House sitting has experienced a significant surge in popularity in recent years, especially as remote work and flexible travel become more common. As a seasoned housesitter who spent three years traveling the world rent-free, I can confidently say that house-sitting is one of the most fulfilling and budget-friendly ways to explore new places.
Even though I have a more permanent base now, I still love to house-sit as a more comfortable way of traveling. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out! I’ve spent over a year continuously house sitting in London, spent three months house sitting in New York, and have had countless weeks away all over the world.
I now have house sitters taking care of my own pets, so I have experience on both sides and also know what turns me off as a host.
And it’s not just me who’s fallen for house sitting as a unique way of seeing the world. Here are some fun facts about house sitters:
- House-sitting platforms like TrustedHousesitters report hundreds of thousands of registered sitters and homeowners worldwide, with thousands of active listings at any given time!
- House sitters come from diverse age groups, but are often skewed slightly older. Retirees have the time and flexibility, while young professionals and digital nomads embrace the cost-saving benefits.
- Around 70% of house sitters are women, but many people travel as a couple or even with kids!
- Some house sits don’t involve pets. These are often more focused on home security and plant care.
Tip: If you use my referral code for Trusted Housesitters, you’ll get 25% off! (And I get two months free!) I also offer consultations for people who want to learn more about house sitting — see below.
Here’s my insider guide to standing out and getting long term house sitting opportunities
House sitting offers the chance to live like a local, immerse yourself in different cultures, and care for the sweetest pets, all at no cost. But, with the rise in popularity of house sitting, how can you make your application stand out and land the sits you want?
1) Take time to create a stand-out house sitter profile
Your pet sitter profile is essentially your house sitting resume! It’s where you showcase your personality, your experience, and why you’re the ideal candidate.
Add high-quality photos of you with pets to your profile
This is so important. Clear, well-lit photos of yourself (and your travel partner, if applicable) create a positive first impression! Make sure to include a few pictures of you interacting with animals to demonstrate your pet-loving nature. You want lots of smiles and positive energy on display!
A detailed and enthusiastic pet sitter bio
Avoid generic descriptions. Instead, craft a compelling narrative highlighting your relevant skills, travel experiences, and genuine love for animals. Let your personality shine through!
Don’t underestimate the power of your house sitter profile headline
It’s a snapshot of your personality and can make people click through to your profile. You don’t need to mention that you’re an animal lover because that’s a given and something you’ll go into detail about on your profile.
I take this as an opportunity to say something about my personality; for example, mine said that I was bookish and had traveled to 40+ countries! This says we’ll probably have something in common and I’m probably not going to be partying and trashing their house.
If there’s something about you that only enhances your skills as a house sitter — such as being a great plant parent — mention that!
Some great references (Even if you don’t have pet sitting reviews yet!)
Positive references from previous homeowners, landlords, friends, or colleagues are invaluable. Even if you don’t have direct house-sitting references, character references vouching for your responsibility and trustworthiness can make a huge difference in the beginning. You can add character references to your profile on most house sitting platforms.
Read More: How to Get Started With Long Term House Sittin
2)Target the Right Opportunities
Not all house sits are created equal. Increase your chances of success by being strategic with your applications:
Start local to get your first pet sitting review
This is my number one tip for people starting out with house sitting. Securing your first few houses closer to home is much easier. This allows homeowners to meet you in person and build trust, earning you valuable reviews for future sits further afield. I did my first sit in a local small village in the UK. I got to have a little week away in a quaint village, and that review allowed me to pick up my next one in Amsterdam and then all over Europe!
Consider shorter and last-minute house sits
These are often less competitive, giving you a higher chance of success. They’re a great way to gain experience and build your house-sitting resume. Most long-term house sitters are looking for sit that are around a week, so they don’t have to move around as much. That means those weekends away are much less desirable and easier to get! These can be perfect for when you’re starting out, as you can just visit a different neighborhood for the weekend and go from there.
If you’re still struggling to get those first house sits, pick sits that align with your skills
This can be a great hack if you’re finding it tough to stand out from the crowd at first. If you’re a gardening enthusiast, for example, target house sits with extensive gardens. If you’re experienced with specific dog breeds, seek out those matches and let them know. Playing to your strengths makes you a more attractive candidate
3) Craft a Tailored Application
Generic applications are a surefire way to get lost in the shuffle. It’s easy to get in the habit of writing quick applications when you’re applying for a lot of house sits but resist! You’re better off having a template that you use for every house sit you apply for and take time to tweak it to the sit you want.
When a listing catches your eye, always apply promptly. The popular house sits fill up fast and sometimes homeowners will go only go through a couple of applications before finding their fit. I would often refresh the website every hour if I was hoping for a very specific city or dates.
This is where a good template that you can customize means you’ll create a good application but aren’t rushing.
Here’s how you take the time to personalize every application:
Read the listing thoroughly and address their needs
Address the homeowner’s specific needs and concerns. If they mention a high-energy dog, highlight your experience with active breeds. If their pet needs medicine, make sure you’re okay with doing that and then mention it in the application. Do you have experience with pets who have separation anxiety? Let them know! Basically, look for any specifics you can address in their listing and hone in on those things.
Connect with them on a personal level
Did you see something in their profile that resonates with you? Perhaps you share a love for hiking or have visited their region before. Building a connection shows genuine interest and makes them more likley to pick you if you have something in common.
Remember: express your excitement about the opportunity, but avoid overpromising!
4) Communication With the Homeowner is Key
Prompt and clear communication before and during the sit demonstrates professionalism and builds trust. Make sure to ask thoughtful questions; this shows you’re responsible and taking the opportunity seriously. Find out important details about the pets’ routines, house maintenance, and any specific expectations they have. You can also take the initiative to suggest a video call. This allows you and the homeowner to get to know each other better and gauge if you’re a good fit.
Sometimes, they won’t want one, and exchanging numbers and texting will be enough. If you’re nearby, you can even suggest popping around to say hello to them and the pet.
Both of these options go down very well in my experience and put people’s minds at ease.
5) How To Go The Extra Mile So You Get Repeat Sits
If you like blowing people away, then you’re in good company. The house sitting community is full of amazing people and most of us love going that extra mile. Also, getting invited back is a great way to be fully booked and never have days when you’re looking for other accommodation.
Here are some of my final tips for standing out from the crowd!
- If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable time frame, a polite follow-up email shows continued interest.
- While you’re house sitting for someone, send lots of pictures and updates about their pets. This will give them peace of mind and increase your chances of being invited back.
- Leave their house clean! You should do this as standard, but there are plenty of ways to go the extra mile. Strip the bed before you go, and do little things for them so they don’t have to do them when they return. You can use your intuition here!
Remember, it’s not jut about them. If the house sit or the home owner doesn’t feel like a good fit, don’t think twice about turning down a house sit. Once you get a lot of reviews, people will start reaching out to you! So you’ll get used to turning down house sits because they’re not quite right.
Overall, I’ve had a wonderful experience with house sitting and only a couple of times have I dealt with people who area little more difficult. Usually, I had feelings about those people during the application period. Trust your gut!
Need more advice? If you’d like a one-off consulting session about house-sitting to learn more and ask any questions you want, then get in touch via email! You can also visit my services page.
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