Is it customary to have the owners there on occasion?
Is it customary to have them give you daily duties... when they are their or not?
Is it customary for them to expect to meet you first from a long distance?

I just joined and am looking at this as an awesome opportunity to complete some education online, visit new places and meet new people. I posted my ad, e-mailed several I would be interested in hearing more, addressing their concerns in their ad. A couple of the replies seemed like they're actually looking for a live in house keeper / cook / animal caregiver - while they are at the home or in and out on various days. And a couple have stated the desire of meeting me before hand? - No - , I wont be traveling hundreds or thousands of miles for an interview.

Please don't misunderstand, I would consider these options at a weekly small pay and dependent on time constraints. As I had my own agenda for wanting to change my life also. I thought the house sitting idea was slightly different.

If someone with some experience could offer some help to a newbie with a few of these questions before I get myself into a situation.. that would be great. Thank you

Michelle,

In our 4 years as housesitters, we have found that there is little that is customary when it comes to housesitting. Each housesit is unique, in that each sitter and owner have their own requirements, expectaions, and personal situations. Each sit is a blend of these factors.

We had a sit where the owner came back for 2 weeks every 3 months, during which time we would take advantage of that time to travel and or visit family. Until recently we didn't have a home base.The owner did pay some towards our lodging during that time.

We have never traveled more than 3 hours by car for an interview. If it was further than that, we had to be comfortable with phone interviews, references and pictures. Our 2 longest sits were secured without personal interviews and worked out fine. But we realize that may not always be the case.

We have recently established a home base, so we are only doing sits of a month or less. We have gotten several repeat sits in the area. We will consider short sits further away if it is a part of the country we would like to see.

I hope this helps you understand the housesitting business better. We wish you well as you strike out out your new adventure. We have had a wonderful time being housesitters.

Kathy and Leo

-------------------------
Kathy and Leo, Housesitters will travel.