends, enjoying time with great animals, and exploring new cities and places at a very low to no cost attracted us to the lifestyle.
Cons of House Sitting
It can be difficult and sometimes demoralizing to apply, apply, apply, apply,y and face a veritable mountain of rejection.
Equally, at times, a sit is booked and then canceled, which can also be disheartening. But fret not, young sitters. Power through; victory is but one application away!
How much luggage do you travel with?
In terms of luggage, well, we bring everything we own with us. This can pose a problem as many places, especially in larger cities, cannot accommodate a 36-foot trailer.
Our engagements tend to be in residential to rural areas, but also provide some peace of mind to homeowners that they don’t need to provide any type of entertainment for the kids, as we will bring it with us.
They have enjoyed playing with Legos and pretending in the trailer while on site, where pets would not do well with their items in the house.
The kids have been so great at caring for not just the pets but also the property. We deep clean as a family and try to find at least one project per sit to do for the homeowner.
On one sit that was deep cleaning the fridge and getting some unknown sticky residue from under the crisper drawers, on another job it was to clean out the vacuum from all the pet hair and dust.
Where has been your favorite house sit?
To date, our favorite house-sitting experience was in Virginia Beach, VA. The assignment was a bit unique: The homeowners were in the process of moving, with most of their homes packed in boxes. A completely self-sufficient family was the perfect fit!
There was one cat and he was very low maintenance but very aware that it was his territory and we were only there to take care of him on his schedule, typical cat.
We fell in love with the area, the beach was beautiful, and the home was in a calm and quiet place close to many activities.
We have had wonderful sits all around, Nashville was an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Where to next (when you can)
We have completed four sits to date and have a few scheduled toward the end of the year. As our resume grows, so do our opportunities. Ultimately, at some point, we would like to go international and experience more of the world through the friendships we make as housesitters.
Need Help Getting Started With House Sitting?
Have we got you excited about house-sitting? We love sharing house-sitting experiences and teaching others how to become house-sitters and start their journeys.
So, if you need help starting your house-sitting journey, see my resources here, and don’t hesitate to contact me and ask me any questions.
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.
Are You Ready to Start House Sitting?
