This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate disclaimer here.
Save this Travel Tips article to your Pinterest board!
Here on The Peculiar Green Rose, I am always looking for new ways to save money or creative ways to make extra money that generally make life easier. House-sitting is a genius way to travel around the world for free. For someone who typically can’t afford to vacation or travel, house-sitting makes it possible!
House-sitting is a great way to take a vacation somewhere and get free room and board. The most expensive part about traveling is paying for hotels or lodging. However, with house-sitting, it’s like you’re getting paid to travel around the world! All you have to do is find a house-sitting opportunity in the area you are wanting to visit. Being flexible and having more than one desired destination will help. You sign up for house-sitting opportunities that are available, and once you are accepted by one, plan your vacation!
More From The Peculiar Green Rose
- 47 Free Printable To Do Lists
- 4 Easy DIY Valentine’s Day Printable Banners (Free!)
- 13 Cute and Free New Year Decorations To Print Out!
- Best Free Initial Wall Printables (A – Z)
- Free Letter Wall Decor Printable
- 177 Free Printable Snowflake Templates & Coloring Pages
- 14 Thanksgiving Decorations You Can Print Out
- 8 Free Halloween Printables
- 9 Free Printable Notes Page Templates
- Free Cute 2020 Printable Calendar (+ Free Planner Printables)
- 13 Free Printable Cactus Binder Covers
- 41 Free Printable Binder Covers
- 18 Ways to Make Extra Money
- How to get Free Netflix, Hulu, and Xbox Live Every Month!
- 8 Genius Ways You Can Save Time and Money Every Week
Easy Instant Pot Recipes to Save You Time!
- 46 Simple Beginner Instant Pot Recipes
- Easy Instant Pot Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee
- Easy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Dump and Start Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy Recipe
- Easy Instant Pot Salmon and Asparagus Recipe (4 Ingredients)
- Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Recipe (3 Ingredients)
- 7 Easy Instant Pot Recipes (Perfect for New Users)
- Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Full Time Travel Around the World
Some people have also used house sitting as a way to basically live rent or house note free. You can find house sitting listings that range from one weeks’ time to months at a time, and yes even a year. If you have a job that you can do remotely. Or, if you are retired and want to travel the world without all of the expense, you can turn this into a full-time house sitting, travel adventure!
Duties of a House-Sitter
So, while you are house-sitting you will have to take care of a few things for the homeowner while they are away. It is not things that will take up most of your time, but a few odd and end things that will need to be done on a daily basis. The posting will tell you exactly what type of pets, if any, need caring for. It will also tell you if the homeowner has any other requirements. You will need to go over these details with the homeowner to be sure you are both clear on what is expected.
Some duties of a responsible house sitter are:
- Taking care of pets
- Maintaining property (lawn, cleaning, mail, etc.)
- Watering plants
- Snow shoveling
Some perks that come along with the job:
- Obviously, free room and board
- Sometimes vehicles are provided for use during your stay
- Get to see new places that you couldn’t afford otherwise
- Stay in a house that is bigger than a hotel room
What to do first?
So now that you have decided you would like to take advantage of this house-sitting arrangement. What to do first?
First, you will need to do some research as to which websites you will want to sign up for. Your best bet is to sign up for a couple of different sites to get access to more house-sitting opportunities. Below are a few websites to get you started. There is a yearly membership fee with each site. The fees vary and do change periodically. Most (not all) of the websites will let you look around at the listings before paying to become a member.
These are the five websites that were recommended by house sitters the most. I have a longer list of other websites you may find helpful in landing house-sitting jobs at the end of this post.
- Trustedhousesitters.com
- Mindmyhouse.com
- Housecarers.com
- Caretaker.org
- Nomador.com
Next, Create Your Profile
You will want to put some time and thought into your profile. First impressions are what will get you the house-sitting opportunity. Make sure to keep your profile updated. List your previous experience. This could be previous house-sitting experience, homeowner experience or pet sitting experience.
Give yourself some selling points
Suggestions are your love of animals. Most of the house-sitting listings include the care for pets. Or, possibly a quiet and clean personality. In other words, you will not have parties in their home and will pick up after yourself. If you can speak a second language that is also something to list.
References
You will need references and possibly be asked if they can do a background check. If you have prior house-sitting experience that went well then that can work. If you do not, you can also use prior employment references or anyone that can vouch for you. You will want to speak with your designated references beforehand so they know when to expect the call and/or questions.
Make a list of terms to go over with the homeowner
The homeowner will have a few details of what they expect to go over with you. You should also clarify a few things with them before accepting the job to make sure everyone is on the same page.
For Example:
- Are you allowed to have visitors?
- If an emergency should come up, what is the protocol?
- If caring for pets, what is the preferred veterinarian if there is an emergency?
And finally, apply for house sitter openings
You will want to be quick in applying as there are many people who have this great idea also! Openings will go fast. You will want to apply quickly and respond quickly when the homeowners reach out to you. Good luck!
In Addition, Here are some bonus tips
Bonus Tip #1 – I am not a fan of credit card debt. Although, if you are someone who can use credit cards responsibly and pay them off monthly, it might be worth your while to get a good one that will give you plenty of airline miles just for signing up. You can use the free airline miles to travel to your house sitting (vacation) destination for free!
Bonus Tip #2 – If you own your own home you can rent it out on Airbnb for extra income while you house-sit in someone else’s home for free! Now you have your transportation and spending money covered with what you make from renting out your home while your away. 😉
List of additional house-sitting websites to travel around the world
- Housesittersamerica.com
- Luxuryhousesitting.com
- Sabbaticalhomes.com
- Aussiehousesitters.com.au
- Housesittersaustralia.com.au
- Mindahome.com.au
- Australianhousesitter.com.au
- Easyhousesitting.com
- Kiwihousesitters.co.nz
- Homesit.co.nz
- Townandcountryhomesit.co.nz
- Housesittersuk.co.uk
- Workingcouples.com
Do you have any creative ways that allow you to enjoy a vacation on a budget?
Want to remember this article to help you save or make money while traveling around the world? Pin it to your Pinterest board!
