8 Tips for Getting Your First House Sit
Tip #1: Your Profile
Slip into the house owner’s shoes for a second! They leave their home and their beloved pets to a complete stranger. The least we can do as house sitters is giving them the best possible impression of us. So fill out your profile in detail and give them a good overview of who you are.
Tip #2: Your Photos
Use photos where your face is visible, where you’re smiling and looking nice. A bonus is if you add photos of you playing and cuddling with animals. Show the householders that you love pets.
Tip #3: Security Check
There are different security check levels you can go through that increase your trust base. The basic check includes a verification of your e-mail address, telephone number, and ID. In addition, you can have reviews written by acquaintances. These are of course not as important as „real“ reviews (made by people who use the platform), but for the beginning that’s better than nothing. The last stage is a criminal check. It’s 65 pounds extra, so I haven’t done it so far.
Tip #4: Your Own Page
It is best to create a very own site for you as a house sitter. Either you create a landing page, if you can, or simply an own Facebook page. This has several advantages:
- You can upload more photos, videos, and texts about you.
- You can collect reviews from different platforms and also from outside all platforms. So, for example, if someone privately asks you to take care of their animals, you normally have no way to get a review. With a page of its own, you do.
- Basically, if you have a site you can take the house owners with you during your house sit. Post Selfies of you with their pet or share other information that might be relevant. When you apply for a new house sit, the new house owners will see what you have done in the past to give the house owners and animals a good feeling.
Tip #5: Be Quick
Especially with house sits in „cool places“ it is important that you are among the first ones to apply. Because the number of applications can go up quickly. For Bali or islands in Thailand like Phuket, I have often seen that over 50 house sitters have applied. Being the first one can make the difference.
Tip #6: Skype-Call
It is best to offer a Skype call in the very beginning. Some will accept it, others will be able to see your photos. Everyone is different. But the fact that they have the opportunity to communicate with you more directly will show them that you are serious about it.
Tip #7: Names and Breeds
When applying for a house sit mention the name of the animal. If possible, you should also talk about the breed. This is how you show that you’ve read the listing and selected the sit because it suits you and not because of the place.
Tip #8: Quality
Be a good house sitter! Do as if this was your own home. Give the house owners an update every now and then, even if they do not ask for it. They will be happy to know that their best friend is doing well. If they are really happy with you, the review will be much better. And this has a positive effect on future applications.
I hope you will have a blast on your first house sit! I’m looking forward to reading your experiences with house sitting in the comments!
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