A little while ago, Kristin from The Wayward Home (Home is where you sail it, park it, or build it. I love that tagline!) sent me an email. She was curious about how long-term house sitting worked, and asked whether I’d be interested in answering a few questions about the topic. I replied “Yes!” This past weekend, she posted the complete interview on her popular website. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for the opportunity of sharing our lifestyle with the world, Kristin!
Why did you and Mark decide to start house sitting full-time?
When Mark and I decided to abandon our previous lifestyle – which involved eight years of sailing, working and traveling on our 35ft catamaran Irie in the Caribbean and the South Pacific – we knew we didn’t want to settle. After selling our boat in Tahiti, we took a little break visiting with family and friends in the U.S. and Belgium, before creating a new plan.
A sailing friend had told us about house sitting jobs when we visited him in New Zealand a few years ago. We never followed through with it over there, but we became familiar with the concept, and a seed was planted.
Why not live in different places, taking care of beloved animals?
Since Mark is an American citizen, our business is US-run, and I was happy to apply for a greencard (again, but that’s another story), we “semi-settled” in the United States in October 2015 to house and pet sit indefinitely.
Mark, Liesbet and Lola in Yosemite NP, CA
What does long-term house sitting look like?
House sitting is more popular than the general public realizes. Especially the last couple of years, the competition is fierce. The concept has been around forever, as in having family or friends watch your home, pets and plants while you are away on vacation, but, because of the many websites catering to this exchange in a more formal way, the appeal has spread.
House sitters come in all “shapes and sizes”. Some people, usually the ones who have their own home and do it locally, charge for their services. Others see “living like a local” in someone else’s house as the perfect way of exploring a new area. Some prefer to house sit for a few days at a time, others enjoy longer immersions. Certain sitters are allergic to cats, others desire a taste of farm life.
Schedules and responsibilities depend on the assignment and are always different. I’d say on average Mark and I spend one to two hours a day taking care of dogs (walking, brushing, feeding, bathing) and an hour a week on plant and yard work.
Spending time and cuddling with canines feels natural to us, so we don’t see this as work. In general, homeowners want you to be comfortable and treat their home, belongings and pets as if they were yours. This means leaving the house in the same condition and cleanliness (or better) as you found it. Successful house sitters need to be responsible, polite, communicative, respectful, and caring. And, a tad flexible…
Continue reading the article here.
WARNING: This website is advertisement-heavy.
If you have any questions for us, I’m happy to answer them here, or on The Wayward Home.
April 16, 2018 at 08:49
I enjoyed reading your interview, Liesbet! Your camper van sounds amazing. Your advice about the non-conventional lifestyle choices are spot on. Thanks for sharing.
April 16, 2018 at 09:38
I really enjoyed reading the interview, Liesbet. It’s always nice to learn more about your adventures. You weren’t kidding about the advertisements…wow.
April 16, 2018 at 11:23
Thanks for reading, Jill. You probably had the same reaction than me, when I first saw the interview posted…
April 16, 2018 at 11:52
Yes, I like your site much better…it’s less distracting.
April 16, 2018 at 09:40
Good post Liesbet! Nice to learn more things about your lifestyle. ~kathy
April 16, 2018 at 11:24
Thanks, Kathy! And, I’m always happy to read your comments!!
April 16, 2018 at 12:19
I like Kristin’s reference to you and Mark “house sitting the US.” There are times when I’m reading about another house sit that I actually imagine you working your way across the country, house by house. Does it ever get old? (You may have answered this question on Kristin’s site, but I am so opposed to advertisement heavy sites that I admit I didn’t go there to look.)
April 18, 2018 at 08:05
In an ideal world, we would be able to travel from one amazing house in one intriguing part of the country/world to the next one in another part. Now, that would be incredible, Karen. Right now, I check what’s available where and when and I apply to the listings that suit us destination and length-wise. That being said, we have been quite disappointed with the weather or the noise for the last six months. Nothing is perfect. 🙂
I can’t say it ever gets old, since I enjoy being in new homes and new places, with new pets. And, house sitting is very comfortable and convenient when one has to work. On the other hand, we don’t have the freedom we have when we travel (by boat or camper), and Mark and I are getting itchy feet. So much to see in the world and so little time.
I was quite shocked with the ads after seeing my interview posted as well.
April 16, 2018 at 13:21
Nice interview!
April 18, 2018 at 08:06
Thanks, Anabel!
April 16, 2018 at 14:33
Someone has to be very trusting and comfortable with the people coming into their home.
You’re right – the pet-sitting would be a bonus. Play with the dog? Not work at all!
April 18, 2018 at 08:26
Right!? You either love dogs or you don’t. 🙂 The relationship between house sitters and home owners is certainly one of trust. That’s why we always make a point of having a few communications back and forth, and a video call to get to know each other. We also encourage home owners to check out our blog, profile and reviews, and offer references they can call or email.
April 16, 2018 at 23:31
One of the very first bloggers I ‘met’, Marianne in East of Malaga, made a habit of housesitting in Australia for their main holiday each year. Her Mum fell ill and I’m not sure if she still does it but I remember thinking what a cool concept 🙂 :). I never could persuade Mick to something like that. 🙁
April 18, 2018 at 08:29
Do you mean having Mick and you decide to have house sitters? Or, Mick and you becoming house sitters to travel the country and the world? It does take a certain kind of people to trust “strangers” in their homes. I do get that, which is why I’m extremely transparent and honest about everything. And, communicative once the owners have left. It’s a big “risk” to leave your home and pets, and a big responsibility to make sure everything is going well and everyone is happy during our stay. 🙂
April 18, 2018 at 10:09
I meant being house sitters. I like the idea of the mobility but I’m not particularly a pets person and that’s the main demand, so it probably wouldn’t work well anyway. 🙂 🙂
April 18, 2018 at 10:48
I see! There are plenty of house sits without pets as well, usually with a nice garden and/or indoor plants to be watered. The house sit we’re on right now, for two months, does not have any animals. Easy, for sure. 🙂
April 17, 2018 at 02:29
Fantastic article Liesbet. Nice to see your lifestyle getting the attention it deserves. So many people out there are looking to ‘change it up’ and your approach to life give them many ideas to reinvent themselves. Ahoy from The Maldives.
April 18, 2018 at 08:33
I’m glad you made it safe and well to the Maldives, Lisa. Mark and I have been thinking about you both (and crew) and the good ship Amandla. I hope you’ll be able to rest up and enjoy the islands. I’m only slightly jealous this time. 🙂
This lifestyle is getting very popular. But, I’m glad we have all this experience now and five star reviews to show it. I just read an account about a home owner having millennials in their house, and they did not have a good experience. So, I hope home owners do their due diligence before committing to their sitters. The internet provides enough information these days to find out more about your potential sitters. It’s important to understand why house sitters want to be in your home as well, I think. As in not just to “freeload” and have a free vacation…
April 17, 2018 at 04:58
Well written regarding the housesitting, 5 stars for you 🙂 🙂
April 18, 2018 at 08:33
Haha, Suz. Thank you! Being asked the right questions helped. 🙂
April 18, 2018 at 10:54
You and Mark live a wonderful alternative life-style that intrigues me more and more! Very informative. Liesbet!
April 20, 2018 at 11:23
Thanks, Terri. Do you see yourself and Hans house sit in the future? Maybe when you’re both retired?
April 20, 2018 at 12:58
Maybe, but I think we’ll more likely need house sitters at our place. The house swap plan might work too!
April 20, 2018 at 13:19
If I would have a house, I’d certainly look into house swapping. Not sure how that works with pets, though…
April 18, 2018 at 11:30
I’ll admit it sounds like fun, but I doubt I’d enjoy it for more than a few months. I’m so set in my ways. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
April 20, 2018 at 11:27
It certainly isn’t for everyone. Being set in your ways, location or routines might be a problem to travel the world seas and roads. 🙂
April 24, 2018 at 17:37
LIesbet, fabulous interview. Thanks for taking us right into your world of travel and what’s involved. I truly envy you guys. I know I couldn’t do it. And wow, you weren’t kidding , , , that site had the most ads I’ve ever seen in one place. almost difficult to follow the post. 🙂
April 25, 2018 at 08:24
Not sure whether you would/should envy us right now (or the previous years), Debby. There’s a lot going on under the surface that makes our lives extremely stressful (and quite miserable), and not in the least because of the combination of our lifestyle and our work situation. 🙂 I’m sure not a lot of people could do it, unless they make money a different way. Or better, unless they don’t need to make money…
Thanks for sharing the interview on Facebook. Yeah… the ads are crazy. When I first saw the page, I was shocked, but I can’t do anything about it; not my site.
April 25, 2018 at 13:37
Maybe I should rephrase: it does seem like a fun lifestyle, providing everything else is in order. 🙂 And it was lovely for your to be featured despite the ads. 🙂
April 29, 2018 at 08:55
House and pet sitting is a very enjoyable lifestyle, without the hassles of work, etc. I know a few retired and non-working couples who do it internationally, and it sounds awesome. That being said, for us, if there were no work restrictions, we would live a bit more adventurous, meaning, not in a house. 🙂
April 25, 2018 at 23:56
Great interview, Liesbet. Although I enjoy the adventures and novelty of travelling, I also enjoy coming home at the end of the trip. Because of that, I don’t think I would be a good candidate for your kind of lifestyle. But I like to experience it vicariously by reading about your experiences!
I hope the troubles that are making you stressed are resolved soon.
Jude
April 29, 2018 at 09:36
There is no feeling like the feeling of coming home, right? While we don’t necessarily have a place like that, we get small taste# of the home coming feeling when we do a return house sit, come back after a weekend away (like today) or spend time at Mark’s or my parents’ place. It sure is a nice and familiar feeling, where you can just look forward to things you might like to do, and do them! 🙂
Thanks for having good thoughts for us, Jude. I appreciate it. We won’t feel better until sometime in summer, but the end of our troubles is hopefully in sight.
May 2, 2018 at 01:30
Loved the interview. I’ve always been fascinated by your lifestyle and how brave you are. It’s such an interesting way to make a living, and great to learn more about it.
May 2, 2018 at 06:25
Never a dull moment,that’s for sure. As of now, we aren’t making a living with house sitting, though. It’s a totally free exchange, where we happily offer our services, love, and care, in return for free rent. 🙂 We don’t want an extra “job” when we house sit, as we are busy enough with our business, camper projects, and my writing and translation projects.