If you enjoy a nomadic lifestyle then House Sitting might be the perfect accommodation. Really, you don't really have to be nomadic as there may very well be plenty of local house sitting jobs available in your area. While it may not be the most lucrative career, it can absolutely have its benefits. Maybe you're looking to make a little side money. Could be that your mobile job allows you to travel freely. It might just allow you to travel and have your boarding taken care of in exchange for some general home care duties.
There are things you should consider prior to jumping into House Sitting jobs. In many sitting jobs the owners may request you care for their pets in addition to their home. This would include things such as feeding, walking (if necessary), and clean up after any pets. General housekeeping may also be required as in vacuuming, keeping the bathrooms and kitchen tidy, watering plants, and possibly some gardening tasks. You may also be responsible for the home providing any typical upkeep including garbage, mail collection, be present for any onsite repairs or services. Depending on the homeowner's needs and the duration of your house sitting assignment, you may even be asked to pay bills for the home owner.
Every house sitting job will vary as far as duties to perform as well as pay rate. The job may not include a salary or transportation costs and may very well just be in exchange for a temporary place to stay. In some cases the home owner may provide a daily fee for your length of stay. It's important that you clearly understand what the home owner is expecting of you and how you will be compensated. You may also want to consider drafting a document that contains the home sitting expectations and pay rate then have the home owner sign the document. This will help make sure both parties are in agreement and understand what will and what won't be covered in the house sitting assignment. You might consider running a criminal background check on yourself. It's not uncommon for a home owner to request this information. Having already completed a background check on yourself will save time and help create confidence in the home owner's decision to hire you for your house sitting services.
If this is a job that might peak your interest, get started by home sitting for family and friends. Develop a routine and make sure this is a job you feel confident doing and enjoy. Create rates for your House Sitting services based on the various tasks you will perform. You can advertise your services in various ways. Post flyers at local businesses like a grocery store, laundry mat, coffee shop or even your salon or barber. Take advantage of online classifieds and other resources. There are websites dedicated to connecting House Sitters to home owners. Most of these sites will allow you to create a profile so home owners can see potential sitters. They also allow home owners to post requests for a House Sitter so you can easily search for potential opportunities. Be aware these types of sites will most likely charge a small fee to have access to their resources.
Do a good job and create a good network of clients. Your client might recommend your services to their family and friends if they find you to be trustworthy and reliable. Be sure you ask if the home owners will provide a reference for you. This could help secure future jobs in which the home owners would like to have references. Over time you'll build a good resume of experience.