Want to travel more?
Housesit your way around the world!
One of the ways I’m able to adventure around the world on two wheels is through housesitting. It’s absolutely hands-down my favorite way to travel. Instead of staying in boring (expensive) hotels, I can stay for 1-2-3+ weeks in a comfortable home for free.
What’s the catch? There isn’t one unless you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like pets (who are you?). I’ve done dozens of housesits with TrustedHousesitters and looked after cats, dogs, birds, horses, fish, you name it… all the while riding my bike in cool places.
If you like to travel, a TrustedHousesitters membership will be the best $$$ you spend all year.
Places I’ve housesat:
And counting!
Before you sign up…
Who makes a good housesitter?
Sure, a free place to stay in an amazing location sounds incredible, but before you sign up to be a TrustedHousesitter, read through these points to make sure it’s a good fit:
1. Create An Account
The first step to becoming a TrustedHousesitter is creating an account and filling in your profile. There are three tiers of membership. The Basic Sitter is $129/year and allows you to apply for any housesit you want. The Standard and Premium tiers give you additional perks like Accident & Third Party Insurance, Saved Search Alerts, and more. I think the Standard Sitter is worth the extra $40/year.
You’ll also need to fill out your profile. Think of this as your resume: be honest, detailed, and include as many references and photos as you can to help you land your first sits. Once you have a few (hopefully five-star) TrustedHousesitter reviews, landing awesome sits will get easier.
2. Browse Housesits
Now the fun part 🙂 There are literally thousands of housesits on TrustedHousesitters all over the world from quick overnights to 6+ month stays. Once you start browsing it’s hard to stop!
3. Apply
When you see a housesit you like and the dates work for you, it’s time to send the homeowners an application. It’s important to only apply for sits that you can actually commit to. Nobody wants their time wasted or to have to scramble to find a new housesitter if you bail.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t land the first few housesits you apply for. Keep applying and soon you’ll traveling the world as a housesitter!
A final note
I absolutely love housesitting, but really think about whether it’s a right fit for you
I can’t stress enough that housesitting is not just about scoring free places to stay. You MUST love animals and be prepared to treat them and the home like you’re own.
This may mean:
- Not spending full days out exploring the sights and sounds
- Taking dogs out for walks 2+ times a day
- Dealing with any issues that may arise like broken pipes or sick animals
- Doing a thorough clean before you leave (which you wouldn’t need to do for a hotel or Airbnb)
- Keeping your travel plans and dates flexible
Ready to start housesitting?
If housesitting sounds like it would be a good fit for you and you’re ready to travel the world in an ‘unconventional’ way, get started with the link below.
It has changed my life for the better and I think it will for you, too!