House sitting is a concept that’s been around for a while.
But it’s become increasingly more popular.
For myself, it’s been eye-opening and a wonderful way to scratch the travel itch!
Not only is there the fabulous opportunity of accommodation with all the mod cons, but endless pet cuddles!
If you don’t have any experience house sitting you can still land assignments!
I think it’s fantastic for the following reasons:
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Get a No-Cost Short-term Pet Fix
High on the list of pluses is the ability to get my pet fixed.
Time marches on, and children grow up.
The last of our beloved pets heartbreakingly passed on. I decided I didn’t want the responsibility of our animals for the time being.
But as an animal lover, I missed the company of pets.
Enter house sitting!
As a house sitter, I have the pleasure of being a short-term pet mum. All without the cost and responsibility of pet ownership.
And the pet care on offer can be varied and interesting. In my time house sitting, I’ve cared for snakes, peacocks, and even an adorable hedgehog! You might be thinking that you can only house sit if you look after pets, that is a house sitting myth, there are plenty of home owners who have second homes or just need someone to sign for parcel or tend to the jungle of indoor plants there have.
Lots of Animal Affection
Animal lovers will know the bond that develops between an animal and a human.
It’s one of life’s great pleasures.
When you’re traveling you can miss this unique connection.
With pet sitting you have the opportunity to experience the joy of taking care of pets.
And the bond tends to develop pretty quickly – you are the one feeding. playing and walking them after all!
And once that bond is established, you have all the cuddles and affection you’ve missed.
Explore Places You’d Otherwise Have Missed
Another highlight for me was the variety of areas I visited.
Places I hadn’t heard of until a potential house sit became available.
You can have a house sit right in the center of a busy city, a luxury house, or a quiet countryside home.
Or maybe your want to visit a really expensive city in Europe or you can live in a cheapest city in Europe both with house sitting!
No matter where you go, you can find some spectacular sightseeing opportunities.
Things that you may have otherwise not experienced.
Housesitting is wonderful for opening your eyes to the world.
Get Some Much-Needed Exercise and Social Contact
A leisurely walk with your furry companion is a great way to get some exercise. And gives you the chance to meet the local neighborhood.
Having the responsibility of walking a pet is good for encouraging you out of the house and out into the world.
And you’ll be surprised who you meet along the way. You could find yourself enjoying wine and cheese with the dog owner 3 doors up!
Having The Amenities Of Home
Staying in a house sit for some time, compared to a hotel is a much more pleasurable experience.
Whilst some homes might be modest, the vast majority come with the amenities of home.
Kettle, toasters, washing machines, internet, and cooking facilities are standard with most properties.
Not only will you have a bathroom to yourself, but you’ll also be able to catch up on the laundry.
Set yourself up for the next leg of your travel plans.
What better way to wind down than on the couch, pet on your lap, watching television, or reading a book?
This also helpful is your house sitting as a family it good to have a laundry and a ktichen
No Home Maintenance or Large Chores
House sitting is not completely without its responsibilities. But there will be no painting of walls, digging gardens, or major cleaning jobs!
The most you will need to do is look after the animal’s immediate needs and water plants!
That leaves you with plenty of time to enjoy yourself without the guilt of neglected jobs.
And Of Course – Free Rent!
Saving money on accommodation costs is a bonus!
That means extra money for travel adventures and activities. An enticing thought for digital nomads! The only additional costs will be your expenses.
Funnily enough, it’s usually not the sole motivator for most to house sit.
The thought of animals and a comfortable home environment are often more enticing.
House sitting works because it’s increasingly more expensive to board pets.
Especially for long periods. And most pet owners would rather maintain their pet’s day-to-day routine.
As a sitter, it feels like we are on the winning side. But it’s a beneficial exchange of services for the pets and their owners as well.
So, How Do You Become A House Sitter?
Sign up with one of the reputable house-sitting websites. Sites like Nomador or Trusted House Sitters.
For a small membership fee, you’ll have access to a wide range of potential house-sitting opportunities across the world.
Sits can vary from a weekend, a couple of weeks, to extended periods of a long-term house sit.
You don’t need any special skills, other than the love of animals. And a touch of a green thumb for those beloved house plants.
How to Be The Perfect House Sitter
Being an awesome house or pet sitter isn’t too difficult.
In exchange for free accommodation, you’ll be expected to carry out the responsibilities, as dictated by the owners, you can house sitter job description here. It gives you gives the responsibilities or tasks you may be asked to do.
These tasks are usually just basic pet care, though some pets may have more finicky needs than others.
The advantages of house sitting far outweigh the responsibilities.
Before you leave, give the entire house the once over.
Leave it as clean as you found it, with happy pets and you’ll receive your 5-star reviews.
The more positive feedback you have, the easier it will be to secure more house-sitting gigs.
Of course, house sitting isn’t all sunshine and roses. There is some work and responsibility required.
If your holidays are about 24/7 parties and you aren’t an animal lover this probably isn’t for you.
But for fellow homebodies and digital nomads, it’s a great solution.
House sitting jobs are a fantastic way to cut costs while enjoying a home-based lifestyle.
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.
