If you are going to be temporarily leaving your house for days, weeks, or even months, you might want to consider hiring a house sitter to take care of your home.It can seem likeentrusting a stranger with your home is hard.Don't be afraid to be picky when selecting a house sitter, focus on finding someone that is right for your home.
Step 1: What services do you need while you're gone?
If applicable, house sitters are able to provide a host of services, including watering your plants, collecting your mail, and walking and feeding your pets.Knowing what you need will help you find a house sitter.
Step 2: Decide if you want a daytime or overnight house sitter.
If you are only going to be gone for a short period of time, you might want to ask a house sitter to come once a day to make sure everything is in order.If you need your housesitter to do more frequent tasks, like feeding your pets, then you should probably hire an overnight house sitter.
Step 3: A budget should be set.
You should consider how much you want to pay and what you are willing to give the house sitter.You can usually find a house sitter for free if you want a short-term overnight stay.If you are requesting additional services or expecting your house sitter to cover your home for an extended period of time, you will need to pay them.The average house in the US is between 15 and $50.Depending on location, house sitting duration, and additional services, the price can vary.
Step 4: If you know a potential house sitter, ask your friends and family.
Even if you don't know anyone who would be a perfect house sitter, there's a chance your friends or family members do.If anyone knows a house sitter, ask around.If you want to pay your house sitter, make sure to specify how long you will be gone.
Step 5: Potential house sitters can be found online.
If you can't find anyone from your friends or acquaintances, look for a professional house sitting service on the internet.Once you find one that fits your budget and has good testimonials, create a profile, input your information, and wait for potential house sitters to contact youDon't use classified advertising sites.Potential thieves know that your house will be vacant if you post an ad on these sites.
Step 6: Get in touch with your potential house sitter.
Reach out to your potential house sitter to set up an interview if you are using a professional house sitting site.It is possible to get to know them face to face if you invite them to your home.You can decide if they are the right person for you if you video chat with them.
Step 7: Prepare questions for the interview.
Think about the qualities you are looking for.Do you have any deal breakers?Getting to the heart of what you are trying to learn is easier with the proper preparation.If you have a partner or roommate that will be interviewing with you, make sure they are on the same page.Decide how long you want the interview to be and how structured it will be.
Step 8: Interview.
Look for house sitters who seem reliable, show up to the interview on time, speak confidently, and are willing to provide references.Why do you want to be a house sitter?You should give them an opportunity to ask questions, but be careful with the questions they ask.If they do something that raises a red flag, consider hiring someone else.Writers, academics, and retirees are some of the people who house sit.
Step 9: Have your potential house sitter take a walk.
Set up scenarios and ask your house sitter to walk you through what they would do if you asked them to.Asking them what they would do if a toilet overflowed is one of the scenarios.You can ask them what they would do if they broke something.
Step 10: Ask about any additional services they provide.
Ask the house sitter about their experience in that area if they will also be looking after a pet or a pool.Before asking them more questions, explain what they need to know.Tell them more about your pet, and then ask them what they would do if it got sick or ran away.
Step 11: Check their references.
Inquire about previous experience, references, and testimonials from your potential house sitter.Don't be afraid to be picky!There are more potential house sitters than there are houses, so don't worry about looking until you find the right one for you.
Step 12: A contract can be drafted.
Extra protection is given by a contract between you and your house sitter.You should include in the contract what your house sitter will need to do and what you will pay.If applicable, specify in writing if they can use things like your car or pool.Chances are they built a contract for you if you use an online agency.Reach out to your lawyer or other law professional if you don't know what to do.You can ask for a security deposit if you feel the need.If you are gone for long enough, you might want to ask house sitters to pay for the utilities they use.
Step 13: Exchange contact information.
If there are any problems with the house, make sure your house sitter knows how to contact you.Inform them of all the details, like how often they should feed or walk your pet, as well as anyone who might be accessing the house like a gardener or cleaner.
Step 14: Ask your friends or neighbors to check in.
If you are hiring a house sitter for the first time, you should ask someone you trust to check in occasionally and make sure everything is going well.You can contact the house sitter during your time away to make sure everything goes smoothly.