
House sitting is a total travel lifestyle choice or the way to have an inexpensive break. Home and pet owners can travel more than they ever thought possible, whether for more weekend breaks or crossing continents, ticking off “must visit” locations. Imagine free, one on one pet care, wonderfully kept homes and traveling with absolute peace of mind knowing pets and homes are safe and secure with your chosen house sitter. House sitters have the company of loving pets, live as a local staying in the best free, self catering accommodation …. what's not to embrace about about this altruistic win win!
My husband John and I have been traveling the world house sitting for nearly ten years and while I may keep a few trade secrets under my hat just for the next article I am going to reveal my top five tips to help you secure that dream house sit, whether it's a weekend in London, Paris or Rome, a week in the Lake District or rural France, a month in Vancouver or Sydney or six months in Costa Rica.
My husband John and I have been traveling the world house sitting for nearly ten years and while I may keep a few trade secrets under my hat just for the next article I am going to reveal my top five tips to help you secure that dream house sit, whether it's a weekend in London, Paris or Rome, a week in the Lake District or rural France, a month in Vancouver or Sydney or six months in Costa Rica.
- Join a good House Sitting organisation: There are many, my preferred is www.trustedhousesitters.com simply because they are the largest house sitting org in the world which translates to more opportunities for quality house sitting assignments in over 50 countries
- Sign up for daily e mail alerts: You can choose specific locations and/or receive notification of all new listings world wide, it's my favourite e mail of the day!
- Design an excellent Profile: I use the word “design” to encourage flair and creativity. Tell home owners why you want to house sit, about your background, experience, any special skills and most of all about your love for animals and any practical experience caring for them, 80% of house sitting involves pet care. Be genuine, let your personality resonate through your written word. Add warm and natural photographs, especially ones with animals, a short video is a great intro and of course references and obtaining a police check is a good investment. Give the home owner that “feel good about this sitter” factor.
- Choose the right sit and apply as soon as you can: The location will grab you attention, especially if at the top of your wish list. Carefully consider all other aspects including pets, home, dates, duration and home owners expectations remember it's like applying for a dream job, yours wont be the only application so make the first line catch the home owners attention. Keep it short and simple, let them know why you would be their perfect sitter and I can't stress this enough, if the assignment involves pet care make positive reference to them in the e mail.
- Be Patient: Everyone starts somewhere, I did. www.trustedhousesitters.com are adding more new and exciting listings every single day, your dream house sit could be in the next e mail alert you open!