Choosing a Housesit - My 5 Step Process

From time to time we ask our regular housesitters to share some of their best practices. In this blog on ‘Choosing a Housesit’ Debbie Sakal one of our UK housesitters has described her 5 step process to ensure she selects the best housesit for her and her cat!

My 5-Step Process for Choosing A HouseSit

choose a petsitter for an emotional support animal with care — Choosing a housesit that suits your skills and requirements depends on a few factors

My name is Debbie and I travel with my cat Molly, mostly in the UK these days. If you want to find out more about me, check out my blog posts on:

Housesitting with my cat

Why I like to Housesit

I’ve been house sitting for a while now, and whilst I now have a well-established process for choosing each booking, it’s evolved over time, and I’m now far more discerning about taking on new bookings, which are right for me.

We are all different and there are so many different types of house sits and homeowners, so how do I choose what suits me and my next homeowner? Read on to find out more about my own 5-step process for choosing a house sit.

Review My 5-Step Process for Choosing a HouseSit

1. Research potential and available house sits

The first step in my process is researching any potential and available house sits. Choosing a housesit and getting it right means assessing the available list of options and your suitability.
I do this by going to the various specialist house sit websites, my favourite one being HouseSit Match of course!

So what am I looking for when choosing my next potential house sit?

First is the right location for me. Mostly I’m looking for house sits in my local area, within a 60 mile radius of that location. This isn’t an exact science however, and if a particular sit seems perfect or long-term, I will travel further afield.

What about pets and their care

Secondly I look at what pets are to be cared for. For example, I only sit for cats and dogs. I then look at the photographs of the pets and the homeowner’s description of their pets’ specific requirements and routines. Choosing a housesit and getting the choice right will depend on you doing some preparation.

For example, is there medication to be administered? Maybe the pet is elderly and requires extra care, or perhaps it’s a kitten or puppy and needs training, and so on. If you are squeamish about giving pets their medication then think carefully before committing to a sit where it is part of the a daily routine.

I have cared for pets of all ages and conditions.

Thirdly I look at the general description of the sit. What type of home is it: house, flat, cabin and so on. How many bedrooms, does it have a garden. What kind of location it is, urban or rural, is it in a safe neighbourhood? Are there specific tasks that need to be carried out.

search for a housesit — Search online for a housesit to find a suitable assignment – Choice helps when choosing a housesit

Researching Potential House Sits – Photo courtesy of Deb Sakal

Once I’ve decided I would like to do a particular house sit, I move onto to the next step in my process.

2. Apply for the House Sit

When I’m happy with a potential house sit, I apply for the sit. This usually requires an initial message to the homeowner, providing information about how I travel with my cat and all relevant experience specific to their pets and requirements.

I also provide links to my blog posts, so they can understand more about me, should the homeowner be interested in my application.

an application for a housesit — When applying for a housesit offer the owners more information

Apply for a House Sit – Photo courtesy of Deb Sakal

Then it’s a waiting game to see if the homeowner responds or not, whether they have any further questions or whether they want to meet up or have a Zoom call.

3. Arrange to meet or have a call

The third step in my 5-step process for choosing a house sit is the first initial meeting or call.

If the house sit is local, then my preference is to always try and arrange a face-to-face meeting. That way, the homeowner can see me, and I can meet the pet(s) and see the house and it’s location.

At this stage, I always know if it’s the right house sit for me, and hopefully the homeowner does too. If it’s a yes straightaway, happy days!

Photo courtesy of Deb Sakal

Homesit visit before choosing a housesit

Sometimes though, if I feel that the house sit just isn’t right for me – and this is no reflection on the homeowner themselves, their pets or their home, it’s just not right for me and what I need – I will respectfully ask the homeowner if they would mind waiting until the next day for my decision. This way no one is offended in any way and all is well.

If the house sit is a go, then it’s time for step 4.

4. Commit to the HouseSit

This usually entails both the homeowner and myself accepting/confirming the house sit on the house sitting website, so that the booking is locked in.

I then start a WhatsApp conversation with the homeowner, which is usually a faster and easier way to communicate moving forward.

5. Handover Visit

This the last step in my process. A few days before the house sit begins, I arrange a visit with the homeowner. Because I tend to housesit within my local region this is very doable and helps me in choosing a housesit that is right for me and where I am a suitable choice for the pets.

This is the perfect opportunity for a refresh on what the homeowner wants, to meet the pets again and finalise all the details, including coordinating when the homeowner is leaving and what time I will be moving in and so on.

At this visit, I will collect all the keys required, and test the door to ensure I can open it. Also, if there is an alarm, I learn how to successfully operate it, so there are no nasty surprises on move-in day!

petsitter with her charges — When you meet the pets it makes all the different to choosing a housesit and getting it right

Photo courtesy of Deb Sakal

In addition, at this meeting, it’s also good to confirm what time the homeowners will be returning home, that way we can coordinate what the best time is for me to move out, with any last dog walks, feeds, and so on.

Choosing a housesit gets easier with each housesit experience

As I’ve become more experienced, I don’t leave anything to chance when it comes to coordinating with homeowners. This way, all expectations are met and hopefully exceeded. Indeed, I’ve found that this “before-sit” visit is essential, as it ensures that both myself and the homeowner are put at ease and are relaxed about things.

Lastly, during the house sit itself, I communicate over WhatsApp daily, sending photos and updates. It is a free app that enables totally free communications in your own country and when you need to communicate with the owners when they are abroad on holiday. This way, homeowners can enjoy their time away, without worrying about their pets or homes.

After all that’s the job of a house sitter, as I see it anyway. It’s a privilege to live in someone’s home and care for their much-loved pets. It really is a win-win situation. Yet it all depends on choosing the housesit with care with a mind to your suitability.

Debbie Sakal

I’m Deb Sakal, a writer, artist, business mentor, consultant and marketing expert. When I’m not working with my clients, I love spending time with my cat Molly, travelling, writing and painting.

JOIN HOUSESIT MATCH

Join Housesit Match a professional service that offers access to help you find free checked live in pet sitters and housesitters, for a moderate annual fee. These pet sitters will help you keep pets at home safely and happy in their daily routine.