Transform Your Long Term House Sitting Experience with These 10 Insider Tips!

As experienced house sitters know, long term house sitting assignments come with their own set of challenges and rewards.

We’ve house sat multiple months at a time for the same pet owner, on several different continents. It’s a great way to really get to know a place as a local, but it’s not the same as a weekend or week-long opportunity.

Whether you’re embarking on your first extended sit or you’re a seasoned pro looking to refine your approach, these ten unique tips will help ensure your long-term house sit is a success for both you and the homeowners.

10 Long Term House Sitting Tips

There’s more to long term house sitting beyond establishing routines, getting to know your neighborhood, engaging with neighbors, and generally being adaptable.

Based on our own experiences housesitting for a month or more at a time, here are our top tips for making your experience a success!

1. Master the Art of Meal Planning and Inventory Management

One of the most overlooked aspects of long-term house sitting is managing food supplies. It’s easy to fall into the trap of overbuying groceries, especially when you’re in a new environment.

However, this can lead to waste and potentially leave the homeowners with a fridge full of expired items upon their return.

To avoid this, implement a robust meal planning and inventory management system:

• Start by taking stock of what’s already in the pantry and fridge.
• Plan your meals for the week, incorporating existing ingredients.
• Create a shopping list based on your meal plan, buying only what you need.
• Use a first-in, first-out (FIFO) approach to ensure older items are used before they expire.
• Keep a running inventory of perishables and plan meals around items that need to be used soon.

As your house sit nears its end, start planning meals that use up remaining ingredients. Consider freezing any excess perishables or donating unopened non-perishables to local food banks.

Before the homeowners return, create a list of any leftover items, their expiration dates, and potential meal ideas. The homeowners will greatly appreciate this thoughtful touch.

2. Develop a Comprehensive Pet Care Schedule

For many homeowners, their pets are family members, and ensuring their proper care is often the primary reason for hiring a house sitter.

To provide the best care possible and maintain consistency, create a detailed pet care schedule:

• Note feeding times and portion sizes for each pet.
• Schedule regular walks or exercise sessions.
• Plan playtime and enrichment activities.
• Include grooming tasks if required (e.g., brushing, nail trimming).
• Mark down any medication schedules.

Consider using a digital calendar or a pet care app to set reminders for each task. This not only helps you stay organized but also ensures that the pets maintain their routine, reducing stress for them during their owners’ absence.

3. Implement a Household Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining a home over an extended period requires attention to detail and consistency.

Create a comprehensive household maintenance checklist to ensure you’re keeping up with all necessary tasks:

• Daily tasks: Making beds, doing dishes, wiping down surfaces.
• Weekly tasks: Vacuuming, mopping, laundry, taking out the trash, cleaning bathrooms.
• Monthly tasks: Changing air filters, deep cleaning appliances.
• Seasonal tasks: Yard work, gutter cleaning (if applicable).

Include any specific tasks requested by the homeowners. When we have long term house sitting assignments, we’ll often hire a cleaner to come just before the homeowners return.

Yes, this takes a bit of extra investment but spending all day (or two) cleaning when we could be packing to leave saves us a lot of mental stress.

By following this checklist, you’ll ensure the home remains in excellent condition throughout your stay and make the transition back for the homeowners smooth and pleasant.

4. Embrace Local Produce and Markets

One of the joys of long term house sitting in a new area is the opportunity to experience local culture, and food is a significant part of that.

Make an effort to explore local farmers’ markets, produce stands, and specialty food shops:

• Research local markets and their operating days/hours.
• Ask neighbors or local community groups for recommendations.
• Try incorporating local specialties into your meal plans.
• Consider preserving seasonal produce through canning or freezing (with the homeowners’ permission and if you enjoy it).

Not only does this support local businesses, but it also provides you with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a deeper connection to the area you’re temporarily calling home.

5. Maintain a Detailed Communication Log

Clear communication is key to a successful house sit, especially for longer-term assignments. Establish a system for logging all communications with the homeowners:

• Keep a dedicated notebook or digital document for all house sit-related information.
• Record dates and times of check-ins with homeowners.
• Note any questions asked and answers received.
• Document any issues that arise and how they were resolved.
• Keep track of any changes to the original house sitting agreement.

This log serves multiple purposes: it helps you stay organized, provides a reference for any instructions or preferences the homeowners have shared, and can be invaluable if any misunderstandings arise.

6. Proactively Plan for Social Interactions

Extended house sits can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area. Combat this by actively planning social interactions:

• Research local clubs or groups that align with your interests (book clubs, hiking groups, language exchange meetups).
• Look for community events like farmers’ markets, festivals, or local sports games.
• Consider volunteering at local organizations to meet like-minded individuals.
• Use apps like Meetup or Facebook Events to find gatherings in your area.
• If appropriate, introduce yourself to neighbors and build connections within the community.

Remember to always prioritize the security of the home and pets in your care when planning outings.

Maintaining a balanced social life’ll enrich your house sitting experience and potentially form lasting connections in the area.

7. Assemble a Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Kit

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial, especially during long-term house sits when you’re responsible for someone else’s home and pets.

Put together an emergency kit that includes:

• First-aid supplies for humans and pets
• Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, wrench)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Emergency contact numbers (local police, fire department, veterinarian)
• List of service providers (plumber, electrician, HVAC technician) approved by the homeowners
• Copy of house sitting agreement and homeowners’ contact information
• Pet carriers or leashes for quick evacuation if necessary

Familiarize yourself with the home’s emergency systems, such as the location of the circuit breaker, main water shut-off valve, and fire extinguishers. Being prepared can help you handle unexpected situations calmly and effectively.

8. Establish an Efficient Cleaning Routine

Maintaining cleanliness over an extended period requires a systematic approach. Develop a cleaning routine that keeps the home in great condition without becoming overwhelming:

• Assign specific tasks to each day of the week (e.g., bathrooms on Mondays, dusting on Tuesdays, trash going out on Wednesday evenings, etc).
• Use a cleaning caddy to keep supplies organized and portable.
• Implement the “clean as you go” principle to prevent a buildup of mess.
• Set reminders for less frequent tasks like changing bedding or deep cleaning appliances.
• Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products to minimize environmental impact.

By maintaining a consistent cleaning schedule, you’ll ensure the home remains in excellent condition throughout your stay and reduce the stress of a major clean-up before the homeowners return.

We’ve actually taken to hiring a cleaner just before the end of long term house sitting gigs because on that last day or two, we want to be focused on packing and preparing for our next adventure.

While not something everyone would choose to do, the cost of a cleaner has become well worth the peace of mind for us especially when considering how much money we’ve saved by house sitting versus booking a hotel or vacation rental!

9. Document Your House Sitting Experience

Keeping a record of your long term house sitting experience serves multiple important purposes. It helps you remember essential details about the home and pets, ensuring that you can provide the best care possible.

Plus, documenting your experiences provides a way to share updates with homeowners, giving them peace of mind while they are away.

Consider maintaining a daily journal where you note pet behaviors, home maintenance tasks completed, and any noteworthy events that occur during your stay. This not only keeps you organized but also creates a narrative of your time in the home.

Taking photos of the pets and the property can also be incredibly valuable; with the homeowners’ permission, these images can serve as a fun way to capture memorable moments and track the condition of the house.

Moreover, creating a digital folder for important documents, receipts, and communications related to the house sit can streamline your organization.

This documentation can be invaluable for providing a comprehensive handover to the homeowners upon their return.

Ultimately, by documenting your experience, you not only enhance your own house sitting journey but also contribute positively to the homeowners’ peace of mind.

10. Embrace Minimalist Living

Long-term house sitting provides an excellent opportunity to practice minimalist living:

• Pack only essential items for your stay.
• Use multi-purpose items to reduce the amount of stuff you need to bring.
• Embrace the homeowners’ belongings (with permission) rather than bringing duplicates.
• Consider digitizing documents and entertainment to reduce physical items.
• Practice the “one in, one out” rule if you acquire new items during your stay.

Living with less not only makes your transitions between house sits easier but also helps you adapt more quickly to new environments. It allows you to focus on the experience of house sitting rather than managing possessions.

Bonus Tip: Plan for Downtime

Long-term house sitting can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you find yourself in a new environment without familiar social connections. To maintain your well-being, it’s essential to carve out time for self-care activities that you genuinely enjoy.

Whether it’s diving into a good book, journaling your experiences, or exploring new hobbies like painting or cooking, these activities can significantly boost your mood and keep your spirits high.

We love to go hiking whenever possible because it’s a low-budget activity that we can enjoy as a family as well as with the pets, assuming we’re caring for dogs. Plus, we work online so a fair amount of our time is spent on that, too.

Consider setting aside dedicated time each day or week for self-care, sightseeing, etc. This not only provides a much-needed break from your responsibilities but also allows you to recharge and reflect on your experiences.

And, using this time to explore the local area—such as visiting parks, cafes, or cultural sites—can enhance your sense of connection and make your long term house sitting experience more fulfilling.

We’ve actually made new lifelong friends at local farmers markets! So remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the home and pets!

Final Thoughts on Long Term House Sitting

By implementing these unique tips, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the challenges and joys of long-term house sitting.

Each assignment is unique, so stay flexible and adapt these strategies to meet the specific needs of the home and pets in your care.

Maintaining open communication with homeowners fosters trust and allows for any concerns to be addressed promptly.

And, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local community. Building connections can enrich your experience and provide valuable support during your stay.

Remember, your role goes beyond caretaking; you have the chance to create a positive environment for both the pets and the home.

Embrace each house sit with curiosity and responsibility, and enjoy every moment of your journey.