House Sitting Trends | feedback

House sitting can be risky. Warning for all housesitters travelling Internationaly to housesit.

2024-10-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

Caution when Housesitting in a Foreign Country!

Housesitters have been caught out at the borders entering UK and USA. There are cases where UK and USA border officials have ruled that Housesitting is unpaid work and requires a work Visa.

The housesitters have been deported and, in some cases, unable to reenter.

This is a warning to Housecarers Housesitter members.

What does this mean?

Should you only housesit in your country?
Or should you obtain a work visa to work in the foreign country you are visiting?
Should sitters in the EU have no problems with housesitting within the EU?

House sitters must research immigration regulations in the country they are visiting. We are unable and not qualified to give legal or immigration advise. Housecarers issues a warning that some housesitters have been refused entry when border security have discovered they are housesitting. Housecarers.com is not responsible for housesit cancellations due to international housesitters having their plans cancelled due to immigration problems.

Please read the articles below for a summary of real cases.

Housesitters deported after border officials found they were housesitting

Canadians stopped at the border on the way to housesitting in USA

Australian stopped in USA on route to Housesitting in Canada. Deported and cant reenter USA

This is a warning for Housesitters entering the UK. Immigration and Visa experts look at the legalities of Housesitters Entering UK

How do both sides of the housesitting site build trust? What happens when breaches occur? What about cameras?

2024-06-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

What is your housesitting site's policy towards banning members who violate fairness and common sense? What is your housesitting site's policy towards cameras? How are negative reviews handled?

This article looks at some case studies addressing these issues

Questions to ask yourself before housesitting

2023-03-24T23:11:00.013-07:00

Housesitting can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but ensuring you have all the necessary information before taking on the job is essential. To ensure successful housesitting, please ask yourself these critical questions before agreeing to take responsibility. By doing that, you'll be able to provide a safe and secure environment for your client's homes while they are away. With this in mind, here are some essential questions to consider before housesitting.

Housesitting should be Joyous.

Are you considering housesitting to make some extra money, or are you simply looking for an opportunity to explore a new place? International housesitting is primarily an exchange (Not paid), part of the booming sharing economy.

House sitting reviews are essential when inviting strangers to mind your home and Pets.

2022-11-30T15:33:00.017-08:00

View verified two-way review following completed housesits. The Homeowner reviews the housesitter and the Homeowner reviews the housesitter. Members accumulate reviews to add to references and other documents. This increases each side's chances of success for future matching.

Housesit Near Niagra Falls

For ideas on the type of feedback that is helpful for reviews browse recent reviews at the page below.

Be inspired and browse hundreds of reviews following successful housesits.

The Joys of Housesitting

2022-08-03T19:35:00.001-07:00

A Home Without Going Home – Travel gets tiring and although we have no urge to settle down, it helps to have a rest from constant movement every now and again.

View from our terrace in Jacksonville

Read Erin's recent discovery of #housesitting:-

The Joys of Housesitting

This is our second house sitting assignment, and we’ve just arranged another in Japan. It’s proving ideal for our nomadic lifestyle for a number of reasons.

Simon with Mani the puppy while house sitting in Argentina

Preparing your Home for your House Sitter: - Handover, Walkthrough, Checklist, Tips

2022-06-17T20:00:00.004-07:00

House sitting can be a great way to take care of your home while you’re away, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure the house sit goes smoothly for both sides.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your home is taken care of and that you have a positive experience with house sitting. Have you ever done a house sit? What tips would you add?

Prepare your home for your housesitter, and make a checklist for your handover

House Sitting Guidelines: Everything You Need to Know

2022-05-17T18:51:00.004-07:00

Becoming a House Sitter or Securing a Trusted Sitter for your home and pets.

House sitting is a great way to travel the world while taking care of someone else's home. However, there are a few things you need to know before you get started.

If you're thinking about becoming a house sitter, the first thing you need to do is create a profile on a trusted house sitting website. Once your profile is complete, take some time to browse through the available opportunities. When you find an option that interests you, reach out to the homeowner and introduce yourself. Be sure to include information about your house sitting experience and any references you may have.

If the homeowner decides to offer you the job, be sure to ask questions about the property and the expectations for your stay. It is also essential to get a copy of the house sitting agreement. This agreement should outline the duties you will be responsible for and the length of your stay.

Once you have all of the house sitting details squared away, it's time to start packing! Be sure to bring any items you will need to complete your duties, such as cleaning supplies or gardening tools. You should also pack a few personal items to make yourself feel at home.

Finally, remember to enjoy time as a house sitter! This is a unique opportunity to live in a new place and explore all it offers. So, be sure to take advantage of everything your new home offers, from the local sights to the hidden gems. So, Sir or Madam House Sitter, enjoy your new surroundings!

House sitting is a great way to travel the world while taking care of someone else's home. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but as long as you follow these guidelines, you'll be sure to have a great experience. And who knows? You might even make some lifelong friends.

How do you find everything you need to know about house sitting, from finding opportunities to what to do if something goes wrong?

Here are some common questions about Housesitting

What is house sitting?
How much do house sitters cost?
What do house sitters do?
Finding House Sitting Jobs?
What is the house sitting rate?
Where are jobs for house sitters?
How do I house sit Internationally?

You can find the answers to these questions and more at the resources below.

A great resource developed from 21 Years of House Sitter contributions answers the questions.

Responsilities, Expectations, Standards and Conventions of International House Sitting

Select a cracker portrait photo for your House Sitting Profile

2022-05-09T15:36:00.013-07:00

Add Credibilty and Trust to your Post

When people visit your profile, the first thing they will see is your profile photo. Make sure it's your best!

If you want to be a successful house sitter, make sure to upload a recent picture of yourself. This will help potential homeowners know who they're letting into their homes, and it will help build trust.

Check out our Tips for choosing the right portrait of you!

Tips for chosing the perfect Profile Portrait

What do you think makes a good profile photo?

Housecarers Photo Id Verification and other Security Measures

2022-05-05T22:21:00.003-07:00

Photo ID verification adds an extra layer of protection for both sitters and homeowners. Photo ID verification allows homeowners to feel more secure that they are dealing with a real person and that the sitter has good intentions.

Member verification at Housecarers.com House Sitting

Expand your network and open up fresh opportunities for Slow Travel!

2022-05-05T15:38:00.002-07:00

Our program can connect you with other house sitters and homeowners from across the globe. This can be an invaluable resource for expanding your network, finding new opportunities, and accessing unique experiences. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Whether you are a new or experienced house sitter, or a homeowner looking for a sitter taking part in our referral program is a no-brainer. Housecarers.com Referral Program

21.5 Years of House Sitting Questions and Answers

2022-04-27T17:16:00.010-07:00

We have distilled 21.5 Years (Housecarers launched October 2000) of Member Feedback and questions into our updated FAQ. Here are 44 commonly asked Questions Answered in an easily accessible format.

21.5 Years of House sitting Questions and Answers Additional questions or comments welcome!

Young South Australians turning to full-time house sitting amid rental crisis | 7NEWS

2022-03-07T16:53:00.004-08:00

View stories on how young Australians are stringing together Housesits. It means they can avoid rent, and save for a deposit on their own home. They build up a reputation and following, and are in demand as House and Pet sitters. This is a win for the homeowner and the housesitter. View Channel 7 house sitter video stories

Essential Links to get started as a House Sitter or to match with a live in Housesitter / Pet sitter

2022-02-22T03:00:00.005-08:00

Get Started in House Sitting register for a no charge guest membership

Some niche pages for finding or listing as a Housesitter or Posting House sitting jobs

2021-11-18T14:50:00.003-08:00

Some easy to remember secure places to list as a sitter, post a house/petsit assignment of find a sitter or housesit .

http://housesitters.com

http://housesitters.us

http://housesitting.com

http://housesitting.com.au

http://petsitters.com.au

http://sydneyhousesitters.com.au

http://melbournehousesitters.com.au

2021-07-02T15:59:00.008-07:00

Thank you Ian.

I appreciate your service and thanks to you I have visited many interesting places and cared for so many lovely pets and beautiful gardens.

Once COVID has died down, I look forward to further adventures thru your website.

Blessings, Ann S

Anne's Housecarers Profile username WestCoastCanadian

Hi Anne,

Thank you for your support and service since 12-Jan-17 and for sharing your experiences!

Ian, Housecarers

Grandma Joy calls house sitting a day ... after visiting 60 countries and 40 states / provinces of USA and Canada Housesitting

2021-02-11T19:53:00.011-08:00

Hello Ian,

After all these years, sadly I will not be renewing my membership this year.

At 80 years young, widowed for 5 years, and with my own house and garden to maintain, I no longer have the stamina to look after other people's animals or keep their houses, gardens or pools to the standard which is desired.

After many years of housesitting with my husband, who was the 'fix-it' man, and being a farmer originally was able to turn his hand to anything that was required, now there is no longer the will, or in current times, the same opportunity, to travel.

We visited 60 countries and house-sat in many of them, as well as 40 states in USA and Canada, and every state in Australia. I have lifelong friends all over the world and many happy memories.

I spent months travelling on my own in France, both housesitting, and working on farms and in B and B's, house-sat in Norway Sweden and Denmark, my specialty being to look after diabetic cats who needed insulin injections twice daily at the same time of day, which dictated meal times and social activities.

Also Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia, where blonde hair and blue eyes invited conversation and interest from locals.

I rounded up sheep in outback Western Australia wearing bright clothing, hot pink sneakers and carrying a matching hot pink umbrella, the sheep being so mesmerised - or, perhaps confused - against all expectations, went obediently into the holding pens.

There were snakes in the sofa we were sitting on! They escaped into the lounge room when we got up off the sofa, and in trying to escape outside, got trapped between the window glass and the glass sliding door... Snakes eating the chicken eggs before we could collect them, or up in the rafters of the veranda. Some injured magpies required hand feeding, and mice jumping out when the toaster was turned on.

And of course many cats and dogs to be shampooed, walked, fed, and cuddled, and horses and cattle to be tended, to - many of whom (dogs and cats) turned up their noses in disdain when their owners returned, clearly indicating they'd rather stay with us.

I reorganised pantries and cupboards, packed up whole houses for owners moving interstate days after their return, picked fruit and vegetables and made jam and preserves, picked up thousands of macadamia nuts on the nut farm, and hundreds of avocados from the avocado farm, with trays and boxes kept in the bath for cool storage, made hundreds of beds, and washed countless floors.

The snake catching, mouse killing and spider eradication - as a city girl, I left to others to deal with.

It's been wonderful Ian, and I thank you for all your hard work and organisation, making it possible for people to have such wonderful adventures. We have introduced so many people to Housecarers over the years. Now I'm handing over to a new generation.

Thank you again, Joy B (Adelaide)

View Grandma_Joy housecarers profile

Hi Joy,

Phew Joy, I am out of breath just reading of your energetic wandering and overcoming all the challenges along the way.

Thank you very much for your service and support over the years – since 29-Jun-03!

You were one of our early members.

Also I love hearing your story and experiences – thank you so much for sharing. It all makes my efforts over the years worthwhile.

All the best with your “retirement” from housesitting and I wish and pray for many more fruitful and filled years ahead for you.

Ian

23 Companies That Help You Travel The World For Free (And Might Pay You, Too)

2021-01-07T23:50:00.005-08:00

Great resources for Travellers. And yes housesitting is one way of many to see the world for free.

See Forbes.com article below

Forbes article on ways to see the world

Popular recent search results at www.housecarers.com

2020-03-09T20:52:00.001-07:00

Here are some recent popular search results at www.housecarers.com

Why not give them a try.

Dublin is a popular Housesit Location
. Demand for House Sitters is high

Find House Sitters available to housesit in Dublin Ireland.

Melbourne Night Shot

Melbourne is regularly ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world. It is famous for the arts, resteraunts and cafe culture. Melbourne homeowners love to travel and are always looking for reliable Housesitters for their home and pets.

Find House sitters available for Melbourne

Long-Term House-and petsitting surrounded by the beauties of nature; Forest, Vinosady Bratislavsky Slovaki

Many house sitters prefer Long Term Housesits. Many housesitters are global nomads who work remotely. A long term housesit will justify the cost of air travel. Housecarers has been matching homeowners in exotic desirable locations such as Costa Rica, Hawaii, France, Italy, Slovakia, Mexico and more since October 2000.

Find long term housesits (longer than 3 months) in locations around the world

Housecarers has been prominent in matching Homeowners with Housesitters throughout Europe

Housesit Sunny Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France, secluded villa and 2 acre garden, easy animal care and house sitting, 6 Weeks May 2020

Browse current Housesits in Europe... Sort by location, Duration, start date

Find Housesits in Canada

Find Housesits in Sydney

A Christmas to remember: House Sitting in Boulder Colorado

2019-03-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

House and cat sitting for strangers as a cheaper way to see the world? Yep. It’s a thing. A thing I heard about nearly two years ago. And a thing I’ve been doing on and off since December 2017.

I’ve sat on both the east and west coasts, and in the mid-west. But my most memorable stay was in Boulder, Colorado, over the recent Christmas–New Year break. This was a sit I got through housecarers.com. I applied for the sit in September 2018 after returning from a two-month house and cat sitting adventure that took me all over the United States. I’m from Brisbane, Australia, where it’s anywhere from 85 to 95ºF on Christmas Day, and I thought it’d be nice to spend the holidays in the snow for once.

Snow. But not on Christmas Day.

After Skyping the couple, I heard back from them the next day. I’d got the sit. It’s always a pleasant surprise when an American family picks the Australian-based sitter. Someone who’s some 7,500 miles away. Not even in the same hemisphere. But I think being Australian is also what helps me get these sits.

Fast forward to 23 December 2018. I was leaving Seattle, where I’d sat for another lady, due to arrive at Denver International Airport at 10.50pm. I’d missed my flight by five minutes. The gate doors had just closed. This was the first—and hopefully the last—time this has happened to me. After re-booking my flight for 6am the following morning, I contacted the homeowners to tell them I’d missed my flight. I felt terrible and thought this would jeopardise the rest of my stay. They were great about it. They said it wasn’t an issue because they were leaving on Christmas morning. This still gave us some time to go through everything together on Christmas Eve. And they were certain everything would work out as it should. And it did. Eventually.

I made sure I was at Sea-Tac Airport well ahead of my departure time. I wasn’t going to miss my flight again. Some hours later, I made it to Denver. I collected my hire car. Drove to Boulder. And got some groceries to eat on Christmas Day (sweet potato cupcakes, and sweet potato and herb ravioli). Then I began the 15-minute drive up the mountain. It was pitch black and I was very nervous about reversing off the side. Nearly 40 minutes later and I made it. Way later than my original ETA. But I made it.

Nika, the couple’s rescue cat

The couple were really lovely about the late arrival that night. I unpacked my things and they walked me through the ins-and-outs of their amazing, architecturally designed hilltop home. I was then introduced to their rescue kitty, Nika. Nika remains my favourite out of the 20 or so cats I’ve looked after. I’ve looked after purebred Persians, Siamese kittens, feral-and-rehomed cats, and many rescue cats, but Nika wins hands down. I was told she liked to play a ‘game’ where you’d open one door, and Nika would run through the room expecting you to open the other door for her to run back out. We’d do this three or four times each day. I think she’d have you play this game all day every day if she had it her way. The couple then prepared a vegetarian dinner—which, being vegetarian, I really appreciated—for the three of us before calling it a night.

Christmas lights—gingerbread style—near downtown Boulder

And the sit begins

I woke up the next morning—Christmas Day—to a Christmas card and small gift. It was totally unexpected. But I really appreciated it. I was spending Christmas Day by myself after all. Very far from home. Just me and Nika. In a massive house atop a mountain. So a small gesture like this made my day. There was no snow on Christmas Day, sadly, but at least it wasn’t the 95ºF I have come to expect. It did, however, end up snowing for the next few days. And again on New Year’s Eve. The snow on New Year’s Eve was so bad I was actually snowed in. Or I could have risked it, like I did a few days before, and gone out that night. My car became stuck halfway up the mountain before a kind stranger stopped to tow me for the next mile. But this wasn’t an experience I wanted to re-live. This meant it was Netflix for the next 24 hours. Just me and Nika again. I’d say we were best friends by now.

A frozen lake in Nederland, half an hour outside Boulder

Despite the couple’s amazing property, the sit was very light on duties. Their neighbours were responsible for ploughing the driveway. And the only real responsibilities were to feed and look after Nika. Play with Nika. Check the mail each day. Bring in any packages. And clean up after myself. I’d also send regular photo and video updates on how Nika was doing. For a property of this size, I was very fortunate to have so few tasks and so much free time.

A sunset over Boulder County

Throughout my 10-day stay, I saw some amazing things. Eldorado Canyon State Park, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Central City and a frozen lake in Nederland. I enjoyed stopping in at the stores in and along Pearl Street Mall. Eating delicious Thai food from Thai Avenue and Aloy Thai. Photographing some of the most beautiful Christmas lights displays I’ve seen. And stopping to appreciate the natural landscape before continuing my drive home each afternoon.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer on my drive to Central City

After the sit

On 4 January 2019, it was time to head off. My house and cat sit in Boulder had come to an end. It was time to say goodbye to Nika and travel to my next stop, Los Angeles. I left at around 3am and messaged the owners to let them know everything had been taken care of and wished them safe travels back to Boulder.

What’s for breakfast?

I received a nice thank you message a few days later. They were very happy with how Nika had been treated—they said it was like they had never left her. Previous cat sitters hadn’t given Nika their full attention and it was sad to hear the couple had returned to a miserable kitty. It was nice to know I had restored their faith in having a stranger house and cat sit for them. I was told I was welcome back anytime. And I’d happily return. So for those of you who’ve ever considered international house sitting, just give it a go! I got the first house sit I applied for back in October 2017. And I’ve done 12 sits since then. Not only do you get to stay in some amazing places, you form friendships with people you wouldn’t have met otherwise. I keep in regular contact with about half the people I’ve sat for, and I’ve been invited to house and cat sit again for many of them.

Instagram: @madolline

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/madollinegourley

Housecarers profile for Madolline

Housecarers.com Turns 18

2018-10-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Suggest an alternative Speech Bubble Text and we will repost with link to your Housecarers profile

We Launched the first World Wide House Sitting Membership Site in October 2000. After 18 years HouseCarers is even more passionate about promoting this opportunity that has Enriched lives worldwide. Thank you to all our Loyal Members... You are the best!

To celebrate we are launching next Month, an exciting Referral Loyalty Program.

See how we have changed over the years on the Way Back Machine (internet archives)

Continuing to Celebrate our 18th Birthday

2018-10-23T14:13:00.002-07:00

Housecarers founder Ian White with granddaughter Ashleigh. Lilly does not look too interested, but obedient.

Thank you loyal members for your service to others. We are exited to be launching our Referral Rewards program next month. Thank you Basic Bananas for you help with this, and other "Keeping it Fresh" Ideas.

See how we have evolved over the years on the Way Back Machine Internet Archives

Dr. Maureen's Global Escapades as a Housesitter.

2018-07-03T22:18:00.002-07:00

Long time housecarers.com member Dr. Maureen Murphy spends 95 percent of her time staying in other people's houses. (See Maureen's house sitter profile)

Maureen has a mailbox in Texas, but is rarely there. She's an associate professor at the University of Maryland and she teaches online. Her one requirement wherever she goes is a reliable internet connection.

Maureen has been featured in an interview by Mother Nature Network


Maureen House sitting at Megan's Bay in St .Thomas in the Virgin Islands. (Photo: Maureen Murphy)

Maureen started House Sitting in 2010 and, early on, most of her homes were in the Texas area. But then she began branching out...

I milked a cow in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef. I got soaking wet in Cape Tribulation. I saw the penguins on Phillips Island and took a helicopter tour above the Twelve Apostles. I watched the fireworks from a boat in the harbor near the opera house on New Years Eve in Sydney, In New Zealand I have sat in hot pools in Rotarua, picked kiwis and heard bagpipes in Dunedin....

I milked a cow in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales

I travel to and from pet and house sits. My life is one big adventure. I never stay anywhere too long. I’m not running from the law, I am not running from anything. I am running to. I am going to my next learning experience, to my next furry pet and the wonderful people of the world.

Aussie Retirees Traverse the Globe with Free accommodation by House Sitting

2018-06-21T21:59:00.001-07:00

Perth based retirees Deb and Peter Holst have been globe trotting while paying nothing for their accommodation. They have been doing this for eight Years!

They figure that has saved them more than $100,000 in accommodation costs.

They have done this by offering their services as House Sitters.

The couple have had the opportunity to house-sit at some decidedly dream locations

They revealed they have done one hundred House Sit assignments in eight years.

Deb, cuddling their fur-ball in another exotic location.

Guatemala was another country that we never dreamed we would go to ... We thought it was a dangerous place. But when we got there it was just an amazing experience that we had," Deb said.

Read Full Story published at nine.com.au Travel

2018-03-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

Wendy http://bit.ly/AussieWendy

Shares her 17 year House Sitting Journey with housesits through www.Housecarers.com.

The best job in the world

I go where I want, when I want, and for how long I want. I only have myself to please, and please myself I do!

For a 75-year-old mum, granny, former teacher, and widow, I am fit, happy, healthy and loving life. And I plan on living at least another 28 years doing this very same thing....

Read Full Story at Your Time Magazine

View Wendy's profile on Housecarers.com

Auckland couple live rent - and mortgage-free but don't own a house

2018-03-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

Read Full Story and interview below

Auckland House Sitting Couple