Best Tips on How to Become a Traveling House Sitter

In a podcast episode with Moira Mills, we talked about her travels with her nine-year-old son and her experience as a traveling house sitter. She shared how she and her son can explore and enjoy different areas of the country by house-sitting. Through this process, they discovered cities and states that they enjoyed, which helped them decide where they might lay roots for an extended period.

Being a traveling house sitter, near or abroad, can give you a place to stay while exploring new places. This post will give you the basics so you can see if it would fit into your travel plans and save you on accommodation costs.

How to Become a Traveling House Sitter

My experience as a traveler with dogs involves hiring someone to stay at my house and watch my dogs. I pay someone to do this. However, some people would rather earn a place to stay so they can travel instead of getting paid. I haven’t tried this, so I was interested when I interviewed Moira to hear more about how this worked for her.

So, if you’ve ever dreamed of traveling the world on a budget, or simply experiencing new places in a more relaxed, homey way, becoming a traveling house sitter is one of the most innovative ways to receive accommodation. You care for someone’s home (and often their pets), and in return, you get free accommodation and a chance to live like a local.

Housesitting tasks might include:

Watering plants
Feeding pets and walking dogs
Bringing in mail or packages
Keeping the home secure and tidy

It’s not a ‘vacation’, you’re providing a helpful service, but it comes with significant travel perks.

1. Join A Trusted House Sitting Platform

Start researching reputable websites like TrustedHousesitters to see which one would be a good fit for you. There are several of them; ensure they are reputable, professional, and well-researched.

Create a strong profile with a friendly photo, background about yourself, references (even character references at first), and any experience with pets, gardening, or caring for homes. Some platforms require an annual fee, but it may be worth the cost for the quality of listings and management of referrals you receive.

2. Build A Profile That Builds Trust

Homeowners are deciding whether to trust you with their beloved homes and pets, so your profile needs to reflect responsibility and warmth.

Every platform is different, but they may include:

A friendly photo
Short bio with travel and pet experience
Personal details so they feel they know you better. Why do you love animals? What excites you about house sitting?
References are valuable. Ask past clients if you can use them as references, or ask for a review to post. This can include previous pet owners, past housesitting clients, or even former landlords if you need your first referrals.
You can also begin with local or weekend sits to build your reviews and credibility.
You can offer to sit for friends or family and ask for a written testimonial.
Each completed sit makes your profile stronger and opens doors to many opportunities.

💡 Extra Tip: Record a short video intro to help homeowners connect with you.

3. Apply To Opportunities Strategically

Read each opportunity throughly so you understand what the home or pet owner is looking for. When connecting with them be personal so they know you have looked over the job description. Show that you pay attention to details, they are trusting you with valuable posessions.

Don’t copy/paste your applications; make them personal.
Mention why you’re excited about helping them. You can be specific to make it more personal. For example, “I love big dogs, have experience with gardens, or admire their location.”
Are you flexible with arrival/departure dates? That could be helpful too.
Apply to opportunities that match your comfort level. For example, a suburban home with one cat might be a better place to start than a rural farm with six animals.

📝 Message Example:

“Hi Claire, I’d love to care for your home and two dogs while you’re in Spain. I’ve had dogs most of my life and have house-sat for several pet families. Your garden looks beautiful, and I’m comfortable keeping it green! I’m happy to video chat soon!”

4. Practice Safety As A Solo Sitter

Like any trip when you travel solo, you need to be prepared and have a plan in place.

Research the neighborhood before accepting a sit.
Set up a video chat with homeowners beforehand to ensure a good fit.
Share your travel plans and house-sitting address with a trusted family member or friend.
Trust your gut. If something feels off about the situation, it’s okay to say no.

5. Pack Smart

Bring a small toolkit: a flashlight and essential first-aid items.
Travel light but include essentials for an extended stay, like comfortable clothes for pet walking or a laptop if you need to stay connected.
If international, check visa requirements — sometimes being a “volunteer” house sitter still requires the correct visa.
Other essentials include tech chargers, phone batteries, personal ID, travel insurance, comfortable clothes for caring for pets, and outdoor chores.
Check Wi-Fi, primarily if you work remotely. Do you need to have a hotspot or a special box?

6. Communicate Clearly With Homeowner

The more you can communicate, especially BEFORE your stay, the better. The homeowner will appreciate that you care about their home, their pets if they have them, and ability to ease their mind while they are awhile from home.

🐕 Tasks That Are Included In Housesitting

While staying in someone’s home, the owner will let you know what they expect of you and the tasks they need help with during your stay. If you are unclear about the expectations, have a system of questions that help you feel totally prepared for your stay. You do not want to assume anything of what tasks are involved in your stay.

🐕 Common tasks while house and pet sitting include:

Updating homeowners with photos and messages about their pets and property
Feeding pets and ensuring they have fresh water
Walking dogs and providing playtime or companionship
Cleaning litter boxes or pet cages
Administering medications if needed
Watering indoor and outdoor plants
Collecting mail and packages
Taking out trash and recycling
Keeping the home tidy and secure

🐕 Before Your Stay:

Know what to ask the client or company
Know what to expect from your experience
Understand the process from beginning to end
Before stay or upon arrival, go over house rules and pet routines.
Clarify all expectations before your stay
Ask for a written guide: feeding schedule, vet contact, Wi-Fi, trash days, etc.

🐕 During Your Stay:

Stay in touch during the sit — the homeowner often appreciates short updates and pictures of pets.
Handle emergencies responsibly, using the homeowner’s instructions or emergency contacts.
Treat their home with the same care you would your own.

Knowing the details will help you feel confident each time you accept a position to house-sit or petsit. This can also mean that you get repeat requests, good ratings on apps, and great reviews from past experiences, which could expand your opportunities.

7. Enjoy the Benefits of House Sitting

While it may not be a ‘vacation’, it is a special expereince with special opportunity. You are giving a home and pet owner the ability to enjoy their vacation or travel, and feeling confident that you are taking good care of their home. You are going to enjoy benefits too.

You have the freedom to explore at your own pace.
You can enjoy quiet retreats in beautiful homes.
You save money on accommodation while experiencing life like a local.
Each opportunity builds your resume and opportunity to help more wonderful families and pets around the world.

FAQs

Researching and talking to current housesitters to better understand what this job entails can help you decide if this is an option for you. It may sound simple and straightforward, but there can be a variety of experiences or expectations.

🏠 How to become a travel house sitter?

To become a house sitter, you have a few choices. You can join a trusted platform like TrustedHousesitters, which is unpaid and exchange-based, or websites like Care.com or Rover for paid opportunities. You can also house sit for people you know, like friends or family, for stay-cations, or if they live in another state. Create a compelling profile on whichever platform you choose, highlighting your reliability, pet care experience, and references. Like any new business, you could begin with local or short-term sites to build credibility and reviews. As you gain experience, apply for more extended or international house-sits. If going the paid route, set your rates for your services comperable to others in your area to get started.

🏠 Is it worth it to be a house sitter?

Being a housesitter can be worth it, especially if you love travel, pets, and staying in comfortable homes for free or at a low cost. Housesitting or pet sitting allows you to visit new cities and places while saving money on accommodation and often provides a peaceful, homey environment. While it does come with responsibilities, many find the trade-off more than fair for the lifestyle benefits.

🏠 How much do house sitters get paid per day?

House sitters can earn from $25 to $100+ daily, depending on the location, responsibilities, and experience level. In the United States, basic sits with little pet care typically cost around $30–50 daily, while more detailed sits or high-demand areas may pay more. Some international or long-term sits are unpaid but offer free accommodation in exchange for services. Rates often vary based on whether you’re using a platform, working privately, or offering additional services like dog walking or cleaning. Check out websites and get a feel for what other sitters are charging and match it to your experience and offer.

🏠 Is house sitting a good way to travel?

House and pet sitting can be a great way to hit the road and travel, especially for those who enjoy slower, more immersive experiences. It allows you to stay in real homes, like an Airbnb, while saving money on lodging. In exchange for caring for pets or maintaining a home, you get a more local, comfortable travel experience. It’s ideal for solo travelers, couples, or even families who are roadschooling, looking for affordable ways to explore new places and see the world.

🎙️ Podcast Episode #17 – Traveling House Sitter & Homeschool Travel

Final Thoughts On Becoming a Traveling House Sitter

What I love about travel is the variety of options for accommodations, transportation, and the whole world to explore. Whether you are traveling solo or as a parent homeschooling on the road, being a traveling house sitter can give you more options at a price point that makes traveling not just affordable but meaningful!