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Interested in Housesitting?

I’m not a housesitting guru, but as someone who enjoys getting free accommodation, and has done so through Couchsurfing, Workaway, WWOOF, and now HouseCarers,

here are my tips:

Beef Up Your Profile With References. This goes for any of these sites, but especially housesitting. Homeowners will feel way more comfortable accepting your application if people can vouch for you. I had two previous petsitting experiences, but I added in a reference from a roommate just in case. If you don’t have experience, offer to petsit for your friends at home before you start traveling!

Megan shares her success tips

.... Read more tips from housesitter  BackpackerPetSitter at the article below:


BackpackerPetSitter shows how it is done... tips when new to Housesitting at her blog "Beat, Broke, Backpacking"

Website is a Boon to Pet Owners Bonnie from Candler, Asheville Buncombe, North Carolina

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I just had to tell you what a boon your website is to us pet owners. 

I just arranged 2 different sitters for upcoming trips we have planned.

Your House Sitter members usernames Agostino and Memmereof3 are the two I just selected for my upcoming sits. Memmereof3, Janice and Bill  sat for us in '13.

One trip is 2 wks and the other 5.

Over the many years and many times I've used your service I've always been pleased with the way my home and cats were cared for.

We live immediately outside Asheville NC in Candler, in a rural setting but only 22 min. from downtown. Best of both worlds. We will need a cat sitter for our 2 indoor only cats.

View Housesit profile for Catsitter needed Asheville NC in Candler in very interesting and pretty area outside 


I've given the URL to countless friends.
 One cat, the Birman,  is very friendly and expects loving
while the other is a sweet but shy Siamese

Unfortunately, for them, several of them are squeamish about having strangers in their homes despite my reminders to check out references thoroughly, as well as privately communicating with the potential sitter to evaluate them, through your secure message system.

Oh well, their loss.

After recommending your website several times over the past year, one of my friends has finally, recently, used your website and she's happy too

Thank you!!  Bonnie (Cat owner username Bonbon5)

PS After recommending your website several times over the past year, one of my friends has finally, recently, used your website and she's happy too!

Cathy from San Diego, was able to extend her stay in Australia by getting 2 house sits scheduled back-to-back between Nov 23rd and Jan 1st.

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I have been a member on and off for years. 

I will be traveling to Australia with my sister in November and was able to extend my stay by getting 2 house sits scheduled back-to-back between Nov 23rd and Jan 1st. #awesome... Cathy (sitandstay4u)

View profile for House Sitter sitandstay4u
 
I am from San Diego. The usernames for my scheduled house sits are:
Kallangur, Northside, Brisbane Moreton Bay Region  Blossomnz
I live in Kallangur, 5 minutes from  shopping center, movies and about 1/2 hour to Brisbane centre .. Blossomnz
 
and anguscow1

Aubigny, Oakey, Toowoomba
Darling Downs,QLD Australia .. anguscow1
 

When I finish at Lisa's house  (Blossomnz), I'm going farther north to see the Great Barrier Reef before going home. 


I have been using HouseCarers for several years now and wanted to let you know how pleased I am with this service. ...HouseOverLake

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Western Mass, Amherst
MA,Massachusetts United States

I have been using HouseCarers since Since October 2010 and wanted to let you know how pleased I am with this service. Very well managed and very effective. Thank you.

We live in a contemporary glassed-in cedar home cantilevered over a small quiet lake in Western Mass. Depending on the season, the lake can be used for swimming, non-motorized boating, water and ice fishing, skating and skiing. Great wildlife and beautiful views from every room in the house.House has cathedral ceilings, an open floor plan, 2 floors, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, radiant heat, a small wood stove in family room, full kitchen, 2 decks. We have full cable TV and high speed internet access. There are abundant artwork and books. No garage and no basement. There is minimal yard maintenance

Housesit for username HouseOverLake - House Sitter found Western Mass, Amherst MA,Massachusetts United States





Mary, The Cat Whisperer of the highest order

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House sitter Mary, Username lovepetstravel2 , was my house sitter in Ettalong Beach NSW for 3 weeks in April-May 2017. Mary looked after my scaredy-cat Wendy, as well as my villa and garden.

Scardey Cat was hiding under the bed

I came home from my trip to a spotless house and a cat who actually greeted me at the door, despite spending most of her day under the bed before I left.

I consider her a cat whisperer of the highest order.
Ettalong Beach

If you are looking for a caring, quiet and thoughtful person to mind your home, look no further than this lady. I would gladly invite her to sit for me when next I go travelling and have no hesitation in recommending her.

Mary resides in America but is happy to house sit in Australia and New Zealand also.

Homeowner Denise username redape24 Central Coast, NSW AUSTRALIA ...

Synchronicity! Global House Sitters Dave & kathy Cutts (aka LoveTheWorld) Line up the Housesits.,and Share their tips, experiences and lifestyle change

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When you're in Tahoe and have a sitting gap to fill before your next Tahoe house sit.Then a housecarers.com listing  appears which fills that gap perfectly and is in Tahoe! Applied, interviewed and confirmed in less than 12 hours! .... Dave & Kathy LoveTheWorld

Gypsy The Airedale Terrier, Dave & kathy got to Love
Cute Lake Tahoe houe

We are 2 Brits who love to travel, we have worked in Europe, Asia and the USA and took some time out in 2014 to recharge. We did this by moving to Tahoe and enjoying the outdoor life.

 We are a professionally minded couple, I am a self employed management
consultant and Kathy after many years as a successful bank
manager is now an equally successful home maker.


When it came to look at returning to corporate life, an alternate lifestyle choice came to mind. House sitting! We were introduced to the idea of sitting about 7 years ago when backpacking (in Fiji) and in fact  Joined housecarers.com  back then though work life took over again.

Now we are in a position to commit fully to a nomadic lifestyle, we rent out our home in England, we finished our house lease in Tahoe (April 2016) and with no permanent home we hit the road!

Our number one reason for house sitting is being able to travel cost effectively for extended periods. Being able to spend time living more like an expat or in some cases like a local brings a new perspective to countries we've previously visited.


Another great advantage to the nomadic house sitting lifestyle is budget control, by choosing the duration and location of sits we have control over our living costs. We can stay local to Tahoe for short term sits, we can stay in the USA and road trip or we can invest in flights for longer term foreign sits.

Lake Tahoe

Drake having a walk on the beach

Our aim is to full time sit during 2017 and beyond.

We have secured a housesit in Idaho, and will also be Housesitting in Switzerland for Jan, Feb, March next year. Both housecarers.com

PS We have also just secured a 4 month housesit in Mexico via housecarers

Drake on the beach

Drake again



Travelingbeth Finds the Perfect replacement Housesitter for House Sitter for Great Dog in Sonoma Wine Country

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Hi Ian,

I am so delighted with this year's experience with Housecarers.
My sitter from 2015 retired from pet sitting, therefore I needed to look once more.
I had a much more difficult time choosing a sitter this time.

Brix on Dog Park Bench

This is his I am not ready to leave yet pose.
Each of the final four (had over 15 responses within 24 hours) had amazing qualities.  I could not have been more pleased.  I will be removing the ad and unsubscribing, but will be back in the early summer for the fall/winter 2017 and for next year if I need to look again. 

Russian River Morning Walk

5 Minute walk to the Russian River. Brix likes to walk in it. Not much of a swimmer.


TravelingBeth Housesitter found for Now Sonoma Wine Country, Healdsburg Sonoma,California United States Apr 7,2017 For 6 weeks


Young Melbourne-yoga-instructor-has lived rent free for 12 months, while housesitting around the world. She has saved $20000

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She has cared for a fancy house in St Kilda, Melbourne, a Bali Villa, as wells as apartments in Melbourne VIC Australia

Melbourne Yoga Instruction Rowie enjoying here Bali Villa

Rowie  27, has had 15 housesits since  she needed a new place after a relationship break-up 
.
She estimates savings of  $20,000 in living expenses through housesitting
Read Entire Article

Register as a House Sitter





We Save $12000 a Year Traveling the World

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For serial housesitters Denny and Eden Rudin, gone is their hectic, working-world life in the U.S., with car and mortgage payments and high medical costs. “With housesitting, we find it’s actually cheaper than our life was back in Arizona. Plus, we get to see new places,” they say.



House sit Costa Rica


One of the many opportunities available in Costa Rica at housecarers.com


“I never imagined I’d be staying in the homes of people I didn’t know, taking care of their pets and valuables in exchange for free accommodation,” says Denny.

If someone had mentioned it to me five years ago, I would have thought they were crazy.


Read Full Article - House sitting around the world

Register and subscribe to House Sitting Opportunies world wide

 

Ron And Anglea achieve a 90% success rate and Share their tips AND find Housesitting a perfect way to see Australia in comfort and with many pets to care for... which they simply love.

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We have been, I believe, remarkably fortunate in getting the house-sits that we apply for (about a 90% success rate) 
Ron and Angela
so that we are able to only take the ones we want, in the areas we believe will be interesting. Over the last 4 years we have built up excellent contacts, and friendships, in Qld, NSW, SA and Vic. We have enough return requests, and people requesting us out of the blue, to pretty well give us continuous "work"... if we wanted it.

It's a perfect way to see Australia in comfort and with many pets to care for... which we simply love.

As for 'tips' ... consider your house sit as a responsible job, do it well and return the house and pets to the owners is a happy and clean state. Then get brilliant references to post on your housecarers site. The work will then start coming to you... with the bonus of making great friends all over the country.

We are based in Busselton, WA when not on the road.

At present... we have just left a 2 month sit in Wiseman's Ferry NSW and, today begin a 6 week sit in stunning Warrnambool Vic... with two rescue greyhounds and two loving cats, Fantastic.!!!

Good luck and thanks, Ian

Ron and Angela Sims

House Sitter Profile for Ron And Angela 

Cat Proofing Your Home

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Cats are certainly very inquisitive creatures by nature and, very much like young children, will see many everyday items in the home as exciting new toys to play with. Unfortunately, the average house is full of potential hazards; so it is important to check your home thoroughly to ensure the safety and well-being of your cat.

Cat from Housecarers French Housesit


It is probably best to check round your house room by room and then move into the garden area and have a thorough check round there. Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the worst areas in the house. Both are areas where you will probably spend a reasonable amount of time everyday and that means your cat will want to be there too.


Think carefully about kitchen appliances - do they need to be out on the work surface? If you have been using the sink, do not leave it full of water, as a kitten could easily drown in it. Never leave pans, grills, toasters, etc, unattended when in use - interesting and tempting cooking smells could lure your cat into a very dangerous situation. Empty hobs, which have just been in use, will stay hot for some time and could badly scald your cat if walked on, so keep your cat away.


It may be a good idea to try and discourage your cat from jumping up onto the work surfaces.


Washers and dryers hold some kind of immense fascination for cats and a recently used and warm dryer, could make a tempting bed for a while. Always check your machines before putting any washing or drying in - it may even be a good idea to keep the machine doors closed at all times. Cats also seem to have an affinity for dirty washing, so your laundry basket may also be a suitable place for sleeping - always check where your cat is when loading up your washing machine.


As we know, cats spend plenty of time cleaning themselves and licking their paws. Unfortunately, they can absorb all kinds of poisons through their pads. Consider cleaning agents carefully before purchasing them, ensuring that they are safe for animals. Always store them in a cupboard out of the way and lock the door if possible.

Pymble Cat Sit Housecarers http://bit.ly/PymbleCatsit

Bathrooms, like kitchens, are also areas where plenty of water is used, which can sometimes be scalding hot. Never leave baths or basins full of water unattended and always keep the toilet seat down.


Houseplants can also pose a threat to your feline friend, as some of them are poisonous. Some cats appear to be able to sense when a plant is poisonous but to be on the safe side, it is best to check the safety of any plants you already have in the house as well as any you purchase.


Other living areas of the house may contain hidden dangers too, such as telephone leads, computer cables and any other type of electrical cables. Cats will adore these and will again see them as something exciting to play with - apart from potentially pulling equipment down on themselves, they may chew through cables and electrocute themselves. If possible, computer equipment is best kept in a room on its own with the door shut. Any loose and dangling leads should be placed behind things out of the way, or contained in a piece of conduit. This should help to protect them from feline attention.

Norwegian cat from Housecarers.com housesit


Open fires should be protected with a fireguard and any other small items around the home such as needlework equipment, drawing pins, rubber bands, paper clips, etc, should be kept in an appropriate box and put away after use.


If you live in a flat or an apartment, open windows could also be a hazard, as your cat will soon learn how to get through them and may not appreciate that there is a long drop below. You may have to attach a piece of mesh to the opening. Balconies can also pose a threat; so a mesh framework covered with climbing plants may act as a deterrent.


Moving into the garden area, even more dangers may be lurking, particularly in sheds, garages and other out buildings. Tools and chemicals are often stored in these areas, so always check that your cat hasn't slipped in anywhere whilst you have been working outside - keep them locked up when not in use


If your cat is free to roam around outside, it may come across all kinds of dangers in other gardens, but you can at least ensure that yours is as safe as possible. Think again about poisonous plants, insecticides, slug pellets, etc. All these items can be lethal to your cat.


As a cat owner, you must provide your feline companion with the best possible care and attention. Keeping him/her safe in your home will hopefully avoid any unnecessary dangers and help to ensure a long and happy life.


By Ian White © Housecarers.com

How to learn a language while housesitting

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Your housesit is booked, and your bags are packed, but there’s something else you’ve got to think about if you want to really get the most out of your housesit: speaking the local language! 

While you may not have time to learn more than a few key phrases before hitting the road, the wonderful power that is the internet makes it possible to learn a language while housesitting – with Skype language lessons from Live Lingua!



Live Lingua offers Skype language lessons in the 11 most commonly spoken languages in the world. As you work through your housesitting duties, whether it’s taking care of pets or cleaning a pool, these Skype language lessons let you converse with a native speaker of the language that works one-on-one with you to reach your goals – hopefully to reach fluency!

Live Lingua’s website is also full of great resources to help you optimize your study time and be comfortable in your new setting.

But first, let’s see why we think learning English for travel to the US is so important!


Should You Learn a language before or while housesitting? 


One of the first things most travelers search before going to a foreign country for the first time is Do I have to learn [language spoken in destination] before I get there? Will I be able to ask for a restaurant or locate a bathroom?!

It’s best to try and learn at least basic greetings and requests, as well as polite phrases and common questions, before hitting the road. If you have time, a few Skype language lessons before leaving home are a great idea, but they can be done while you travel as well.

How To Master Basic Vocab and Phrases


What are the most important things to learn before starting your housesit?

Basic vocab is always a good start. The Live Lingua Project offers a collection of free audio books and courses to get you speaking basic vocab and survival phrases.

During your studies, whether via Skype or while browsing the internet on your own, write key vocabulary words down on flashcards with the definition on the reverse side of the card or, ideally, a picture that shows what the word means. If you have the Anki App, you can search for a virtual flashcard deck of Travel English words so that you don’t have to carry the cards with you.

Then, practice using these words in sentences with friends, or say them out loud to yourself as you travel through locations in your own city. This will help you grow more comfortable and gain confidence with the full sentences needed to make statements and requests when you come to America.

Form a routine and stick to it


You’ve got a list of basic vocabulary for traveling, and you’ve been practicing aloud with yourself by naming places and objects as you travel in your own city. Now it’s time to build a routine — a set time every day, or every couple of days, that you have blocked off for language learning. After all, nothing good happens without will power!

One of the best ways to build a routine is to have accountability. There are a number of free apps designed to help language learners, often specifically catered to the language you need to learn. A quick search in the App store or on Google will turn up some ideas.



Once you have an app or have found a website that you like, get in the habit of utilizing it every day. If you set a time in your calendar to practice each day, or are hit with notifications from the app on your mobile phone, it is much easier to stick to the routine and keep progressing.

Apps and free websites are a great place to start, but it can sometimes be challenging to find a partner willing to practice consistently with you, as there is no real incentive to keep them involved if they decide to stop speaking.

Fortunately, there’s an even better option to take your learning a step further -- native speakers who are always ready to practice whenever it’s convenient for you!

Learn Online from a Qualified Native Instructor


Are you pronouncing words and phrases correctly? Or using the right verb tense and accents? It’s important to note that the free apps you download onto your phone, along with blogs and websites, are great for basics but aren’t going to give you the level of fluency needed to really converse. Native speakers who have mastered the language are the only true way to get ahead.

But for travelers who want to learn a language while housesitting, your best bet is to take lessons with a certified instructor who creates a curriculum based around your specific needs. Live Lingua offers a free trial lesson for all students who sign up here! [schedule a trial lesson today] Learn a language while housesitting:
 
Final Tips You’ve made a list of words and phrases you’re going to need on your upcoming trip, you’ve reviewed and practiced them over and over, and you’ve even taken awesome lessons with a professional instructor via Skype.

What more can you do? 


Relax and don’t stress yourself out. Locals will appreciate the effort you’ve put in to learn their language, and will be much more willing to converse with you. This could lead to some very exciting ideas and outings that you never would have found otherwise!

House Sitting Sarah, Explores the world out there. and perhaps finds a New place that is uber delicious to live.

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Hello Ian,

I have been enjoying house sitting SO much and just wanted to say, "Thanks!

Sarah, exploring her New Worlds.  View Sarah's profile username FreeHeart

I am from San Diego, California, and over the past year and a half have house sat on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica,; The Vieques Island of Puerto Rico; next to the Grand Canyon in Arizona for a couple of weeks as a vacation with my son; and in San Diego for a fun stay in my home town in between other house sits.  It has been a marvelous way for me to experience places I'm curious about either from a visitor perspective and/or as a potential next home area.


As my son, who is now a delightful 21 years and has "disabilities", moved toward living in a supported new home, it felt like an excellent time for me to explore the world out there and perhaps find a new place that is uber delicious to live! 

I've been having a marvelous time and look forward to more explorations!  When I started house sitting in June of 2014, I took a leap, sold most of the things in my life and left my home for 4 months on Vieques.

Since then, I've been experiencing a rich sense of being at home in the world and being the one being taken care of by a greater field of Life.  I do look forward to establishing a new home base some day; meanwhile, I'm having a wonderful time without one!

Based on your email address, it looks like you're in Australia.  I'd enjoy visiting that great place sometime!  We'll see what happens!

Thanks for your interest and for the service!


Sarah

Homeowners From British Columbia, securely Matched with House Sitters, for a 2nd time, so they can enjoy their Holiday, with their 3 spoilt cats in good hands.

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Hi Ian -

We have been having the most wonderful luck finding housesitters on the housecarers website.  Very efficient service and I have recommended it to numerous friends.  

We will certainly continue using it often.  We have housesitters currently in our home for 5 weeks while we are away, and another couple coming in January for 3 months

Garden By The River

All the previous ones have been very very good and we have remained email buddies with some of them.  No need to remind us of your wonderful service!



Relaxing in the Gazebo


Don't let unexpected Events back Home Spoil Your Holiday

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You could feel completely out of control when unexpected events back home try to spoil your holiday.  Or you could return to unforeseen damage caused by your plumbing springing a leak. Don't let this happen to you.Hear from experience Housesitters who have saved the Holidays of many Home and pet Owners.



Why you should never leave your home empty when traveling

House Sitting takes retired Canadian Couple on an Interesting 8 year ride around the world

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We've been housesitting full time for going on eight years now, and we're booked through to December 2016.  By then, it will probably be time to give it up.  So not much point renewing.  Still, I want to thank you for all the opportunities over the years.  We've been literally around the world and it's been a more than interesting ride.
All the best,
Matt & Paula

Matt and Paula Chose Long Term housesits at locations all over the world - House sitting Profile

Long Term Housesit France

Long Term Housesit - 6 months France

Long Term house Sitting gives you the opportunity to really explore and enter into the local Culture.

Long Term House sitters required for locations around the world

Long Term Housesitting Assignments : 3 Months and Longer

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Browse Long Term House Sit Assignments Worldwide

A long term housesit allows you to really explore and get to know an area. WIt can be a  great escape, and opportunity to refresh, and realy experience the local customs and community.  Long term housesits are ideal for Digital Nomads = like me , as I can run the housecarers.com business from anywhere in the world. Have fun browsing... Ian

New House Sitters Member Area / Control Panel Released.

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HouseCarers pioneered Secure matching of Housesitters and Homeowners in October 2000.  We have included 15 years of customer feedback into the new Members Portal.

It has many new exciting features - and provides a modern, easy to use interface with prompts on improving your profile. It will also respond, and function on mobiles and tablets.

Login now to take advantage, or register to get started.
New Responsive House Sitters Control Panel / Members Portal - responsive for mobiles, tablets

We have improved the selection and structuring of Locations and all members should login to check and edit your Profile preferred locations. Also select Preferences Preferred Portal New or Classic; for Login via your encrypted email link in housecarers notifications.

Visit www.housecarers.com and click Login top right.