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Why Housesit? How Will I Benefit?
Whatever your reason for asking the question ‘Why housesit’ and even approaching the idea of housesitting read this article. In this piece we offer a large variety of great reasons that our housesitters have given us over the years about why they choose to housesit again and again.
Why housesit? What are the advantages for me as a housesitter?
Photo by Lamia Walker
What are the reasons why people love to housesit?
There is a wide variety of reasons why people choose to housesit. Some people love to travel and others travel while they work – housesitting can make both possible and affordable.
Some people need to discover a new location and don’t want to break the bank while they explore. Others find the company of pets a great comfort, most housesits require pet care.
Read on to consider which of these reasons most calls to you, and helps you answer the question ‘Why Housesit’.
Affordable travel
Photo by Vladimir and Suzanne
By housesitting you find that you can stay in a new location on a much lower budget than if you were paying for your accommodation. This saving allows you to spend more money on visiting specific local points of interest that appeal to you once your duties as a housesitter are finished.
Many housesitters find they are able to enjoy longer breaks and explorations than if they were paying for the full price trip. They can spend some of the money saved on a longer trip, specific tours and excursions.
Homeowners expert guidance to their location
Another real advantage to housesitting is that the homeowner will likely know their area better than any guidebook. They could be your inside track to learning about your destination and hyper local area.
Photo by Housesitter Karen
Many of us as housesitters visit new towns that are slightly off the beaten track. Don’t worry about that. Your destination can be the most wonderful experience as guided by your hosts the homeowners.
Photo by Steph
Cut accommodation costs
One of the most popular reasons people give for the question ‘Why Housesit’ is that it helps you cut accommodation costs. To be clear, with HouseSitMatch when you housesit you offer your time and services as a house and pet sitter who offer to care for pets and property, for free accommodation. It’s a great deal!
These significant savings liberate vital cash while you travel to enjoy special treats and local indulgences, and perhaps an even longer stay away from home.
Photo by Deborah
Photo by Giles
The company of pets
If you are still considering the question ‘Why housesit’ read this point. Those of us who love animals find the company of pets a joy. One of the most popular answers for the question ‘Why housesit’ is the main benefit of the company of pets while you stay.
Photo courtesy of Eric
The beauty of housesitting is you can choose the petsitting assignments you apply for. Which pets do you like? You give your time for free and enjoy the pets while you stay in the owner’s home. The petowner will leave you a detailed brief for how to care for their home and pets, and how they want you to stay connected while they are away.
Stay in a comfortable home
Another advantage of housesitting is the advantage of staying in a comfortable home in a neighbourhood, rather than an anonymous inner city hostel or hotel. it can be a joy to live in someone’s home and experience their footprint on your working housesitting holiday.
While you are staying in the owner’s comfortable home you are also responsible for that property and the resident pets. That’s the give and take and essence of ‘why housesit’. It’s an exchange of services.
Housesitting offers an active holiday
Many of our housesits at HouseSitMatch will involve care of pets and especially dogs. Dogs usually need walking, cat litter trays need changing and so on. Your holiday housesit will ensure you have an active holiday.
Photo by Jenny
Digital nomads travel as they work
There are some housesitters who fall in love with this lifestyle so much that their back to back housesits turn in to a way to travel while they work. They become digital nomads who housesit wherever they have access to good Wi-Fi strong enough to support their professional activities.
Photo by Jenny
Many digital nomads when asked ‘why housesit’? they answer that their change in surroundings is stimulating and enables travel while they are fit and able around the world, wherever they can get connected.
Gardening when you don’t have a garden at home
Some of our housesitters have told us that after downsizing as empty nesters, they missed their garden desperately. Housesitting can offer some wonderful opportunities to enjoy travel as a garden sitter, caring for mature gardens, burgeoning vegetable patches and Mediterranean clay pot gardens.
Photo by Lamia
People with active cultivated gardens often need a house sitter in peak growing season to look after their plants and crops. Also it is important that a garden looks like it is tended rather than neglected when the owners are away. And if you love gardening there is another reason to answer your question ‘Why housesit’.
Long term visit in a new location
Sometimes you are looking to move country or to a new location and the opportunity to experience the location with the reduced costs of a housesit allows you to get the feel for the place before making that commitment.
Photo by Lamia Walker
Spending time with my family, not at home
One of my personal reasons for housesitting is the opportunity to spend time with my my family in a place that is not our home. It is a working holiday, we’re housesitting and petsitting. But it is such fun, because we are away from home with all the usual chores, and we’re discovering a new location, new pets and new hosts who are friendly and want us to learn about their home and location.
It is incredible fun! Try it!
Photo by Lamia
A long term housesit allows you to really live like a local, to fully appreciate the benefits of a new location.
Why Housesit in Summary
If you have been toying with that question ‘Why housesit’ and you have read all the benefits of house sitting listed above, now stop thinking and just try it! Join a house and pet sitting platform like HouseSitMatch. Try a local housesit to get your sea legs, get the hang of the process and protocols.
Then try a little further afield, choose pets where you are comfortable caring for them and communicate well with your hosts. Housesitting has many benefits for all kind of sitters. It’s a real win win!
REGISTER ON HOUSESIT MATCH AS A HOUSE SITTER
Frequently Asked Questions About Housesitting
Discover everything you need to know about housesitting, pet sitting, and how HouseSitMatch connects responsible house sitters with homeowners worldwide.
Housesitting is an arrangement where you care for someone’s home and pets while they’re away, in exchange for free accommodation. You apply for housesits through platforms like HouseSitMatch, communicate with homeowners about their needs, and provide services including pet care, garden maintenance, and home security. It’s a mutually beneficial exchange—you get free lodging in great locations, and homeowners get peace of mind knowing their property and pets are cared for.
Housesitting offers numerous benefits including significantly reduced travel costs, the opportunity to stay in comfortable homes rather than hotels, the joy of spending time with pets, local insider knowledge from homeowners, and the chance to explore new locations on an extended basis. It’s particularly appealing for those seeking affordable travel, digital nomads who work remotely, pet lovers without their own animals, and retirees wanting to explore the world on a budget.
No, housesitting is typically an unpaid arrangement. The compensation is free accommodation in exchange for your time and services caring for the home and pets. This exchange allows you to save substantial money on lodging, which you can then spend on experiences, dining, and extending your travels. The value proposition is the cost savings rather than direct payment.
House sitters are responsible for caring for pets (feeding, walking, medication if needed), maintaining the home’s security, watering plants or tending gardens, collecting mail, and keeping the property clean and tidy. Homeowners provide detailed instructions about their specific requirements. The exact duties vary by assignment, so you can choose housesits that match your comfort level and experience.
Absolutely! Everyone starts somewhere. Many people begin with local housesits to build experience and confidence before traveling further afield. Start by creating a strong profile on HouseSitMatch, consider doing a few shorter assignments nearby, ask for references from people who can vouch for your responsibility, and communicate openly with homeowners about your experience level. Most homeowners appreciate enthusiasm and reliability over extensive experience.
The savings can be substantial. Accommodation costs often represent 30-50% of travel expenses, so eliminating this expense allows you to travel longer, upgrade experiences, or visit destinations that might otherwise be unaffordable. For example, a two-week housesit in a location where hotels cost £100-150 per night could save you £1,400-2,100. These savings accumulate quickly, especially for long-term housesitters or frequent house sitters.
Most housesits involve caring for dogs and cats, but you might also encounter rabbits, chickens, fish, birds, horses, or other animals. The beauty of housesitting is that you can choose which assignments to apply for based on your comfort level and experience with different pets. Each listing on HouseSitMatch clearly states what animals are involved, so you’re never surprised.
Yes! Housesitting is a global opportunity, and HouseSitMatch connects house sitters with homeowners around the world. International housesitting is particularly popular in the UK, Europe, Australia, North America, and New Zealand. You’ll need to consider visa requirements, travel insurance, and any pet care regulations specific to each country, but many housesitters use this as their primary way to experience extended international travel.
Definitely! Many homeowners specifically seek couples or families for housesitting assignments. Couples often appeal to homeowners because there are two people sharing responsibilities, and families can provide a lived-in atmosphere that deters burglars. Housesitting offers families a unique way to travel affordably and spend quality time together away from home routines, exploring new places while caring for pets.
The most effective way is to join a dedicated housesitting platform like HouseSitMatch. Create a detailed profile highlighting your experience, reliability, and love for pets. Include references and clear photos. Browse available housesits, apply to those that interest you, and communicate promptly and professionally with homeowners. Building a strong profile and securing positive reviews from your first few sits will help you access better opportunities.
Good preparation and communication prevent most issues. Homeowners typically leave emergency contact information, vet details, and instructions for various scenarios. Stay in regular contact with the homeowner as agreed, have appropriate insurance, and address any problems immediately rather than waiting. Most housesitting platforms, including HouseSitMatch, provide guidance on handling emergencies, and experienced housesitters develop good problem-solving protocols.
Yes! Housesitting is ideal for digital nomads and remote workers. Many housesits offer reliable Wi-Fi and quiet workspaces. You can coordinate your work schedule around pet care duties (like dog walking) and enjoy a comfortable home environment while working. This lifestyle allows you to change locations regularly, which many find stimulating for creativity and productivity, while maintaining stable accommodation and keeping costs low.
While formal qualifications aren’t required, having experience with pets, home maintenance, and responsibility helps. Valuable attributes include reliability, good communication skills, genuine love for animals, and respect for other people’s property. You can build your credentials through references from friends, past employers, or volunteering with animals. Starting with shorter, local housesits helps you gain housesitting-specific experience on HouseSitMatch.
Beyond the obvious cost savings, housesitting offers a more authentic local experience. You live in residential neighbourhoods rather than tourist areas, shop at local markets, receive insider tips from homeowners, and enjoy the comfort of a real home with a fully equipped kitchen and living spaces. You also gain the companionship of pets and the satisfaction of providing a valuable service, rather than being just another guest in a commercial property.
This varies considerably. Some homeowners plan months ahead for seasonal trips, while others need last-minute coverage for unexpected travel. For popular destinations during peak seasons, applying 2-3 months in advance is wise. However, opportunities arise constantly on HouseSitMatch, and flexible house sitters can often secure shorter-notice assignments. Building a strong profile means you’ll be ready whenever the right opportunity appears.
Ready to Start Your Housesitting Journey?
Join HouseSitMatch today and discover how housesitting can transform the way you travel, connect with pets, and experience new locations around the world.
Register on HouseSitMatchFurther reading for housesitters about housesitting, petsitting
At Housesit Match.com we always try to share useful and informative blogs like this one on ‘Why housesit’ is a good question to start with. Read these article to learn some advice about housesitting and petsitting.
Shedding pets – How to clean up after them at home
