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 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 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 Etiquette expert and founder of The Good Manners Company, Anna Musson, shares her expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n A referral from a friend is always the best way to find a house<\/a> sitter and asking around can be a good option before trying online sites.<\/p>\n Consider asking them these questions:<\/p>\n 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 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 \u00a0<\/p>\n House sitters are a great solution for when you have pets and need to travel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \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 \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 Kind regards, <\/em><\/p>\n Mary Jones\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to leave the house spotless when you\u2019re house sitting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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 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 \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n [ad_2]1. What should you look for in a house sitter?<\/h2>\n
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2. What kind of instructions should you leave for a house sitter?<\/h2>\n
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3. Should you have some kind of agreement?<\/h2>\n
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![\"Dog\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120433\/pets-body-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n4. How can you be a great housesitter?<\/h2>\n
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![\"Couple](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/22120511\/kitchen-body2-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n5. What are the most common things that go wrong in a house sitting situation?<\/h2>\n
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