Hi Reader

A conversation doing the rounds in house sitting circles this week got us thinking about what a house sit actually is.

It came from an experienced sitter – a homeowner too – who joined a popular house sitting site because she loved the idea of an equal exchange. You care for my pets, I share my home, and we both come out ahead.

Her first sits felt exactly like that. Kind homeowners, long chats over dinner, even friendships she expects to keep for life.

On more recent sits, it felt different.

Video calls where she felt more like a hired hand than a guest. No chance to meet in person before the homeowners left. Not even a coffee. Clear instructions to use nothing but the condiments, leave no trace, and be gone before they got home.

She’s now wondering whether to stop altogether – or only take paid sits.

Plenty of sitters said they’d felt the same.

To be fair to homeowners, there’s often more to it than it looks. Travel days are chaos. Early flights, packing, kids, a dog like our own astute Westie who knows something’s up. Not everyone has a spare night or a spare room for an overlap. And asking for the home to be left as you found it is perfectly reasonable.

What struck us wasn’t the house rules.

It was the welcome.

After many house sits ourselves, the ones we remember best weren’t the grandest homes. They were the ones where someone put the kettle on.

1. Homeowners: make time for a proper handover

A coffee, a walk with the dog, a meal if you can manage it. Even half an hour turns a stranger into someone you trust with your four-legged family.

2. Sitters: ask about it on the video call

“Would there be a chance to meet before you leave?” is a perfectly normal question. How they answer tells you a lot.

3. Remember, if it's 'free', it’s an exchange, not a job

Both sides are giving something of real value. If either of you starts to feel like staff or something else, it’s worth a gentle conversation. And if as a sitter you’d rather be paid, that’s a perfectly valid choice – it’s just a different arrangement.

For the majority now in this scene, a house sit is an exchange of trust – not a free holiday, and not unpaid work.

The house rules matter. The pets matter most. But it’s the welcome people remember.

What’s the best welcome you’ve had on a sit – or given as a homeowner? Hit reply – we read every one :)

🚆 YouTube Pick

House Sitting Side Hustle: How To Earn £500+ A Week House Sitting

And talking of paid sits…

If you missed this one, it's our look at the other side of house sitting – when it's paid work rather than an exchange, and what that can earn you.

It's worth a watch if you've ever wondered whether paid sitting might suit you better.

Watch it with a cuppa here 👇🏼

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Got any questions or comments? Reply to this email - we read each response and are happy to help.

New to our YouTube channel? Watch our latest videos here.

💡 One Useful Thing

The Is this sit right for me? checklist

The best time to spot a mismatch is before you say yes, not on day three.

Our Mastering House Sitting Essentials e-guide includes a simple checklist for exactly that, plus a directory of house sitting platforms (big and small) and an application letter template. It’s $5.99.

💻Remote Work Corner

Your next client might be just down the road

If you're building a freelance or remote business, don't overlook the café, the dog groomer or the B&B round the corner. Plenty of small local businesses need a hand with their website or social media and simply don't know who to ask.

AI can help you do the work faster. But sometimes the best place to find online work is offline :)

Want more guidance in this space? Drop us a return email with some details on where you're at.

That's it for this week. Happy travels, Sarah & Cooper :)

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The Residence, Wimbledon, England SW19
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