{"id":4766,"date":"2017-05-30T00:00:31","date_gmt":"2017-05-30T00:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/how-do-you-find-a-good-house-sitter\/"},"modified":"2017-05-30T00:00:31","modified_gmt":"2017-05-30T00:00:31","slug":"how-do-you-find-a-good-house-sitter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/how-do-you-find-a-good-house-sitter\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you find a good house sitter?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p><strong>So you\u2019re going away for an extended period of time and need someone to keep an eye on things at home.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps you have pets who need caring for, a garden that needs some maintenance, or you\u2019re just security conscious and value someone being in your home.<\/p>\n<p>A house sitter can be a great solution. But how do you find a reliable one, so you won\u2019t come home to a disaster?<\/p>\n<p><span>Etiquette expert and founder of The Good Manners Company, Anna Musson, shares her expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>1. What should you look for in a house sitter?<\/h2>\n<p>A referral from a friend is always the best way to <a href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/explore-high-end-homes-for-sale-on-the-market\/\">find a house<\/a> sitter and asking around can be a good option before trying online sites.<\/p>\n<p>Consider asking them these questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do they like pets?<\/li>\n<li>Do they smoke?<\/li>\n<li>Are they a good cook? (If they say no, hide your good pans)<\/li>\n<li>Have they done much house sitting?<\/li>\n<li>Do they work? If so, what hours do they work?<\/li>\n<li>Would they be bringing their partner, pet or children with them?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2. What kind of instructions should you leave for a house sitter?<\/h2>\n<p>Set them up for success with an informative sheet about the house and consider making up a folder if you plan to be away often. Include helpful information like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your contact details and alternative contact<\/li>\n<li>Emergency numbers<\/li>\n<li>Rubbish collection days<\/li>\n<li>How to use the washing machine<\/li>\n<li>Neighbours\u2019 names<\/li>\n<li>Mail collection<\/li>\n<li>Public transport<\/li>\n<li>Body corporate rules<\/li>\n<li>House rules (such as no go areas, or \u2018don\u2019t use the insinkerator\u2019)<\/li>\n<li>How to use the internet\/TV system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>3. Should you have some kind of agreement?<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s always better to have a sharing agreement so they are aware of the boundaries and you have an agreed understanding. A house sitting agreement can be a one-page document for each party to sign which includes handling of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exchange of keys<\/li>\n<li>Timing of access to the property<\/li>\n<li>Payment details<\/li>\n<li>Pets being cared for<\/li>\n<li>Cars, boats, bikes being used<\/li>\n<li>Replacement for damaged\/broken items<\/li>\n<li>Notice period for change of circumstances (such as leaving in case of emergency)<\/li>\n<li>Emergency contact numbers<\/li>\n<li>Agreement to act with best intentions to care for the property<\/li>\n<li>Terms for vacating<\/li>\n<li>Plants to be watered<\/li>\n<li>General household care<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_168280\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Dog\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-image-168280 size-large\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">House sitters are a great solution for when you have pets and need to travel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>4. How can you be a great housesitter?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Housesitting often relies on referrals, so take photos of their happy pets, be friendly to the neighbours, bring the mail in and treat the house as you would your favourite Aunt\u2019s place.<\/li>\n<li>If your owners strike you as the fastidious type, take photos before you settle in so you can replace the cushions the way they were on arrival.<\/li>\n<li>Make sure you leave the place spotless.<\/li>\n<li>Change the sheets and let them know you\u2019ve done so when they arrive home they don\u2019t have to strip the beds and wash the sheets themselves.<\/li>\n<li>Send an email or SMS or leave a note on the bench next to some flowers from their garden. The note might read:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>\u201cWelcome home John and Susan! Thank you for having me in your lovely home. The plants were watered, and dogs fed and walked (and cuddled) this morning.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0I have changed the sheets in the guest bedroom and they are in the washing machine. Please let me know if you ever need my services again, I would be very happy to come back for your next holiday.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Kind regards, <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Mary Jones\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_168281\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Couple in kitchen\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-image-168281 size-large\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">It\u2019s important to leave the house spotless when you\u2019re house sitting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>5. What are the most common things that go wrong in a house sitting situation?<\/h2>\n<p>Not having all the emergency numbers can leave a house sitter feeling overwhelmed should something go wrong. Pets can become ill, pipes can burst, the internet can go down and solving problems when you are a stranger to the house\/overseas in a different time zone, is stressful.<\/p>\n<p>Specify no parties allowed, why dogs must be allowed out (lest they wee inside) and don\u2019t leave the house messy, or\u00a0eat the entire contents of their fridge and pantry during the stay.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;\n                  <\/p><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a hre=\"http:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/advice\/how-do-you-find-a-good-house-sitter\/\">Realestate.com.au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] So you\u2019re going away for an extended period of time and need someone to keep &hellip; <a title=\"How do you find a good house sitter?\" class=\"hm-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/how-do-you-find-a-good-house-sitter\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How do you find a good house sitter?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4767,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[981,6997,12908,543,617,489,1007,1421,41,818],"class_list":["post-4766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities-in-new-markets","tag-a-house","tag-dogs","tag-home","tag-home-buying-guide","tag-house","tag-houses","tag-owners","tag-pets","tag-property","tag-real"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/pets-body-1024x768.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7301,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/how-neighborly-are-americans-not-very\/","url_meta":{"origin":4766,"position":0},"title":"How Neighborly Are Americans? Not Very","author":"Amazing Property","date":"November 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Nearly 30 percent of Americans admit\u00a0they don\u2019t know their neighbor\u2019s first name. But at least 90 percent have smiled or spoken to their neighbors\u2014at least once, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 Americans released by Safehome.org, a home security systems review resource. Fifty-three percent of Americans say\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Neighbors Chart.png","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Neighbors%20chart.png?fit=795%2C807&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Neighbors%20chart.png?fit=795%2C807&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Neighbors%20chart.png?fit=795%2C807&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Neighbors%20chart.png?fit=795%2C807&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":757,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/dont-underestimate-power-of-pets\/","url_meta":{"origin":4766,"position":1},"title":"Don\u2019t Underestimate Power of Pets","author":"Amazing Property","date":"February 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"[ad_1] Pets are having more of an influence in home buying and selling as well as renovation, a new study by the National Association of REALTORS\u00ae shows. Eighty-one percent of Americans say that animal-related considerations play a role when deciding on their next living situation, according to the 2017\u00a0Animal House:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/2_13_pets.jpg?fit=750%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/2_13_pets.jpg?fit=750%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/2_13_pets.jpg?fit=750%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/2_13_pets.jpg?fit=750%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1709,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/if-pets-could-pick-a-home-theyd-pick-here\/","url_meta":{"origin":4766,"position":2},"title":"If Pets Could Pick a Home, They\u2019d Pick Here","author":"Amazing Property","date":"March 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Pet owners in some states do a better job than those in others creating a thriving home for their furry friends, according to a new survey by Care.com. Read more: The Power of Pets in Real Estate Listings Care.com recently looked at a variety of data about pet care to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3863,"url":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/are-your-pets-soiling-your-chances-of-selling-your-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":4766,"position":3},"title":"Are Your Pets Soiling Your Chances of Selling Your Home?","author":"Amazing Property","date":"April 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"How much your pets may be hurting your marketing efforts in selling your home ?. Pets are often so loved by their owners that they are allowed the run of the house. At their worst, doggie and kitty dictators mark their territory with pungent odors and unsightly stains. 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But for some millennials, the need for more space is particularly tied to their furry friends. Read more: Use Pets to Sell More A third of recent home buyers ages 18 to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opportunities In New Markets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opportunities In New Markets","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/category\/opportunities-in-new-markets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/SunTrust%20Mortgage_dogs.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/SunTrust%20Mortgage_dogs.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/SunTrust%20Mortgage_dogs.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/SunTrust%20Mortgage_dogs.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/SunTrust%20Mortgage_dogs.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4766"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4766\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}