How I became a housesitter

I have been travelling full-time since 2017 and I have spent much of it house- and pet-sitting. I’ve been in the same position as you, wondering how to get started as a housesitter. Hopefully, I can shed some light on the process and help get you started on your own housesitting journey!

There are so many adventures to be had, close to home or halfway across the globe!

1. I signed up to a platform

The easiest and quickest way to get started as a housesitter is to utilise one of the existing housesitting platforms which connects sitters with home and pet owners. I’ve tried a fair few platforms but when it comes to finding a large variety of housesitting opportunities, TrustedHousesitters is the best. They have worldwide housesits with over 200k members actively using the platform. Read my full TrustedHousesitters review to find out more.

Trustedhousesitters pet sitting graphic that says 'explore the world with pet sitting'

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Use code VEGAN25 at checkout to get 25% off your first year of membership of TrustedHousesitters. Applies to both sitters and home owners.

You can also check out Nomador, Rover and Workaway which also have housesitting opportunities, but not the same quantity. No matter which platform you choose, it will cost you money in some form. The majority of the platforms offer a membership service and then the housesits themselves are free for both sitter and homeowner (like TrustedHousesitters), whilst some platforms allow you to get paid for your services and will charge you a small fee on every booking (like Rover).

I do find platforms like Rover somewhat limiting though as there are more boarding opportunities (where you look after the animals in your home) than there are housesits. Moreover, membership platforms like TrustedHousesitters aren’t always advertising pet-sitting opportunities, you will also find pure house sits where you just go to look after their home. So, this may be beneficial to those who don’t want the responsibility of looking after pets.

2. I created a stellar profile

When you are new to any platform you must create an informative and engaging profile with a bio and plenty of photographs – bonus if you can include photos of you with animals! The more helpful your profile is the easier it will be to land housesits. This is particularly important in the beginning since you won’t have reviews on the platform.

Interestingly, the more reviews I built on the platform the less that homeowners were reading my biography. I know this because one of the points in my bio is that I am vegan but I am happy to feed pets non-vegan food, yet the last few homeowners have offered me animal products when I met them. I assume they must get a good feeling from the photographs and the genuine reviews that I now have on my profile.

Here are some top tips for creating a great housesitting profile:

Draw from any previous experience elsewhere
Include links to any external reviews where possible
Add images of you with animals
Be honest! Otherwise, you might get caught out

How to become a housesitter image of Iris the cat

3. I applied for easy housesitting gigs

It can be difficult to win housesits without any reviews for the homeowners to base their decision on. It can be a bit of a Catch 22 situation, without reviews you can’t land housesits, but you need housesits in order to get reviews. Thankfully, there are homeowners out there who are willing to take a chance on new sitters, particularly when they click with your profile. Hence why it is important to write a great bio and upload great pictures!

In my experience, I found it easier to apply for housesits that were closer to home and maybe at less desirable times and/or in locations that aren’t as popular. Starting closer to home means you can offer to meet them beforehand, which often goes down well, and choosing housesits that aren’t as popular means you have a greater chance of winning it. Sits in the centres of big cities or popular destinations are always super competitive. Although, that doesn’t mean they are impossible.

How to write a great intro message

Platforms like TrustedHousesitters allow you to write an introduction message to the homeowner every time you apply for a new housesit. You must put time and effort into this. Take a look through their listing and respond to anything they mention within it. For example, if they say their pet needs medicine administering, mention that you are comfortable with this or if you have experience of doing this, let them know. I like to make friendly and fun comments about their pets, based on the photographs and bios. I also mention any of my previous experiences that are relatable to their house sit.

To top it all off, I offer a video chat to discuss particulars. If they live locally, I may even offer to meet in person.

4. I video called homeowners

Every time I apply for a housesit I offer a video call with the homeowners. This is important for both parties as you can find out more about the housesit and they can find out more about you. It also gives you a chance to show your personality, something that is hard to get across on a static webpage.

Make sure to ask them good questions as well as give them reassuring answers to theirs. I often like to ask them about any likes and dislikes their pets may have as well as any possible treats or toys I can bring to help them with any possible separation anxiety. Even without reviews, if they get along with you then you may well win the housesit!

I still make sure to organise video chats because they can help you to decide whether or not you want to go through with a sit. Ultimately, go with your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, turn it down!

How to become a housesitter image of Holly the cat — *Make sure to take plenty of photos to send to the homeowners and to add to your profile!*

5. I attended housesits (& aced them!)

Probably the most obvious step of them all, once I had landed a housesit I attended it. And I made sure to be the best housesitter possible! I learnt a lot during the first housesit and found a routine that suited both myself and the homeowner. For example, I would keep them updated every day with a single photo or video alongside a quick message. For longer housesits, of 2+ weeks, I may do this every other day.

I always make sure to clean up after myself. This includes washing my towels and bedding and putting fresh sheets on the bed. I will ask them if they want any of my leftover food and if not, I will try to give it away (check out Olio).

It goes without saying, make sure to follow all of the responsibilities given to you when agreeing to the sit. This may include walking the animals, feeding them at certain times, and occasionally giving them medicine.

You will also want to take plenty of photos for your profile and even write down any fun stories which you can use in your bio.

A screenshot of my first review on the Trustedhousesitters platform, which is how I became a housesitter — *My first review on TrustedHousesitters which helped me land future housesits*

6. I built up reviews

The first few housesits that you get are really important as they will provide you with your first reviews, on which future homeowners will base their decisions. What they write is out of your control, but the more genuine and helpful reviews you get on your profile the better. For me, my first review was enough to help me win plenty of new housesits.

I kept on applying for new housesits so I could build up my profile and I now have loads of great reviews, including a few from repeat housesits. Getting repeat housesits on your platform helps to prove your trustworthiness and competency! Overall, the more positive reviews you get, the easier it will be to win housesitting gigs.

7. I began applying for desirable sits

The more reviews I had, the easier it was to get accepted onto more desirable sits in popular locations. I have been able to win housesitting opportunities in beautiful central London spots, Berlin, and in an incredible house in Mexico, off the back of my great profile and genuine reviews.

These sorts of housesits will be a lot more popular so you will be competing alongside sitters who may have more reviews than you. Therefore, the better your profile and reviews, the more you will stand out! Although sometimes it will be something simple, like a photograph of you and your dog, that may sway someone’s decision.

The biggest benefit to this is that I was now able to properly travel as a housesitter, knowing that I could get approved for a larger variety of housesits. However, it pays to be quick – so being active on the platform and applying for new sitting opportunities will benefit you greatly!

8. And, repeat!

Now that I am established on TrustedHousesitters, with plenty of great reviews and an informative profile, I use the platform regularly to get myself housesits all around the world. I always make sure to follow all of my aforementioned tips on every sit I attend, because even when you are well established you should still be treating other people’s homes and animals with care and respect.

Casper and Toto on their shared lead in Mexico from one of my housesitting opportunities

Optional extras

All of the steps mentioned above are the ones I took myself to become a well-established house and pet sitter, but I am aware there are other ways of getting yourself known by homeowners. Here is something else you may want to consider.

Advertise yourself

Something I’ve seen a few people do quite successfully is build up social media profiles or websites to advertise their housesitting services. If you are a pro at digital marketing and you are keen to take this that step further, then doing this may springboard your services pretty quickly. You can still link to a housesitting profile to ensure everything you do is safe and secure, but the extra advertising spaces will ensure you get found elsewhere.

For example, if you are nifty with SEO and build a housesitting website you may well get found for people searching for housesitters on Google.

I have been approached via LinkedIn a few times after homeowners read my Trustedhousesitters review and wanted me to sit for them. So, if you blog you may want to consider writing about your housesitting experiences. This may lead people your way too!