The average American takes 17 vacation days per year. While planning your big trip may be fun, there’s a lot to worry about.
How will you afford nice accommodation? Who will take care of your pets? What if something happens to your home, like a break in or power outage?
House sitting may be the perfect solution to put all your worries to rest. But what is house sitting and how does it work?
We have the answers to all your questions and more! Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about house sitting.
What is House Sitting and What Does a House Sitter Do?
As the name suggests, a house sitter is someone who stays at your home while you’re away. In exchange for free accommodation and the use of things in your house (TV, Wi-Fi, kitchen, etc.), a house sitter will generally take care of the following tasks:
- Keeping your home clean
- Washing the sheets at the end of their stay
- Watering houseplants
- Bringing mail in or forwarding mail
- Taking care of pets
- Lawn and garden maintenance
- Organizing repairs in the event of an emergency
However, it’s important to go over expectations before hiring a house sitter to ensure both parties are happy. This is especially true if the house sitter will be staying for several weeks or more.
It’s also important to make pet care expectations clear if you have a furry friend. Not all house sitters are comfortable pet sitting, especially if you’re pet needs special attention or medication.
What Are the Benefits of House Sitting?
One reason house sitting has become so popular is that it’s a mutually beneficial agreement. Whether you’re the homeowner or the house sitter, these benefits can be hard to beat.
For Homeowners
The biggest benefit you enjoy as a homeowner is knowing that your house is being taken care of. You’ll return to a clean home, and if something happens while you’re gone, a house sitter will be there to let you know immediately.
It’s also very beneficial for pets. Many animals get anxious when going to a new environment, whether that’s a kennel or a friend’s house. Hiring a house sitter that doubles as a pet sitter will allow your pet to remain in the comfort of their own home.
One of the best benefits is that most house sitters don’t get paid. This means that by simply letting someone stay in your home, you can enjoy all these benefits for free!
For House Sitters
If you’re going on vacation, you may want to consider house sitting yourself. The biggest benefit house sitters get is free accommodation. Since hotels are often one of the biggest expenses, this allows travelers to stay in great locations without breaking the bank.
House sitters also get to enjoy the amenities inside the home for free. Having access to a kitchen can save you a ton of money and let you eat healthier while on vacation.
Your Guide to House Sitting
If you like to travel often and have been asking “what is house sitting?”, we hope this article helped. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a house sitter or you’re interested in house sitting (or both), there are many benefits you can enjoy.
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