House sitting has far more positives than negatives, however there are two (negatives that is) which are frustrating, one solvable the other not read on .......
The solvable one is for home owners to acknowledge ALL sitters applications then keep us up to speed on their listing's status. Planning is a huge part of what we do, getting a "Thank you, we're considering you, you're short listed, no thank you or sitter found" is appreciated, helpful and oh, so important. They're only dealing with one arrangement, we on the other hand, may have two or three we're pursuing and planning for.
The one we have no control over is locations and timing .... unlike booking the yearly vacation. Getting a listing go live where and when we'd like, or need, is simply a case of luck, there are no guarantees on that one. Which makes checking websites www.trustedhousesitters.com and others DAILY so important ..... the early bird catches the worm and all that.
This summer we head to UK and Europe, for at least four months, I've confirmed sits for ALMOST the entire time, new and return "clients", new and old friends, it'll be great. Had to decline some really exciting opportunities, either because of timing or previous commitements, once I give my word to a home owner, it's a done deal ....... so it's off to the Queen"s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and BBQ's with our children, family and friends, always providing the British weather co-operates:))
The solvable one is for home owners to acknowledge ALL sitters applications then keep us up to speed on their listing's status. Planning is a huge part of what we do, getting a "Thank you, we're considering you, you're short listed, no thank you or sitter found" is appreciated, helpful and oh, so important. They're only dealing with one arrangement, we on the other hand, may have two or three we're pursuing and planning for.
The one we have no control over is locations and timing .... unlike booking the yearly vacation. Getting a listing go live where and when we'd like, or need, is simply a case of luck, there are no guarantees on that one. Which makes checking websites www.trustedhousesitters.com and others DAILY so important ..... the early bird catches the worm and all that.
This summer we head to UK and Europe, for at least four months, I've confirmed sits for ALMOST the entire time, new and return "clients", new and old friends, it'll be great. Had to decline some really exciting opportunities, either because of timing or previous commitements, once I give my word to a home owner, it's a done deal ....... so it's off to the Queen"s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and BBQ's with our children, family and friends, always providing the British weather co-operates:))
