Like this post? Please share!
Traveling around the world is an amazing way to learn about other cultures and expand your own borders. Unfortunately, the cost of traveling from place to place can make it difficult to actually visit the locales you long to see. One method of traveling and immersing yourself in a culture without paying for accommodations is to do house sitting. Here’s a little info to help you get started.
How Does it Work?
House sitting is a simple way to find a place to stay rent-free and also gain some work experience. Doesn’t sound like work? It isn’t exactly, except that when you are house sitting, you are expected to care for and maintain the property, the home, the pets, and the gardens, in exchange for a place to stay for free.
How does it work?
There are a number of websites available to match up families looking for someone to sit their home and house sitters looking for a place to stay. You choose your destination then use one of the websites to find a home in that location.
What About Fees?
Individual house sitter websites may charge fees for registration as a house sitter on their site. In addition, a house sitter may be expected to pay for their own utilities and food while they are sitting a home, but the actual accommodations are free.
Some house sitters may receive some type of payment in addition to the free accommodations, but that is usually negotiated between the sitter and the homeowner.
How Can I Get Started?
There are several ways to get started as a house sitter. You can start by choosing one of the house sitting sites that are available on the web. Register and pay any fees the site requires then create a profile. Your profile will be used to help you match up with homeowners who are looking for someone to care for their home.
Generally, house sitting is a longer-term job, but it could last anywhere from a few days to a few months. The exact length of the job is determined by the homeowner.
What Will I Be Expected to Do?
As a house sitter, you will be expected to do maintenance on the home (mow the lawn, keep up the grounds), take care of the garden, care for the pets, collect and forward mail, and keep the home in good condition and ready for the return of the owner.
For a homeowner, the advantages are clear: Their home is safer when it not left empty and pets are less stressed when they are not sent to a boarding facility.
If you are hoping to travel without blowing your budget on hotel accommodations, house sitting may be an ideal situation. You can gain work experience (yes, house sitting can count as experience!), experience local culture, and have a place to say for free. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved!
Would you consider house sitting as a homeowner and as a traveler?
I never knew they offered house sitting like this. This would be a great way for people to explore new places responsibly.
I never knew was an option. This is incredible!
I really don’t think I would want to house sit for anyone. It is bad enough I have to pick up mail from the post office and bring it with me to a clients when they are away! As for anyone staying in my apartment while I was away–my cat would freak out!!
This is an awesome way to travel the world without booking a single hotel room. I so love this idea and you could go just about anywhere. It is something I am going to look into indeed.