Would you like to travel the country, live rent free and possibly make some money doing it? Consider house sitting. What’s house sitting? It’s when you live in and maintain a person’s house during the time they are away. House sitting jobs are available all year long all over the world, can last from a weekend up to a few years, and many times involve taking care of pets as well.
There are opportunities available in this field just working a few gigs a year or you can dive in head first and become a full time professional house sitter. You save money by living rent free and can sometimes make money by charging the homeowner fees for special tasks. There are quite a few house sitting service websites that you can register with that will, usually for a fee, try to match up homeowners with house sitters. Before you sign up with one or send any money make sure to perform an online search for reviews of the house sitting website you are considering joining.
If you are thinking of a specific area that you want live in check the town community web site for house sitting jobs, as well as the Craigslist postings for the area. You could also place ads on virtual bulletin boards advertising your services. You will need some good references and also be willing to submit to (and pass) a criminal background check.
Still interested? Here are some sites to explore.
The Caretaker Gazette - This site offers “a unique newsletter containing property caretaking and house sitting jobs, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners. Published since 1983, it's the only publication in the world dedicated to the property caretaking field.” Subscriptions start at $29.95 per year.
HouseCarers – They provide “the most comprehensive information available on house sitting. We guide you through the process of successfully matching homeowner with sitters. Housesitters list their preferences through a simple registration process. Homeowners communicate with sitters through our confidential message system to preserve privacy and security.” Membership is $45 for 12 months listing.
House Sitters America – “Whether you need to find someone reliable and experienced to watch your home and pets or are looking for lucrative house sitting jobs that involve exciting travel, free rent, and extra income opportunities - House Sitters America is for you.” Cost is $30 for 12 month membership.
Luxury House Sitting – They say this site was “created with one idea in mind -- to help luxury homeowners locate responsible house sitters and to give house sitters the ability to build a trustworthy profile.” Membership is $10 per year.
House Sit World – “An international service for house sitters, Caretakers & pet sitters since 1999. House sitters wanted for House sitting in U.S.A, Europe, London, England, Australia, Canada, Paris, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Portugal, New Zealand.” Payment options are by various currencies via PayPal, including $40 for 12 months.
Related Reading:
How to Make Money from Vacant Houses
There are opportunities available in this field just working a few gigs a year or you can dive in head first and become a full time professional house sitter. You save money by living rent free and can sometimes make money by charging the homeowner fees for special tasks. There are quite a few house sitting service websites that you can register with that will, usually for a fee, try to match up homeowners with house sitters. Before you sign up with one or send any money make sure to perform an online search for reviews of the house sitting website you are considering joining.
If you are thinking of a specific area that you want live in check the town community web site for house sitting jobs, as well as the Craigslist postings for the area. You could also place ads on virtual bulletin boards advertising your services. You will need some good references and also be willing to submit to (and pass) a criminal background check.
Still interested? Here are some sites to explore.
The Caretaker Gazette - This site offers “a unique newsletter containing property caretaking and house sitting jobs, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners. Published since 1983, it's the only publication in the world dedicated to the property caretaking field.” Subscriptions start at $29.95 per year.
HouseCarers – They provide “the most comprehensive information available on house sitting. We guide you through the process of successfully matching homeowner with sitters. Housesitters list their preferences through a simple registration process. Homeowners communicate with sitters through our confidential message system to preserve privacy and security.” Membership is $45 for 12 months listing.
House Sitters America – “Whether you need to find someone reliable and experienced to watch your home and pets or are looking for lucrative house sitting jobs that involve exciting travel, free rent, and extra income opportunities - House Sitters America is for you.” Cost is $30 for 12 month membership.
Luxury House Sitting – They say this site was “created with one idea in mind -- to help luxury homeowners locate responsible house sitters and to give house sitters the ability to build a trustworthy profile.” Membership is $10 per year.
House Sit World – “An international service for house sitters, Caretakers & pet sitters since 1999. House sitters wanted for House sitting in U.S.A, Europe, London, England, Australia, Canada, Paris, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Portugal, New Zealand.” Payment options are by various currencies via PayPal, including $40 for 12 months.
Related Reading:
How to Make Money from Vacant Houses
Thanks for writing about housesitting. I have tried all the housesitting websites and have found www.caretaker.org to be the best for housesitting assignments. I recently started using www.caretaker.org and have found two housesitting assignments there so far.
ReplyDeleteJohn
I'm certified in property management want a stipend/house-sit/ whats the best way to advertise? What are the reference recommendations and additional items that stand out best? Looking for something ASAP,SO people ever bring their pet when doing pet sitting? Thanks for your great blog, very fun and informative.Jeaneane
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me if Luxury house Sitting is on the up and up as they do not have an address or email contact. Which is the best place to deal with? I am concerned for my saftey as well as the homeowner is for theirs and their possessions.
ReplyDeleteYou could send them a question and if they reply that will give you the email address.
ReplyDeletePerform a search on the site along with the word "reviews."
Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.
You could also perform a search of their domain name to find out who owns the site and then research the owners.
You might also try MindmyHouse.com and sabbaticalhomes.com although my favorite is the Caretaker Gazette.
ReplyDeleteI am married and have no pets or children, and in these sorts of arrangements, these facts seem to be a bonus. I find, Caligirl, if they're open to the idea of your pets/kids etc they will usually mention it in the ad, but certainly can't hurt to ask.
If you're willing to do a bit of work on the property in exchange for free or reduced rent and possibly a wage as well, then you might look at domestic/service type jobs (cleaning, handyman, gardener) that are 'live in'.
I currently work as a cleaner for 20 hours per week for a family who live next door (in a Big, Big House) and get a wage plus reduced rent on a 3 bedroom converted barn cottage in beautiful Somerset, England, that I would have struggled to rent outright. And I can spend my afternoons in other pursuits- writing, walks, napping...
I signed up with various staffing agencies and also checked The Lady Magazine (online and paper version), and Gumtree here in the UK (similar to Craigslist). I primarily searched for 'live in couple' or 'live in housekeeper' jobs.
To gain experience and references, we did a few local house-sits for friends and friends of friends going on holiday.
Hope that information is helpful.
Thanks for the inspiring website, Buck.
This is truly a great read for me!! I love the quality information and news your blog provides I have you bookmarked to show this to my brother!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Life's Too Good