What are House Sitting References? & Why You Need them (2024)
Wondering if you really need house sitting references? Or how to get them if you’re just starting out? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re a globe-trotting digital nomad, a frequent traveler yearning to live like a local, or a pet lover looking for new furry friends, house sitting can be a rewarding opportunity.
But there’s one crucial element that can make all the difference in landing the perfect house sit: references.
Since we started our own house sitting adventures in 2008, our references have played a key role in the number of opportunities we’ve received and given us a competitive advantage in popular destinations.
Why Are House Sitting References Important?
For homeowners, the prospect of leaving their beloved pets and treasured home in the care of a relative stranger can be quite intimidating. However, in such situations, the value of a strong reference cannot be overstated.
A recommendation from an individual for whom you have previously house sat or someone familiar with your character and abilities can go a long way in easing the concerns of homeowners.
It serves as a testimony to your credibility, reliability, and trustworthiness, offering peace of mind to those entrusting you with their home and pets.
Moreover, if you are looking to barter your services for rent-free accommodation, having solid references can be just as beneficial as having actual currency at your disposal.
What You Can Use For House Sitting References
When compiling your references, remember that they don’t solely have to be from house sitting gigs. Especially if you’re just getting started.
Think broader. Have you looked after a friend’s pet or family’s home while they were away? These experiences count too.
Heck, if you watered your neighbor’s plants or garden when they were on vacation, they can be a house sitting reference! Anything that demonstrates your responsible nature works when you’re getting started house sitting.
Even character references that portray your sense of responsibility, whether from employers or personal connections, can help to build trust with potential homeowners.
When we first started house sitting, we didn’t have any references. It’s normal. Now we use a house sitting platform and track our references there.
We even ask our off-platform house sits to write referrals for us on the platform so we can track everything in one place.
Who You Can Ask For References?
When it’s time to reach out for those much-needed testimonials, consider all the people in your life who can affirm your dependability.
Previous employers, mentors, colleagues, friends, or neighbors who can attest to your character can be excellent referees.
Be sure to ask permission before including someone as a reference, and give them a heads up that they might be contacted.
If you want them to give you a written reference to reuse multiple times and send or show to potential pet owners/home owners, be sure to explain to the person writing your reference what you need and how to submit it.
This will make the process much smoother and ensure that you have a strong reference to use in your housesitting endeavors.
When it comes to housesitting overseas, having strong references can greatly increase your chances of getting chosen for a house sit. It’s important to carefully consider who you ask for a reference and how you go about obtaining it.
How to Ask for House Sitting References
Asking for references, whether for character or from previous housesitting jobs, requires a tactful and respectful approach. Start by personally reaching out to potential referees with a sincere and thoughtful message.
Explain why you’re asking them specifically: perhaps you’ve had a positive working relationship, or they’ve directly observed qualities in you that are essential for housesitting, such as responsibility and trustworthiness.
For those you’ve house sat for before, mention how much you valued the opportunity to care for their home and pets, and gently ask if they would be comfortable providing feedback on your performance.
Always give them an easy way out by saying you understand if they’re too busy or prefer not to. And, give them with details about where to send the reference and what points they might cover, making it as easy as possible for them to help you.
Gratitude is key!
Thank each person sincerely for considering your request and for any support they’ve provided. This respectful and clear communication reflects your professionalism and increases the likelihood of receiving a positive reference.
What to Ask House Sitting References to Include in Their Recommendation
When reaching out to references, consider guiding them on what specific aspects to highlight in their testimonial. Here are some ideas to ask your references to include when they’re writing a recommendation:
- Reliability and Punctuality: Mention instances where you adhered strictly to schedules and showed up on time, demonstrating your dependability.
- Pet Care Experience: Highlight your skills and attentiveness in caring for pets, including any special instructions followed or medical care provided.
- House Maintenance: Detail your ability to maintain the home responsibly, from handling minor repairs to ensuring cleanliness.
- Communication Skills: Provide examples of proactive and clear communication with homeowners, which can reassure potential clients of your approachability and professionalism.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: Include situations where you effectively managed unforeseen challenges, whether related to pets, home issues, or travel complications.
- Trustworthiness and Security: Emphasize your trustworthiness, how you respected privacy, and kept personal and home security a priority.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Describe how you adapted to different home environments and adjusted to the specific needs of each assignment.
- Responsibility and Initiative: Provide examples of you taking initiative, going above and beyond what was expected to ensure the smooth running of the household.
- Positive Attitude and Disposition: Reflect on your overall demeanor and attitude, and how these contributed to a pleasant and worry-free experience for homeowners.
- Repeated Engagement Mention if they have asked you back for house sitting services multiple times, indicating a high level of satisfaction and trust.
When you offer guidance to your references with tips like these, you’ll help them create strong and accurate recommendations that’ll really boost your house sitting profile!
Government & Police Reference Checks
Safety is paramount, and having a police or government reference can provide added peace of mind for homeowners. Sometimes, this can even be required.
When we started looking at private house sitting opportunities in Australia some Facebook group rules for Australian housesitting required we have a police check available for homeowners just to join the groups!
Platforms such as Trusted HouseSitters have recognized its importance, requiring background checks as part of their vetting process. Just joining the platform means you get a background check included with your membership fee!
These measures reflect commitment and help distinguish you as a dedicated and trustworthy house sitter. Whether you join a platform or go it alone, get background checked by a reputable source.
-> If you want 25% off your first-year membership, then click here for our Trusted House Sitters discount code!
Displaying & Sharing Your References
Now that you’ve gathered your references, it’s crucial to present them effectively. Create a neat, professional document that can be easily shared with homeowners.
When using platforms like Trusted HouseSitters, take advantage of their system, which showcases your completed checks directly on your profile, reinforcing your reputation.
If you don’t have a house sitting platform membership to use, you can still collect and show your house sitting references in other ways.
✔️ Use a testimonial section on your website
One of the easiest ways to showcase references is by creating a dedicated section for testimonials on your website.
This will allow potential clients to read about the experiences of previous homeowners and see how satisfied they were with your housesitting services.
✔️ Create a video showcasing your references
Video testimonials are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a more personal touch and can be more engaging than written reviews.
Consider asking some of your past clients if they would be willing to record a short video talking about their experience working with you.
Or if you have written house sitting references, you can make a video slide show of them!
✔️ Utilize social media
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are great places to showcase references.
You can create posts highlighting positive reviews from satisfied homeowners or even share photos and videos of your happy clients in their homes.
This will not only serve as great social proof for potential clients but also help increase your online presence.
Final Thoughts on House Sitting References
In wrapping up, never underestimate the power of a solid reference. Though often overlooked, house sitting references are a potent tool in your arsenal, a stepping stone to incredible house sitting opportunities.
Ensure that your reference collection accurately reflects your strengths and experiences – it’s the crown jewel of a reputable house sitter’s portfolio.
Remember, if you care for homes as you would your own and cherish pets as family, collecting glowing house sitting references should come naturally. With these in hand, you’re ready to explore the world, one home at a time.
