Why Travelers Should Consider House Sitting

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House sitting seems to have a bit of a perception problem. The people I talk to seem to dismiss it as a travel option without really knowing what it involves. Simply, it is looking after someone's property and/or pets while they are on vacation in return for free accommodation. A house sitting gig can last from a few nights to months, in some cases as long as a year or two.

The most common objections to this attractive win-win transaction come in two forms. First, that it seems a bit like freeloading. Second, that rather than being footloose and fancy free you are tied to the responsibilities of someone else's life, feeding their pets and weeding their garden. The second objection does counter the first in my mind, although I will be the first to admit that house sitting is definitely not an option for everyone. Slobs and the commitment phobic need not apply. You need to be a grown up with the ability to follow through on a deal.

In my peripatetic “career” as a house sitter I have found that the pros definitely outweigh the cons. The biggest joy for me about house sitting is the time it gives me and as we all know time is money. The financial pressure of accommodation costs and that annoying check in/out time hanging over your head means that travel can often be a superficial experience; a quick glimpse then you pack up and moved on.

With house sitting you can spend time getting to know a neighborhood, the local people and the way of life. You can relax and dig deeper into a culture, and the rewards are so much greater. With house sits, I have made ongoing friendships, practiced language skills, found out all those nuggets of information that locals have about the best places off the tourist trail.

For those of you who enjoy a homey environment, are not adverse to housework and love animals then house sitting is a pleasurable option. I have used paid house sitting online sites such as mindmyhouse.com and trustedhousesitter.com to find sits, but alternatively you can build a profile on Facebook or set up your own website to market your services.

Remember that it pays to be as honest as possible about what you have to offer and to put some work into gathering genuine references. Being a house sitter does put you in a position of trust so it should go without saying that trustworthiness is essential.

If you do find a house sit that matches your plans, then I suggest you talk fully with the homeowners before accepting to get a full picture of what the sit involves. I find that a conversation will give you an indication of whether the house and its owners are a good fit for you. The house might be is some idyllic location, exactly where you want to be, but don't let this blind you to any warning signs of potential difficulty. These can include such things as ultra fussy and demanding homeowners, behaviorally challenged pets or tasks outside your comfort zone or skill set.

If the house sit is longer term and at the care-taking end of the spectrum with ongoing maintenance tasks, then get a written description of what is required which you can sign off on. In some cases, homeowners may be prepared to pay you for some of the work done. Be aware that every house sit is different, some may include the cost of Internet, power, etc. while other will expect you to pay while you are using these services.

So to the housetrained among you who love to explore and engage in a culture at your leisure then house sitting is definitely a travel option worth checking out.