Eight Tips on How to Become a House Sitter
Have you ever wanted to be a house sitter and learn all about how it works? House sitting is no easy task but it’s something very fun to do as well! But there are things you’ll need to know about being a house sitter and how you can find your first customer! After all, it’s quite difficult to house sit for the first time because people want to look for someone reputable and with experience!
So if you’re interested in becoming a house sitter but don’t know how to become a sitter, then here are my top eight tips on how to begin!
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How to Find a Gig
When looking for a house sitting gig, you will need to be patient! Fortunately, the Internet has made it much easier to look for people who need house sitters. All you need to do is to go through reputable websites like Mind My House or Trusted House Sitters. Build a good profile (we’ll get to that later) and start applying! Self-advertising and handing out flyers or posting on social media helps as well. Networking goes a long way!
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Getting References and Required Documents
You won’t be able to get the right clients without them looking through your references. After all, that’s what they need to ensure that the house sitter they choose can be trusted while they are gone. What you can do is to get references from your close family and friends whose pets or homes you have cared for, AirBnB references, from the workplace, or from commendable figures! I also recommend that you get a police criminal record check for both you and your potential client for both parties to feel comfortable.
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You Have To Love And Learn About Animals!
Be prepared for all the types of clients to come your way, some with pets that need to be taken cared for while they’re gone. That means you can’t stay away from animals and you’ll need to love them while learning all about how to ensure that they are well-fed, loved, and protected from any emergencies or sicknesses.
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Don’t Be Picky and Be Flexible
Like mentioned, there will be a lot of clients looking for someone to care for their homes and there will be no specific length or location all your clients will be going to. Some may be out for just the weekend, while others are away for months at a time. It’s best to be open to all applications to secure a gig.
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Get All of the Info You Need
Before you accept a gig, it’s best to collect all the information you need so you’ll be able to prepare for the gig. Ask all the questions you need so you are both on the same terms and have a clear idea of what responsibilities you’ll be doing. You can also ask about the neighborhood and pets they may have!
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Constantly Update And Communicate
Once you have landed a gig and began house sitting, then you must constantly update the owners when you can. It’s best to agree when to send updates (a certain time or day) so as not to disturb the homeowners with their vacation. Sending them photos of their pets, the garden, or the home will help keep their mind at ease.
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Have a Good Profile And Application
When you are writing a profile for your social media or website, then it’s best to write more about yourself and to make it sweet but personal. List down your interests, skills, qualifications, and communicate your passions. Put yourself in the clients’ shows and show them that you have the qualities that make you the best home sitter for them.
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Make Sure That You Know About Housekeeping
You won’t only be living or looking after their house! You also have to ensure that everything is clean, doing daily vacuuming, checking after their pets, and gardening, if it’s a must. Learn about how to clean and maintain a house properly before you become a house sitter.
Wrapping It Up
House sitting doesn’t need to be a tough job to get, as long as you get good references and start off with prior knowledge of how to become one. With this job slowly gaining popularity, you will surely find good homes and clients to build your reputation. It all starts with a quick search and the motivation to keep learning!
I hope that this article on how to become a house sitter helped you become more knowledgeable on what you should do to take on the job of your dreams. So don’t wait any longer and begin following these steps to become a reputable house sitter today!
If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on becoming a house sitter, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.
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