Freedom List​ ​Get Remote Jobs Here | Live & Work From Anywhere.

Hi Reader

​
Travel & House Sitting Reviews: Don’t Just Look at the Stars

One of our biggest discussions in the Facebook group this week wasn’t about travel destinations or pets.

It was about reviews.

More specifically…

If a house sit (or sitter) wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t great, would you leave less than five stars?

The conversation quickly grew because people saw it from both sides.

Homeowners worried about unfair criticism.

Sitters worried that anything less than five stars could damage future opportunities.

It reminded Cooper and I of something that’s true far beyond house sitting.

Whether you’re booking an Airbnb, reading Google reviews, choosing a hotel or applying for a house sit, the star rating is only the beginning.

The real story is usually hidden in the words.

Here are five things I always look for before I book or apply.

1. Read the three and four-star reviews first​
   Five-star reviews tell you what people loved. Mid-range reviews often reveal the little details that matter day to day.
   ​
2. Look for repeated themes​
   One person mentioning slow Wi-Fi probably isn’t a concern. Five or six people mentioning it probably is.
   ​
3. Decide what matters most to you​
   I always look for comments about noise because I value somewhere quiet. Someone else might care more about parking, fast internet or how close it is to public transport. The “best” place is the one that suits your priorities.
   ​
4. Notice what’s not being said​
   If nobody mentions communication, cleanliness or the pets themselves, ask yourself why. Sometimes what’s missing tells you as much as what’s written.
   ​
5. Read between the lines​
   Phrases like “it was fine” or “met expectations” often tell a different story from reviews filled with genuine enthusiasm and specific examples.

No review system is perfect.

That’s why I always use ratings as a starting point, not the final decision.

Free Guide: One Conversation Can Prevent a Lot of Problems

One of the easiest ways to avoid misunderstandings isn't reading more reviews.

It's having better conversations before the sit even begins.

That's exactly why we created our free Before You Say "Yes" to a House Sit e-Guide.

It walks both homeowners and sitters through the questions worth asking before the keys are handed over, helping everyone start the sit with confidence and clear expectations.

Download Your Free Guide

---

New on YouTube

Become a Better Sitter in 2026

Whether you're applying for your very first sit or you've completed dozens already, there are always little things that can help you stand out and also enjoy the experience as much as possible.

​

In our latest video, we're sharing practical tips to help you become the kind of sitter homeowners remember for all the right reasons, but also the easiy actions that help you maintain peace of mind in your own house sitting experiences.

From communication and preparation through to building trust and securing more opportunities.

Watch the vlog →

🌟Want more support? Get your copy of our popular Mastering House Sitting Essentials e-guide (including updated 2026 global directory of the best house sit platforms) for just $5.99 here.

---

This Week's Remote Jobs

Here are 7 newly advertised part-time or contract remote creative, comms and education roles you can do from anywhere:

– Content Strategist – USA​
Perfect for experienced content professionals who enjoy shaping strategy, messaging and digital content.

– Influencer Marketing Assistant – Remote​
A great opportunity for someone looking to build experience in influencer outreach, partnerships and social media campaigns.

– Marketing Demand Generation Manager – Brazil​
Ideal for marketers with experience in lead generation, campaign strategy and business growth.

– Digital Marketing Project Coordinator – Colombia​
Perfect for organised marketers who enjoy coordinating digital campaigns and working across multiple projects.

– Marketing Academic Developers & Critical Readers – South Africa​
A unique opportunity for experienced marketing professionals with a passion for academic writing and quality assurance.

– Marketing Operations Manager – Canada​
A fantastic role for someone who enjoys marketing systems, automation and improving campaign performance.

– Federal Field Marketing Manager – Ireland​
Ideal for experienced marketers leading regional campaigns, events and stakeholder engagement.

Find these jobs and more NOW on our job board: remoteparttimejobs.club

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

The Residence, Wimbledon, England SW19
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​