If it’s your dream to retire and travel, then read further to help make it a reality.
House sitters are in demand all over the world!
So what better way to keep those travel expenses low than keeping beautiful homes!
It can be a bit tricky getting started so we have an easy step-by-step process below.
Table of Contents
What Is House Sitting?
House sitting is the perfect way to live rent free! Meaning you can spend your hard-earned dollars how you like!
Thousands of homeowners are away from home for work or traveling themselves.
These homeowners want respectful people to take care of their property and/or pet care while they are away.
A quick breakdown of the guidelines behind retiree house sitters are:
- Living in the house like you would your own
- List of expected everyday tasks to be completed and other agreed rules
- Reporting and communication with the owners
- Taking care of animals if they are pet owners
- Respectful and appropriate behavior conduct
So now we understand the gist of house sitting, let’s get into why you can benefit and even secure a professional house sitters job!
Why Are House Sitters Great For Retirees?
Below I have compiled the top reasons why retirees who still want to travel will benefit from being housesitters.
From cheap accommodation to making lifelong friends, I hope that at least one benefit of house sitting jumps out at you!
Imagine, you want to retire in Mexico but you don’t want to sell your house and rent down there. You can just house sit! No need to furnish a whole house or deal with bills!
Travel Experiences
You don’t want to have travel regrets as retiring is meant to be where the fun begins!
Fantasize right now about the places you’d dreamed to travel but didn’t have the time.
Was it beautiful Italy? Or back to San Francisco because you can’t remember the time you spend there in the 1960s!
The awaiting experiences are endless and are just starting for you!
Affordability Of Travel Costs
Retiring is a stressful process with lots of financial planning or even budgeting.
There is always the question in the back of the mind asking “did I put enough away?’ Or “how can I further help my children?
Accommodation costs are the largest chuck on the budget and thousands of dollars can go into these costs, especially if you are visiting more than one place in a trip.
House sitters to homeowners live rent-free so the cost of accommodation is null. You won’t have to worry and can spend your precious money on other things you love.
You can also make money by house sitting! So how much to charge for house and pet sitting and you’ll have some pocket money to explore these incredible new locations!
Security & Peace Of Mind
The world can be loud and faster than it was and you don’t want to feel stressed or even afraid in a new place.
Retiree house carers have the luxury to take it at the pace they want in the quietness of solitude if that’s what is desirable.
Any unfortunate health problems can also be managed as you would in your own private space.
But hey, I don’t want to judge!
Maybe you want to get on your dancing shoes and salsa in South America!
Pet Loving Globe Trotters
Did you live your life with a furry companion but they are now at rest and it was too much work committing again?
Pet sitters go hand in hand with house sitting without the full responsibility of owning another animal.
Having a companion on your travels makes life so much sweeter and just imagine, intermittent dog care in the form of walking around a new city.
Relationship Building
Our last point is forming new friendships.
Sometimes we can forget that relationships develop positive reinforcement within ourselves. It’s nice knowing you are helping someone and in turn, are also helped when you need it.
Who knows, you might even find a house-sitting opportunity where you can swap with your own home.
It’s never too late to get to know a new culture.
What Is The Average Time For A House Sitting Arrangement?
So you might be asking how long I have to stay?
It’s completely up to you and the agreement with the homeowners.
Don’t worry about having to stay for a longer period if you have other things to do!
There is always a variety of long-term and short-term house sitting opportunities.
How To Become Retiree House Sitters
Right, are you now wondering the best way to get into house sitting?
Don’t worry, below I have compiled some steps to get you on the right track.
Try It & Get Some Experience
I am sure throughout your life you have babysat the grandkids or housesat for some friends.
The first step is to go out there and try it again. Is it comfortable for you and can you easily manage the responsibility of being away from home?
Ask your children, friends, social club, or even your church if anyone needs a house sitter.
Join A Community Or Organisation
The second stage is building relationships with an official house-sitting platform.
This is usually done in the form of online resources through your email address on the internet on a website.
Don’t be dismayed if you arent too familiar with using the internet, I promise you it’s easier than you think and I’m sure you have plenty of people to help you understand.
Plus you have a lot of time to learn a new skill!
Read on until the end for direct links to these organizations.
Profile Marketing
When you have made an account with a house-sitting organization or some house-sitting websites, you will need to create a profile.
This is very similar to Facebook where an online identity is generated and you get the chance to advertise yourself.
If it sounds complicated then I ensure you it’s not, just be honest with what you want, availability, throw in a few pictures with your experience and you are away!
Most of these websites will help you create the profile so it is just typing information into the right boxes.
Don’t Limit Yourselves
I understand if there are specific health complications or factors that may inhibit your availability but make sure you don’t put unnecessary limitations.
These limitations could be things like travel distance or even the size of the house.
Have an open mind and if you don’t try then you won’t achieve!
You can also use the provided resources as education that will help you further understand the whole process.
This will enable you to gather more perspective and thus comfortability.
Unreal Expectations
I will lastly note that high or unrealistic expectations at the beginning tend to be disheartening.
Don’t expect to be whizzing around Paris in the first few months.
These types of things rely on a bit of work and relationship management.
Don’t worry, you’ll get there!
Success Stories Of Retiree House Sitters
It’s always great to get some subjective feedback so below is a link to a success story from Jim and Thelma. retiree house sitters from New Zealand.
https://www.housecarers.com/retirees_travelling.cfm
The Best Resources For Interested Retiree House Sitters
So there we have it!
I have personally had experience with Trusted House Sitters, House cares, Aussie House Sitters, Mindahome, Normado, and Kiwi House Sitters.
but my favorite is Trusted House Sitters. They have the most sits worldwide and cover you for insurance.
I hope this article has been informative on house sitting and how you, as a new or existing retiree can benefit.
Author: Britt
I am Britt I have been house sitting and pet sitting for the past 7 years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats 1 turtle, and 1 rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.
The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Through house sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters, and Trusted House Sitters, I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters. This unique way of living has not only allowed me to save money on accommodation but also offered a plethora of cultural exchange opportunities.
Being a member of these platforms has not only broadened my horizons but also opened doors to short and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well maintained.
I get many questions about how to get start as a house sitters, so if you have any questions please reach out! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!
You can read more about about Jay and me here!
Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house sitting community on Facebook
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