While on the surface of things, travelling the globe and living in comfortable, pet-inclusive homes for free sounds pretty amazing (and it is!), there are a number of things to think about which will help you determine whether you’re actually suited to this kind of lifestyle.
Do you love travelling?
While to a travel enthusiast house sitting looks like a very appealing option, it’s vital to recognise that it is a vastly different experience to other forms of budget travelling like backpacking or couchsurfing.
As a house sitter, you have a number of responsibilities which mean you can’t spend your days sightseeing or push off to explore other parts of the country whenever you want, if it means that the house and pets will be left unattended longer than they’re used to.
You need to understand that your personal plans must be built around your responsibilities, and not the other way around.
Do you genuine love animals?
Approximately 95% of house sits involve caring for animals. Homeowners seek companionship and responsible guardianship for their pets during their absence.
Each house sit offers a unique experience with different types, breeds, and numbers of pets. Whether it’s a playful dog, a friendly cat, or even exotic birds, being comfortable with and understanding the needs of these animals is crucial.
Before accepting a house-sitting assignment, discuss the type, breed, and number of pets involved to ensure it aligns with your comfort and experience. This ensures both your and the pets’ experiences are positive and fulfilling.
Are you adaptable?
House sitting, by its nature, requires a high degree of adaptability and flexibility. The road to becoming a successful house sitter often comes with twists and turns, so it’s essential to be prepared for the unexpected.
Sometimes, homeowners’ plans change, and they no longer need your services. In other instances, dates get changed at the last minute, or a pet might become sick and require you to have extra responsibilities.
If your aim is to become a full time international House Sitter, you must be comfortable with life on the go, and living out of a suitcase whilst surrounded by other people’s things.
The homes you’ll be looking after will also be radically different from each other and you need to embrace the fact that not everyone will have the same standards of living as you.
Do you cope well with change?
House sitting isn’t just about moving from one house to the next; it’s a lifestyle that requires you to navigate a sea of changes on a regular basis. These changes can manifest in various forms, and your ability to adapt and thrive in dynamic situations is crucial.
House Sitters find themselves transitioning from one home to another regularly. You need to quickly familiarize yourself with these new spaces, from the quirks of the plumbing to the layout of the kitchen.
Homeowners will have different expectations and you’ll need to be quick to adapt to these changes in rules, responsibilities and daily routines.
International House Sitters move between diverse cultures, languages, and ways of life. You may find yourself thriving in certain communities, while struggling in others, and need to be able to take all these changes in your stride.
Are you financially secure?
One major factor to consider is your ability to earn an income remotely if you’d like to house sit away from your local area regularly.
Since no money is exchanged in the majority of house sitting arrangements, you’ll need another way to earn enough money to cover your everyday expenses. Retirees with plenty of savings or a fixed pension tend to do well as house sitters, but it’s just as feasible for younger people who have the skills to generate a location-independent income stream.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that financial security in house sitting goes beyond covering your daily expenses. House sitting assignments can sometimes fall through or leave gaps in your schedule. During these periods, you may find yourself needing paid accommodation, which can be quite costly in some countries.
Can you keep a cool head in emergencies?
More often than not, house sitting assignments go smoothly, but sometimes life throws unexpected challenges your way.
Pet health crises can occur at any moment, such as sudden illness or an accidental injury.
Homes can also have unexpected issues, like plumbing leaks, electrical problems, or malfunctioning appliances.
Depending on the location of your house sit, you might encounter extreme weather conditions like severe storms, floods, or wildfires.
If the homeowner is unreachable due to travel or time zone differences, you need to be prepared to make informed decisions on their behalf.
