A homeowner who wishes to travel to another destination for a few days, weeks, or months might look for an affordable way to maintain their home and pets. It’s why hiring a house sitter has become popular today. As for the sitter, the job usually entails handling a combination of responsibilities by mutual agreement with the homeowner. It also lets the individual stay at another home, rent-free, and get paid for it.

Understanding house sitting
House sitting is when one individual asks another to stay in their home while they are away, usually for a set amount of money. The homeowner might have pets or plants that require watering, especially if they are away for weeks or months. Other tasks that might require handling include mowing the lawn, picking up mail packages, or staying on-site in an emergency. Typically, the homeowner might pay the sitter’s salary, and the latter can stay at the home rent-free.

Associated costs
If one considers housesitting for the first time, they might be concerned about what they should charge for the service. One should note that the associated cost of house sitting is wide. The average house sitting rate by the hour is $18. Most homeowners pay pet sitters per day rather than by the hour. This is a tentative amount, and the job might have a higher or lower pay based on one’s requirements. A few factors that may influence the cost of home-sitting services include:

• Whether pets are involved and if they need to be walked and fed.
• Duties such as watering plants and flowers must be carried out.
• If the sitter needs to stay overnight or drop by daily.
• The going rates of home-sitters in the area where one lives.

Tips to help with housesitting
While one could stay at home rent-free, a few tips should be considered before agreeing to the job.

Find the client base
Being a home-sitter isn’t about going to a home and getting on with the job. One must research to find ways to attract a client base. There are various websites that a beginner home-sitter can explore to find homeowners in need of relevant services. The individual should also create a profile on each website to which a homeowner may connect. One could also ask friends and family for references in the area. They can even consider setting up a social media page to promote themselves as home sitters.

Determine abilities
Before one commits to housesitting, one must determine individual abilities and not overcommit to the job. For instance, some home sitters are comfortable around cats and may need to be better versed in sitting dogs, other animals, or birds. When creating a profile, one must mention only what they excel in. A homeowner may also put out adverts that appeal to a home sitter. One must read each responsibility mentioned in the advertisement before contacting the homeowner.

Maintain transparency
One should be upfront about their intentions for the house sit and probable plans to spend time away from the home or pets they are supposed to watch. For example, one might want to spend a day away from home for a festive occasion. This may help the home sitter and homeowner agree on what best suits their needs.

Communicate
One should remember to keep in touch with the host before, during, and after the stay. This will help address various things while they are away and get relevant feedback after the homeowner returns. Additionally, if the pet becomes ill, the sitter should communicate with the host regarding vet visits and recommended prescriptions. One should also be prepared to handle emergencies, including a runaway pet, broken pipes, and extreme weather like floods and earthquakes. Such situations could be handled better through frequent communication with the homeowner.

Ask questions
Before the house sit begins, one should ask the host questions, irrespective of whether it’s over the phone or in person. This will show that one cares about the home and pets and isn’t doing it just for a paycheck. One could ask if the homeowner recycles or uses a special compost bin and when the garbage must be taken to the curb weekly. Other questions include if the mail must be taken inside, how often pets must be fed, restricted areas, and emergency services. The home sitter should ask questions about anything they might have doubts about so that they can handle the role easily when the time comes.

Sign an agreement
While a home sitter might discuss all the terms and conditions with the homeowner, it is always advisable to draw up an agreement and have it signed. Doing so will help both parties understand their respective responsibilities and requirements. It will also help avoid misunderstandings and maintain a professional relationship between the homeowner and the sitter.

Treat it like a home
While housesitting is ultimately a job, it lets one stay on the premises rent-free and draw a paycheck. One must always treat the house like their own, even if the job is temporary. The home sitter should keep things neat, and while it isn’t required, give the house a good clean before leaving. These gestures may help reassure the homeowner of one’s home sitter’s dedication to the job and rehire them regularly.