How to Get House-Sitting Jobs in 10 Easy Steps
If you’re wondering how to get house-sitting jobs, you’re in the right place!
Since 2008, I’ve embarked on a remarkable journey, one that has allowed me to explore the world, one house at a time.
As a seasoned house-sitter and a full-time digital nomad since 2019, I’ve honed my skills, learned the art of responsible caretaking, and discovered the hidden gems of countless neighborhoods.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my expertise on how to get house-sitting jobs—from crafting the perfect profile to nailing interviews with homeowners.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a wannabe house-sitter, let’s dive into the world of house-sitting and unlock a lifestyle that combines adventure, responsibility, and the joy of making new furry friends.
Let’s get started!
10 Action Steps for Getting House-Sitting Jobs
These action steps are a solid foundation for how to get house-sitting jobs, whether you’re new to the experience or a seasoned veteran.
1. Understanding the Role of a House-Sitter
Before you start applying for house-sitting positions, it’s important to understand the responsibilities you will be undertaking.
House-sitting is more than taking care of someone’s pets. It involves maintaining their home, garden, and sometimes, assisting with basic administrative duties.
Make sure you are prepared to take on these roles and are honest with yourself and the homeowners about what you can offer. Begin by creating a list of your skills and experiences that are relevant to house-sitting.
2. Crafting Your House-Sitter Profile
Your online profile is your digital resume. (I worked in HR for over 16 years, so I know resumes!) Like any job application, it should represent you professionally and showcase why you’re the best house-sitter for the job.
Choose a friendly and professional photo for your profile. We use a photo of our whole family in a unique travel destination.Then, write a captivating bio showcasing your pet care skills, experience, and love for pets and home care.
We include photos of us with a variety of pets, from cats and dogs to birds and horses.
3. Joining Reputable House-Sitting Platforms and Communities
To launch your house-sitting career, you need to be visible to homeowners. Joining reputable house-sitting platforms like TrustedHousesitters or MindMyHouse can increase your chances of being found.
However, don’t limit yourself to online platforms. Join house-sitting communities on social media, and attend local meetup events. The more networks you’re a part of, the more opportunities you’ll encounter.
4. Crafting an Impressive House-Sitting Application
When you’ve found a house-sitting opportunity that interests you, put effort into your application.
Personalize your message for each job, addressing both the homeowner and pet(s) by name, and direct your focus on how you can meet their specific needs.
Highlight any relevant experience or skills that make you well suited to the role and draw attention to any special requests they have noted. Demonstrating a high level of attention to detail will set you apart from the competition.
We’ve gotten feedback from house sitters that they picked us because our introduction was so high quality, so I know this matters!
5. Navigating the House-Sitting Interview Process
An interview or meet-up with the homeowners can be a make-or-break situation for you, as well as for them. We always request a video interview if we can’t meet them in person, as it does make a difference over a phone call.
Be punctual, presentable, and ask intelligent questions. This will show the homeowners that you take the position seriously and are fully interested in their needs.
Prepare some questions to ask about their expectations and their usual daily routine. This will help you visualize your time there and ensure there are no surprises for either party.
6. Preparing for Successful House-Sitting Assignments
Preparation is key to a successful house-sitting assignment. Once you’ve been selected, arrange a time to visit the property and meet the homeowners.
This will provide you with a valuable opportunity to ask any questions about the home and responsibilities. We always offer to arrive at least a day in advance so we can meet the owners and pets before departure day.
Create a checklist of tasks before your arrival, including details about the pets you’ll be looking after, health and safety information, and emergency contacts. Confirm travel arrangements or extra equipment you may need during your stay.
7. Negotiating Terms and Agreements with Homeowners
Before the homeowners leave, it’s essential to negotiate any additional responsibilities or arrangements—such as paying for utilities or taking care of additional tasks that may arise during your stay.
We prefer to negotiate this sort of thing before agreeing to a house sit, so that we know exactly what we’re agreeing to. And it helps avoid house sitting horror stories.
Create a signed agreement detailing all these arrangements, which will provide clarity for both parties, and something you can refer to if there’s any confusion later on.
While these often aren’t enforceable overseas, they still provide mutual understanding.
Need a sample house sitting agreement or contract before your next house sit? We’ve got you covered!
8. Understanding the Legal and Financial Aspects of House-Sitting
House-sitting arrangements are typically informal, but it’s important to understand the legal implications of staying in someone else’s home. This includes the official stance of house sitting as a job in some countries.
Familiarize yourself with local rental laws and any legalities around house-sitting in your area or the area where you’ll be staying.
Discuss the financial aspects with the homeowners and ensure that all costs, such as utility bills or property maintenance, are budgeted for and agreed upon in advance. Like who will pay the housekeeper who comes on Tuesdays.
We’ve had homeowners leave us “petty cash” while others have reimbursed us via Paypal or Venmo to pay for unexpected incidentals. We’ve had owners run out of dog food mid-sit because they forgot to buy extra.
9. Building a Solid House-Sitting Reputation for Future Opportunities
Every house-sitting job is an opportunity to build your reputation. Treat the home and pets with the care you would your own, and keep the property in excellent condition.
Leave the home in the same state (or better) than you found it, and communicate regularly with the homeowners to keep them updated on any developments. A good review from a homeowner goes a long way for future opportunities.
10. Maintaining Relationships with Homeowners
After your successful house-sitting stint, don’t cut ties with the homeowners. Stay in touch and express gratitude for the experience.
Positive, ongoing relationships can lead to repeat assignments or valuable referrals. You may even become friends and find that future house-sits are agreed without having to reapply.
We’ve had several people ask us to come back as well as refer us to their friends and neighbors!
Final Thoughts on How to Get House-Sitting Jobs
House-sitting is a unique way to travel affordably, connecting with local communities. It allows you to build deep relationships with homeowners and their pets.
Over the years, our house-sitting adventures have taken us to various destinations, allowing us to discover hidden gems and encounter remarkable individuals.
The bonds we’ve forged with pet owners have endured, stemming from our reliable and dedicated approach to securing and excelling in house-sitting gigs.
We hope that you can use these steps for how to get house-sitting jobs to build your own long and global house sitting resume. Good luck!
FAQs for Getting House Sitting Jobs
Do you still have questions about how to get house-sitting jobs? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Is house-sitting safe for both homeowners and house sitters?
House-sitting carries some inherent risks, but by following the steps in this guide, you can decrease them significantly.
Establishing clear agreements and maintaining good communication with homeowners will help ensure a safe and secure experience.
Do I need to be bonded or insured for house-sitting?
While not mandatory, having insurance for your house-sitting activities can provide peace of mind for both parties. It may also be a selling point on your house-sitting profile.
Consider getting house-sitting insurance, which can cover you for any incidents that occur during your stay.
How can I ensure I’ll get good reviews from homeowners after a house-sitting job?
The key to getting positive reviews is to be a responsible and reliable house-sitter.
Communicate well with the homeowners, keep the property clean and maintained, and ensure that the pets are cared for as they would be if their owners were home. Always go above and beyond, and the positive feedback will follow.
What not to do while house sitting?
While house sitting, don’t ignore the homeowner’s instructions or disregarding their privacy by going through personal spaces or belongings. Plus, hosting parties or guests without explicit permission is a definite no-no.
Do you clean the house after house sitting?
Yes, after each house sitting assignment, my family and I ensure the home is thoroughly cleaned and returned to its original state or better.
It’s our way of showing appreciation for the trust homeowners place in us. Plus it increases our chances of a good review as well as being invited back for a future house sit.
