How to Get Started House Sitting - Our Best 5 Tips

[@GoWithLess]

Happy Wednesday, friends! After health insurance in retirement, the second most-asked topic we're asked these days is "how do I get started with house sitting"? As we all start getting back to our lives, I'm seeing a shift in people wanting to live their dreams in a more committed way than pre-Covid. No more "I want to live at the beach" put off forever...people are moving to the beach. That's incredible. I think a big part of Airbnb's model is the "living like a local" piece. With many hotel stays, Airbnb homes and house sits under our belts, I can say that Airbnb is closer to a hotel than living like a local. For me, I enjoy trying on someone's life while they're gone. It's an incredible way to see the world. And, the positive impact on our budget is massive. So, let's let you in on our secrets to getting good sits! I hope the surge of sitters is matched by a surge of owners as well as people get traveling again. Next week's video is all about this! See ya next Wednesday (or in our GoWithLess Facebook group!) Hugs, Amy

[@njcanuck]

A BIG missing here. Check out the visa requirements if you're a foreigner. The US regards housesitting as working even with no pay so you need a work visa. You can be forever barred from the States if caught trying to slide in. Other countries may have similar rules!

[@workingtoretireearly6711]

We just booked our first sit. It's fairly local here in the Silicon Valley an extremely desirable sit. We noticed a comment regarding the dog had a previous hip injury. We commented about it in the application and described our previous dogs hip injury and how we cared for him. We asked if was still an issue and that we would very cautiously watch for signs of a reinjury. We received a response immediately even thought there were many applicants. They confirmed us within 30 minutes. We had no idea about housesitting until we saw your videos. Thank you, Thank you!

[@GoWithLess]

Exactly what tip #3 was about!! Well done on your first sit!!

[@Jcthered]

That's fantastic!

[@joanjackson2170]

Minnesota can be a lot of fun in the winter. Cozy fires, beautiful skies after a snowfall, lots of cultural things to do, etc.

[@GoWithLess]

No doubt for people who like cold weather. After the past 20 years in Colorado, we are completely over winter and snow. We're seeking 75 degrees. 😀Unfortunately, so are most people. The good news for you (if you're interested in becoming a sitter) is that the cold weather sits usually aren't as competitive.

[@connorsdc]

From Cooky: How generous of you to give your future competition such excellent tips. You two continue to be "da bomb"!

[@GoWithLess]

I'm coming from a "place of plenty" on this one. 😀

[@2GoRoam]

This is just what we need now we are starting our House sitting life! You've already helped us get through the basics, Thanks so much for sharing these great tips guys, Brilliant 😁

[@GoWithLess]

I hope you love your first sit!

[@bonniehoke-scedrov4906]

This is my first time enjoying your KZbin channel. Great content! Looking forward to hearing more from you! Your video was so informative. Thank you so much! I'm interested in this for my young son who is just starting out in life. Apartments are so expensive and he absolutely adores animals, so what's the downside - none!

[@alphaandomegacenterusa]

Tim and Amy are blessed by God!

[@AngelaSmith-ql1qq]

Thanks for the information. Considering local house-sitting.

[@henryrivas8999]

That was amazing content, I immediately shot it over to a friend that just said, I would love to house sit! Thank you for both being so generous with your knowledge!

[@GoWithLess]

Thanks for sharing, Henry! This should help your friend get going.

[@ChickerysTravels]

Thanks for the info! We were traveling full-time in an RV for six years. We’re thinking of trying house sitting next.

[@GoWithLess]

How cool!!! Are you already in our GoWithLess Facebook group? I think you'll like it!

[@mecheckraise]

I can see some really liking this. It really helps a homeowner with pets for sure. They could save. I would loathe it, but can see the appeal.

[@GoWithLess]

Just like nomadic living isn't for most people, I'd suggest the same for house sitting. Many love both lifestyles but it's definately not the norm.

[@amandaluce4941]

Signed up yesterday for TH! Working on the About Us section now. :)

[@GoWithLess]

And, off you go!!! Welcome to house sitting!

[@Sunshine-nj8cd]

Thank you'll stay safe !

[@GoWithLess]

Thank you!

[@robyngledhill5052]

Thank you for your help and for sharing your ideas. I'm just starting out and think I should learn about the ropes close to home which you just mentioned. Biggest thing is my own ginger cat and I realized as a transfer back to St. Louis I didn't know anyone who could take care of my own feline in the same way I would (e.g.- The doors being important and always remain important even if I've said it 4 hours ago. Keeping them closed and sure they're not just barely closed)

[@GoWithLess]

Good sitters will take better care of your pet than you might. We can't imagine our negligence would cause a pet to escape or die so we are UBER careful, more so than with our own pet. Pick sitters qisesly and you should be happy. Good luck!

[@DewiiAljoe]

Very Great information

[@authoravapage]

We love Trusted Housesitters. We already have three weeks of sits. It’s such a good investment.

[@GoWithLess]

Yes, it sure is! Where will you be sitting?

[@irisstone2112]

Thanks, Amy and Tim - great content, as always! Now I just have to convince Patrick to try it... ;-)

[@GoWithLess]

House sitting is a big responsibility so I wouldn't blame Patrick if he opted out! :)

[@travelrefocused]

This house sitting stuff gets more intriguing by the week. I think once things calm down with our preparations we are going to take a closer look. BTW... Amy is so lucky that beady-eyed cicada behind her didn't jump in her hair🤣

[@GoWithLess]

Hmmmmm, there was a beady-eyed cicada behind me???!!!! If you remember the squirrels, it's a miracle that didn't happen.

[@travelrefocused]

@@GoWithLess There sure was. At about 2:15 into the video it walks from behind Tim across the back of the bench and headed right for you. Fortunately, it stayed on the back of the bench.

[@GoWithLess]

@@travelrefocused I am not going to look! Yuck!!

[@Jcthered]

Thank you guys!

[@ronbronb]

Tip #6, 7:27, don't look behind your shoulder.

[@GoWithLess]

EEEEEKKKKKKK!

[@ronbronb]

@@GoWithLess ;) i should've added also dont watch the replay..

[@raymonkolade9046]

Exactly what needs to know

[@RetiredLovingIt]

Interesting. I didn’t know how the house sitting thing online worked....great information 👍

[@GoWithLess]

Thank you!

[@Thegrassfedgirl]

great tips! thanks for the video

[@GoWithLess]

Thank you! You're welcome!

[@YocastaAReyes]

EXCELENT!!

[@amarie3309]

Just found you. Thank you for the video. Very informative

[@GoWithLess]

Welcome!

[@terricarver4873]

Wonderful video! 🌹

[@GoWithLess]

Thank you!

[@cynthiamoore2030]

Good to see you guys - not my area of interest but good tips.

[@GoWithLess]

Thanks for watching anyway!!

[@cynthiamoore2030]

@@GoWithLess Of course, you guys are my peeps (hope that is not weird).

[@lindado4011]

To start locally and get the reviews, is it better to try with word-of-mouth and other social channels and piece together screenshots/video reviews, or should we keep trying to search for local sits on the housesitting sites? I'm living in a small city at the moment, and haven't seen any posts in the area yet.

[@GoWithLess]

The way the house sitting sites work, there is a section for reviews. If your photo is a review from another source, that wouldn't be bad but it might not provide what would be helpful. First, the homeowner would need to SEE your photos. If you have no reviews, they might not get that far. Now, if a sit isn't competitive, this becomes less of an issue. If there are few applicants, the homeowners don't have dozens of good options. Also, TrustedHousesitters has a section for "references". These are non-verified references and that's where you'd ask your boss, neighbors, any people you have house sat for off THS, to review you. They are in a different section and they can help you get going.

[@val.financial]

Which sites to apply?

[@debramackillop950]

Where is link to TH site discount?

[@GoWithLess]

It’s in the video description. Here ya go… www.trustedhousesitters.com/refer/RAF123384/?

[@encarnacionespina6184]

Me encantó por mi esposo y yo somos como de su edad

[@armanrezvani2159]

How can we find paid house-sitting jobs in the fastest way possible?

[@missnani9329]

What is the legal responsibility for tge sitter? Does they need to sign a contract or authorization or what?

[@GoWithLess]

We have never signed a contract as a house sitter aside from scheduling a sit through a 3rd party website. Sits booked through TrustedHousesitters have Home & Contents Protection - www.trustedhousesitters.com/pages/home-and-contents-protection/

[@thehungrytourist328]

Great video, sounds like a lot of fun. Do you know if there are any free websites for people who want to find house sitters?

[@ramelle4938]

house carers

[@melodyebuskin5490]

Hi, Covid put a dent in our business so we’re looking to pet sit. Can we pet sit and bring our beagle?

[@GoWithLess]

It will be much harder to secure a sit with your own pet but this would be the best time to try. Here’s why - Why This Is the Best Time to Start House Sitting kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpLJiJidpdB6q80

[@kalebremillard7720]

❤️

[@chuckmader9333]

What am I missing about winter in Minnesota? 🤷‍♂️

[@GoWithLess]

You'd be missing 75 degrees.

[@julietravels6400]

I'm asking for someone I know who might be interested in housesitting. For getting experience before applying for more competitive jobs: 1) For local sits, does the house sitter need to be at the house sit location all the time, or could the sitter spend some time at his/her own home? 2) Would working for a pet care service like rover.com be useful experience for someone who has not done house sitting?

[@GoWithLess]

With any of the sites we've used, reviews are important. Just like we are hesitant to book an Airbnb without reviews, this is like that. Trusting your home and beloved pets to a stranger is easier with positive verified reviews. Having an in-person meet-and-greet could be a big help which is where the local piece comes in handy as a sitter gets started. The reviews aren't shared across different sites. To answer your first question, it's common to understand how long you'd be able to be away from the home and pets as a sitter before committing to a sit. About 4 hours max isn't uncommon and it can be important to be around during the pets' mealtimes and bedtime. On one interview, we learned their pet wasn't able to be left alone for a minute. We declined that sit. Also, the kind of sitting we do usually requires us to sleep in the home. If your friend has experience as a homeowner and pet owner, that's a lot of experience just from life. If they have that experience, that's all most of us have to start.