Are you able to envision your self lazing by a pool in a Costa Rican villa? Or spending a month in a penthouse overlooking Chicago? How about taking care of a number of canines in a Spanish winery? Any of that is doable with out paying a dime for lodging; welcome to the world of luxurious home sitting.
Luxurious home sitters and pet sitters are in demand world wide. They receives a commission for his or her service in free attractive lodging (and typically in money as well as!), to take care of luxurious properties.
I’ve had my justifiable share of home sitting experiences and have but to discover a higher job. From spending a month and a half pet sitting a Frenchie in Tokyo to occupying every week wanting over a few mischievous cats in London, home sitting is likely one of the greatest (and least expensive) methods to see the world.
However what are the duties of a luxurious home sitter? How do you change into one? And what’s one of the simplest ways to seek out and safe luxurious home sitting gigs? To search out out, proceed studying my information on change into a luxurious home sitter.
What Does a Home Sitter Do?
Firstly, you could be questioning what a home sitter does. Merely put, home sitters take care of somebody’s residence whereas they’re away.
The duties of a home sitter can embrace duties comparable to watering the indoor vegetation, protecting issues clear and well-maintained, and probably taking care of the backyard.
Typically, (however not all the time), home sitting additionally entails taking care of the home-owner’s pets. I really like spending high quality time with animals and this was the best attract for me once I first began out as a home sitter.
Total, as a luxurious home sitter, you’ll be anticipated to take care of somebody’s fabulous residence whereas they’re away, offering them with the consolation that all the pieces is well-looked after and safe.
Necessities to Change into a Luxurious Home Sitter
It’s possible you’ll be questioning what qualities or experiences you want with a purpose to discover such luxurious home sitting jobs. Whereas the necessities range per home-owner, there are some basic traits that most individuals seek for when on the lookout for a sitter for his or her residence.
Accountable: The primary factor owners are on the lookout for is somebody accountable. This is smart; in the event that they’re leaving their luxurious residence within the arms of a stranger, they should know that the home sitter is reliable and dependable.
Versatile: House owner requests, emergencies, and adjustments in journey plans can happen on the drop of a hat, so home sitters should be versatile. I incessantly have experiences the place owners should return residence early, or late, so I’ve realized to be versatile with my journey plans when making any commitments.
Downside-Solver: If conditions come up in the home, comparable to plumbing issues, dishwasher points, or WiFi connectivity hassle, problem-solving expertise are important. Whereas it’s best to tell the owners of larger issues, it’s necessary to keep in mind that they’re (possible) on trip and don’t wish to fear an excessive amount of about home upkeep.
Good Communicator: Often updating owners gives them with the comforting information that their house is in good arms. That is very true for pet house owners. I do know from expertise that house owners love receiving day by day pictures and updates on how their furry companions are doing and recognize relaxed reporting on how issues are going.
As you may see, there’s no have to get a home sitting certification or to take any programs to start out sitting. Home sitting has a low barrier for entry; you simply have to indicate owners that you simply’re dependable and accountable, they usually’ll be completely satisfied to host you.
There are, nonetheless, some further necessities if you happen to’re additionally pet sitting:
Expertise with Pet Care: Expertise feeding, strolling, grooming, and taking part in with pets is crucial for pet sitting.
Affection for Animals: Pets are household to owners, so they should know that their pets are well-loved after they’re not there to take care of them. Demonstrating a transparent affection for animals is significant for pet sitting.
(Non-compulsory) Pet First Support Course: Whereas this isn’t a requirement, having a pet first support certification can enhance your credibility and dependability, which may enhance your odds of securing a luxurious pet sitting gig.
This was undoubtedly the case for me. I didn’t have a pet first support certification for the primary two years of home sitting, however after taking a course, it was a lot simpler for me to seek out alternatives.
5 Methods to Discover Luxurious Housesitting Jobs
Now that we’ve gone over the necessities of turning into knowledgeable home sitter, you could be questioning discover luxurious home sitting jobs.
Fortunately, there are a plethora of internet sites, firms, and approaches to discovering these possibilities. Every choice comes with its personal benefits and downsides, so, I like to recommend signing up for a couple of web site to extend your publicity to deal with sitting alternatives.
With out additional ado, listed below are the highest 5 methods to seek out luxurious home sitting jobs:
1. Trusted Housesitters
Trusted Housesitters is indisputably the most important home sitting platform on the web, crammed with a plethora of each luxurious and non-luxury home sitting alternatives.
TrustedHousesitters gives lots of perks, together with a 24/7 vet hotline, a user-friendly interface, a useful membership crew, and reliable identification checks. Nonetheless, the sign-up payment is a little more costly than others on this record.
So as to entry and use Trusted Housesitters, you must pay $129 per 12 months. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of home sitting gigs on the web site are unpaid. Goats On The Street readers obtain 20% off the yearly payment – click on right here for particulars and low cost.
Regardless of the associated fee, Trusted Housesitters is large and gives an abundance of mansion sitter jobs, locations with swimming pools, and sits in unique locations. It has essentially the most jobs out there of any on this record and is an effective way for newbie luxurious home sitters to discover a match for them.
I’ve used TrustedHousesitters for years, and have succeeded in getting glorious home sitting gigs in Tokyo, Kobe, London, Brussels, Edinburgh, and extra. Total, Trusted Housesitters is likely one of the greatest methods to seek out luxurious pet sitting alternatives. Click on right here to seek out out extra and apply.
2. Nomador
One other nice worldwide home sitting platform is Nomador. With an easy-to-use web site crammed with luxurious home sitting alternatives, Nomador is likely one of the greatest methods to get began as a home sitter.
Nonetheless, like Trusted Housesitters, a lot of the jobs are unpaid and you must pay for a membership, with the most affordable choice costing $85 per 12 months.
Not like TrustedHousesitters, you may join a quarterly membership as a substitute of an annual membership which can assist you lower your expenses if you happen to’re not planning to deal with sit year-round.
3. Home Sitters America
Should you’re solely on the lookout for luxurious home sitting jobs in the US, then I like to recommend testing Home Sitters America.
Whilst you nonetheless should pay for a membership, it solely prices $49 per 12 months and also you’re permitted to cost owners to your service (you set the payment!). Total, Home Sitters America is an effective way to seek out paid, luxurious home sitting alternatives within the states.
4. Luxurious Home Sitting
In search of a web site devoted to deal with sitting mansions and different luxurious properties? If that’s the case, you must head to Luxurious Home Sitting.
With a less expensive membership payment (costing $25 per 12 months) and a concentrate on home sitting essentially the most beautiful properties, Luxurious Home Sitting is likely one of the greatest web sites to seek out luxurious properties to deal with sit for. The listings can are usually fairly skinny, so needless to say it may be exhausting to seek out out there work.
5. Home Carers
Final however not least, Home Carers is likely one of the longest-running home sitting platforms on the web. It gives worldwide luxurious and non-luxury home sitting gigs and is an effective way to get began.
Home Carers gives one of many cheaper membership charges at simply $50 per 12 months. Nonetheless, most home sitting alternatives are unpaid and the variety of jobs listed could be restricted, particularly in comparison with extra common web sites like Trusted Housesitters.
The best way to Change into a Luxurious Home Sitter
Now that we’ve gone over the very best home sitting web sites, let’s get into change into a luxurious home sitter.
I’ve used the next 5 steps to safe most of my pet sitting jobs world wide, together with gigs in Canada, Japan, the UK, and Belgium, and I’m assured that following the following pointers will assist you to safe your first luxurious home sitting job too.
With out additional ado, listed below are the 5 final steps for turning into a luxurious home sitter:
1. Be a part of One (or Many) Home Sitting Web sites
So as to discover alternatives for home sitting luxurious properties, you must be a part of a number of home sitting web sites.
I’ve listed the very best web sites above (Trusted Housesitters, Nomador, Home Sitters America, Luxurious Home Sitting, and Home Carers), however some alternate options embrace MindMyHouse, Home Sitters Canada, and Rover. I like to recommend signing up for a couple of web site to widen your pool of doable job alternatives.
Once I first began out as a home sitter, I solely used TrustedHousesitters. Because it’s the biggest home sitting platform out there, it was fairly simple to seek out work.
Nonetheless, since we’re targeted on extra aggressive luxurious home sitting gigs, it’s higher to make use of a number of home sitting web sites, (as long as you’ve the finances to pay for a number of membership charges).
Alternatively, you may attempt Googling “luxurious home sitter jobs close to me,” and see what pops up. I used to be capable of finding a paid home sitting job in Vancouver by doing this earlier than, so it’s price a shot!
2. Create Your Profile
Subsequent, it’s time to create a killer profile in your one (or many) home sitting web sites. You’ll have to nail this if you wish to change into a luxurious home sitter, particularly if you happen to don’t have any prior expertise.
Your profile must be skilled, well-written, and concise, nevertheless it also needs to convey your character and your love for animals (if you happen to’re trying to pet sit). Embody pictures that showcase your character, and loads of you with pets (for pet sits).
Define any related expertise, testimonials, critiques, and pet sitting, home sitting, or pet care expertise. Embody particular examples that show your duty, reliability, flexibility, and problem-solving expertise. Additionally, don’t be shy to clarify why you wish to home sit.
Most home sitting profiles additionally require a headline or a hook that are nice methods to seize owners’ consideration, so take a while to suppose your phrases over. On my home sitting profiles, I typically embrace the phrases “accountable”, “skilled”, “non-smoking”, and “solo home sitter”. You may also embrace phrases like “animal-loving,” “passionate,” and “skilled.”
3. Acquire Your References
Whereas amassing references isn’t part of creating your own home sitting profile, it’s necessary sufficient to have its personal separate step. To current your self as a dependable and reliable luxurious home sitter, you want dependable references.
Should you don’t have any home sitting expertise, collect some testimonials or critiques from different reliable sources. These can embrace references out of your employer, landlord, or co-workers. Should you’ve ever home sat for a good friend, they will write a evaluation for you too.
Once I first began out as a pet sitter, I included a reference from a earlier supervisor, who outlined examples of once I demonstrated duty, dependability, and tidiness. I additionally acquired a reference from a chicken rehabilitation heart the place I volunteered for some time.
All of that is to say that there are a lot of methods so that you can show your reliability to owners. Irrespective of the place you might be in your own home sitting journey, it’s important to incorporate glowing critiques.
4. Write an Participating Software Message
After you’ve completed your own home sitting profile, it’s time to seek out the proper luxurious home sitting job and apply. On most web sites, you’re in a position to seek for your splendid job by including filters to the search engine, specifying locations, dates, property varieties, and animals.
When you’ve discovered a gig (or many) that you simply really feel you’d be match for, it’s time to use for the job by writing an attention-grabbing and related software message. Introduce your self, define your earlier expertise, and clarify why you’re proper for the function. Keep in mind to tailor your message to the precise advert, together with the names of the owners and their pets.
Throughout the software messages I ship, I additionally embrace a few related questions particular to their pets. Not solely does this present that I’ve fastidiously learn over their home sitting request, nevertheless it additionally demonstrates that I’ve a transparent curiosity and concern for his or her furry family members. Some questions you may ask embrace:
- Do they take any medicines?
- For cats: are they an indoor cat or an outside cat?
- For canines: do they get alongside effectively with different canines?
5. Nail the Interview!
After you’ve despatched your software message, it’s time to attend for the owners to undergo all of the functions and create a shortlist of the home sitters they wish to interview. Should you’re one of many chosen ones, congratulations! Now it’s time to nail the interview.
Some interviews can occur face-to-face (notably if it’s a neighborhood luxurious home sit), however most will occur just about. Be sure you’re presentable and ready to reply questions on your own home sitting and pet care expertise, in addition to your motive for home sitting. Once more, preserve a number of insightful questions in thoughts to ask on the finish.
The tone and sort of questions requested within the interviews range per home-owner. A few of my interviews had been fast chats to make sure that I used to be who I claimed to be, while others had been longer, in-depth interviews the place the owners took deep consideration in deciding whether or not or not I used to be the very best match for the function.
Keep in mind, these home sitting gigs could be fairly aggressive, particularly for a distinct segment alternative. Don’t get discouraged if you happen to get rejected – belief that you simply’ll finally land your first luxurious home sitting job and know that it’s going to solely get simpler to land extra jobs as you acquire extra expertise and credibility as a home sitter.
How A lot Do Home Sitters Get Paid?
Now that we’ve gone over land your first gig, you could be questioning what a luxurious home sitting wage is like.
Sadly, most home sitters are merely paid by way of free lodging. As a newbie, you must undoubtedly anticipate this to be the case more often than not. Nonetheless, there are some non-monetary perks that include luxurious home sitting gigs.
As an example, not solely do you get to remain in a high-end, luxurious residence with all of the utilities coated, however these gigs often include free automobile use which is a good profit.
Moreover, as you acquire extra expertise, testimonials, and {qualifications} (like pet first support certifications), you can begin leveraging your expertise for cash. Some home sitters can earn round $25 to $80 per evening relying on the home-owner, the duties of the home sit, and your earlier expertise.
I acquired my first paid job after home sitting for 2 years the place I earned $35 per evening. Keep in mind to be affected person and picture fee as a bonus moderately than a given, and that whether or not or not you receives a commission will range from job to job.
Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter
To this point, we’ve gone over what home sitting is, what necessities it’s worthwhile to change into a home sitter, and change into a luxurious home sitter. Should you’re nonetheless not satisfied it’s price it, listed below are some professionals and cons of being a home sitter that can assist you determine:
Professionals of home sitting
- Free lodging: That is the most important and most evident perk of luxurious home sitting. Should you’ve ever dreamt of spending a month in a fortress, winery, mansion, penthouse, or villa, luxurious home sitting is the most affordable approach to make this a actuality.
- Stay like a neighborhood: That is my favourite a part of home sitting. Home sitting lets you keep in much less touristy areas and offers you an in with the locals. I like to recommend all the time asking your home-owner for the very best locations to go to throughout your keep.
- Spend high quality time with animals: Should you’re residing a nomadic way of life however crave the companionship of a loving pet, home sitting is the best way to go. It’s why I first started my home sitting journey.
- The work is straightforward: Whereas this varies per residence, home sitting sometimes requires little effort. Take the canines out for a stroll, preserve issues clear and well-maintained, and water the vegetation. With so little work, you’ll have lots of free time to do different issues, like freelance proofreading, exploring, or running a blog.
- It’s versatile. There are various home sitting gigs out there, so you may search for jobs based mostly in your preferences. From short-term sits to deal with sits that final for months, there are a lot of choices to select from.
Cons of home sitting
- It’s largely unpaid: Only a few folks could make a residing off of home sitting alone, as most home sitters receives a commission in free lodging solely (though you can additionally take a look at this as saving on lodging prices!).
- Most home sitting web sites cost membership charges: Not solely is the work primarily unpaid, however most web sites cost an annual subscription payment. I see this fee as a small funding; if I pay $129 per 12 months for a Trusted Housesitters membership (which is definitely 20% much less utilizing this particular hyperlink), and an ordinary resort in Osaka prices $65 per evening, then I solely want to deal with sit in Osaka for 2 days to get my a reimbursement.
- Final-minute cancellations can occur: Generally owners should cancel their journey plans on the final minute. Whereas emergencies aren’t anybody’s fault and it’s necessary to sympathize, it may be irritating and annoying to give you a backup journey plan at brief discover.
- Generally pets aren’t well-behaved or skilled: If they’ve a mischievous or poorly-behaved/skilled pet, it may be annoying to look after and clear up after them.
- You’re not utterly free to journey or exit: Whereas home sitting is likely one of the greatest and least expensive methods to journey, it will possibly additionally forestall you from doing all the pieces you wish to do, as caring for the pets and home should take precedence.
Luxurious Housesitting: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on luxurious home sitting:
Fortunately, there aren’t any official certifications you require or programs you must full to change into a home sitter. Home sitters merely should be accountable, dependable, versatile, clear, and attentive, and should love animals if pet sitting.
The easiest way to get began as a luxurious home sitter with none expertise is to enroll in home sitting web sites, write an unbelievable profile crammed with nice character references from employers, associates, or landlords, and apply to a number of home sitting jobs. Whilst you may get lots of rejections at first, you’ll finally land your first sit.
Sure, there are a lot of jobs out there on the market. Reliable and reliable luxurious home sitters are in demand!
Sometimes, most luxurious home sitting jobs are unpaid. Nonetheless, they typically include lots of perks comparable to free, fabulous lodging, free utilities, and typically even free automobile use.
Sure, I can let you know from expertise that luxurious home sitting is legit. There are various luxurious home sitting alternatives on the market which could be discovered on web sites comparable to TrustedHousesitters and Luxurious Home Sitting.
While most luxurious home sitting jobs are unpaid, it’s acceptable to cost $25 to $80 per evening, dependent in your expertise, the duties requested of you, and the home-owner’s finances.
In Conclusion
I hope this text has you impressed and able to change into knowledgeable luxurious home sitter. Whereas there are undoubtedly some cons to think about when selecting to deal with sit, nothing beats staying in an opulent and spacious home rent-free!
There’s additionally no higher approach to see the world; my favourite journey recollections stemmed from home sitting. So, open up your laptops and begin making use of for jobs, it’s time to start out home sitting in your dream vacation spot. Don’t overlook to use this hyperlink to obtain 20% off your Trusted Housesitters membership payment.
