While house sitting can be a good way to cut travel costs, there are some things we wish we had known before signing up that would have saved us a lot of time. Five months in and three long house sits later, we can happily say that house sitting is a worthwhile travel hack, once you know how to navigate it.
When we first signed up for our working holiday visa in New Zealand, we immediately knew that rent would be our biggest expense. To combat this issue, some travelers choose van life, and some choose to share a house with multiple flatmates to cut costs. That’s when we came across sneaky option number three: house sitting.
Throughout our time here, we have met other travelers who have had positive experiences with house sitting. One in particular stands out: this lovely lady shared her experience with Trusted Housesitters in France, where she extended her 6-month house sit to three years by becoming an event planner for the chateau she was taking care of.
Finding House Sitting Jobs
Finding and landing house sitting jobs is surprisingly simple. Trusted Housesitters is the most commonly used website. Although we had luck with Kiwi Housesitters for New Zealand house sits. Both websites have location and sit length filters, so you can find exactly what works for you.
Now that you know where house sits are posted, it’s important to create a stand-out profile. This shows people exactly why they can trust you to look after their home. From there, it is up to you to connect with people.
The Process: Send hosts a message, arrange a phone call, or meet in person to ask questions and confirm the house sitting job.
The Best Way To Apply For House Sits
Through trial and error, we found the best way to apply for house sits. In our first month of applications, we received a ton of rejections. There is a lot of competition; homeowners get flooded with messages and are less likely to consider you if they already have a long list of applicants. We landed over three months of house sits within a week by only applying to new listings as soon as they popped up. If you want a house sit, you have to not only stand out but also be the first to act.
Tip: Filter the house sits by newest listings first and apply as quickly as you can to gain an advantage. This will put you at the top of their list and give home-owners the chance to connect with you before anybody else.
Crucial Things To Consider
There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to caring for someone’s home or pet. For example, the owners might forget to mention that their chicken is sick and you’ll have to bury it, or that they expect you to pay the bills while they’re away. Don’t let me glamorize it. Just like everything in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Figure out exactly what they require and what you’re willing to do as a house sitter before accepting a job.
Set Up Clear Expectations
The best way to mitigate this is by asking A LOT of questions when interviewing people, and not signing up for something that doesn’t fit with you. The goal is free rent, not to get into uncomfortable situations. Here are a few sample questions before accepting a house sit.
Sample Questions:
- Do they have any indoor or outdoor cameras?
- Does their pet have any medical or behavioural issues?
- What are the yard work requirements?
- Are you going to be responsible for any electrical bills? If so, what is the expected amount?
- Is it okay to have company over?
If anything seems unclear, bring it up! It is better to decline a house sitting job than to accept one you’re unsure about.
Are you getting paid?
Some House-sitting companies offer payment options, but most simply don’t. The idea is that both parties benefit in different ways. The house sitters get free rent in a new place, and the hosts have someone to care for their pet and house while they are away. That said, it seems house sitting in the USA pays more often than in other countries.
We found that the benefits still made it a worthwhile travel hack, even if they are not paid. Our first house sit required no work except staying at the house. One house had a hot tub and a yard filled with ripe feijoa and orange trees. Our most recent house sit had chickens that supplied us with ample eggs and a pool table to keep us entertained.
Closing Thoughts
Housesitting might just be the new travel hack you’ve been looking for, especially if you love being around pets. Remember, safety comes first. Check their reviews and make sure you only accept what you can commit to doing. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up living in a French chateau for a few years.
