What Do Home Owners Look For in a House Sitter?
Advice for Housesitting Applicants Who Want to Impress Homeowners
Feb 24, 2009
Would-be housesitters who want to beat the opposition to the best house sits in great locations need to think like a home owner and show in their responses to house sitter ads that they have the qualities that count.
What Do Home Owners Look For in a House Sitter?
Home owners do not put ads on the net simply because they are keen to help out the budget-minded tourist. They have specific needs they seek to meet by offering free accommodation – specifically home security, loving pet care and garden maintenance. Along with those needs go many fears and concerns. The smart housesitting applicant will show that he or she meets those needs better than anyone else and addresses the owner’s likely anxieties.
Reliability in House Sitters
The owner who is taking a six month sabbatical in Europe needs to know that the person they choose to house sit isn’t going to get bored in 2 months and leave. They need to know that the person will turn up several days before their departure for a run-down on requirements and to be comfortable with the pets and their routines.
House sitting websites frequently have ads from owners that commence: “Urgent! Our pet minders let us down and we need someone this week.” Imagine the panic and the anger of that home owner who went through a lengthy selection process and handed this plum job to someone who decided they couldn’t do it after all.
Honesty in House Sitters
There are two ways in which the sitter needs to be honest – overall trustworthiness and frankness about their abilities and weaknesses.
When homes and possessions worth millions are being placed in the hands of a stranger for long periods, the owner needs to feel sure that the sitter isn’t a conman who will sell off the antique furniture or bring in a furniture van and take the lot. They need assurance that the sitter will meet utility bills, if that has been the arrangement.
Owners do not want sitters snooping through their personal effects. There is a classic story of an owner who forgot her passport and returned to the house within 20 minutes of leaving. She found the sitter (male) in her bedroom dressed in her undies.
The sitter needs to be scrupulously honest (possibly even with themselves) about their abilities and experience of house minding. If the sitter has never before maintained a swimming pool or dealt with frozen pipes in a Canadian winter, there’s no point saying: “Sure. No problem.”
If the owner specifically mentions horse care, mobility and strength to deal with huge dogs, or the necessity of a vehicle because of the remoteness of the location, the applicant must not waste the owner’s time if they do not truly have those capabilities.
House Minding Common Sense and Practicality
Owners want someone in place who can handle minor problems that might emerge – a variety of practical skills are useful but a cool head and common sense are the chief requirements. This is particularly true when family pets are involved. There’s no telling what weird thing a dog might eat. The sitter might need to decide that the cat isn’t just fretting but is actually sick and needs to be taken to the vet. Most home owners will organise contingency plans and have a list of relevant phone numbers and support people ready.
Previous House Minding Experience and References
This is a difficult and sometimes frustrating one for novices, but obviously home owners prefer someone with a proven track record, some who can show references for housesitting at a number of venues. Satisfied clients are the best guarantee of future house sits.
The beginner can only rely on personal references from family and friends, preferably detailing even small tasks they have completed well – such as mowing lawns, minding the cat for the weekend, even being a neat and tidy house guest.
The potential housesitter must find anyone who is prepared to vouch for their reliability, honesty and practical skills. Once the first house sit is “won”, the sitter needs to beg for a reference. On the assumption that they have done a good job, this shouldn’t be too hard to obtain.
Success breeds success. Travellers who want to see the world (or their own country) with no accommodation costs will find house sitting a great way to operate. Being good at the job and giving home owners what they want is essential for success, but being able to make a good first impression in the response to the owner’s ad is also crucial. For more on writing effective house sitting applications, see this Suite101 article.
