House Sitting tips and House sitting Experiences from "TheBestSitters"
I thought I would give you some comments on housesitting that we have learnt over the last two years. You may use them as you will.
Majella and I have been housesitting for a full two years with no fixed abode and literally going from house to house in Sydney. We have moved 40 times during those two years and have covered many suburbs. Our housesits ranged from 5 days to 4 months but the average is 2 or 3 weeks, which is what most people's holidays are.
We have found that many people are interested in being a housesitter when they find out what we do, but they all say they only want the long ones and do not want to move often. There is a real need out there for house-sitters to do the normal holiday length sits. We get phoned or emailed constantly from people just wanting someone for a week or more. We also know that there is enough sits available for people to never rent again. We have also learnt to not book too far ahead (unless you want the sit) as often owners wait for the last week or two before a holiday to think about getting a sitter and you can get some very good sits if you do not mind not knowing where you are going to be living from month to month.
We have found that people do not want to 'upset' their loved animals by putting them in catteries, kennels, etc. And in fact, it would cost them a fortune to do that sometimes. Many of the animals are old and/or sick and require alot of attention and care. They are also 'well-loved' and do not want their routines disrupted so a house-sitter must be prepared to accept some behaviours that they would not normally accept in their own animals or homes. It is also best if you are a couple because often your housesitting overlaps by a day or two so one can go to each property.
We have only met a couple of other house-sitters in all this time, one being a retired couple from New Zealand that fly to Sydney for their sits a few times a year plus do some in New Zealand. The other was a woman that just sat forfriends. Judging by housesitter ads, many more retired people are seeing this as a way of moving around countries.
House Sitting is liberating, exciting, interesting and fun but can also be tiring and stressful. I would recommend it to anyone and suggest that there will be a growing need as we baby boomers start leaving our jobs and wanting to travel.
Majella and I have also found your website and methods to be the most efficient and reasonably priced. When ever giving out websites to homeowners looking for sitters or people wanting to do sitting we have always given yours first and recommended it as the best. Keep up the good work. We will use you again when we want to start sitting again.
> Cheers
Alys H
More Tips:
Ten Tips for a Successful Short-Term Pet Sitting Assignment JJ Murphy"