We started using TrustedHousesitters when we began travelling as a family five years ago.
After twenty-seven housesits and a wealth of wonderful travel memories, I thought it was finally time to share an honest review of Trusted Housesitters.
It’d be rude not to.
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Why Housesitting? (Especially with kids?!)
A few years ago, my husband and I decided to leave everything behind for a year and travel the world with our teenagers.
I was homeschooling the kids, so school wasn’t an issue, we were renting our house for a year, so the mortgage was sorted, and the dog and our three cats were in the hands of my very kind mum …
But.
We are not a financially wealthy family, and we quickly realised that if we wanted to travel the world for a year with our teenagers, we’d need as many ways as possible to save money.
Us in Venice. Made possible by the fact that we saved $$$ by housesitting
Love for Travel and Pets and the Chance to Save Money
After overhearing a conversation between two women who had just spent the summer in Spain and were gushing about how they were able to travel for free by housesitting, we did some research and discovered the company TrustedHousitters.
We are both home and pet owners (owned!) and huge pet lovers, so utilising home and pet care seemed like the perfect option for us.
Twenty-seven housesits later…(ninety-five per cent of them successful, yes, there are housesitting pros and cons, so make sure you read them!), the rest, as they say, is history.
We now have location independent jobs, and it is safe to say that house sitting is a huge component of how we afford to travel the world.
Housesitting in Normandy, France, with Pickle. (Or is is Piquel??)
What (EXACTLY) is Housesitting?
While there are a few definitions of housesitting, my explanation is simple:
House sitters provide pet and home care in exchange for accommodation. Neither house sitter nor pet owner pays for this exchange.
Both sitter and homeowner use a company (in our case, TrustedHousesitters). Homeowners get to travel worry-free, and sitters get to experience some of the most beautiful places on earth without breaking the bank.
TrustedHousesitters gathers pet and home sitting assignments from owners around the world and presents them to YOU (the pet and home sitter).
You look, you like, you choose, you apply, you sit. Simple!
Are Housesits Available all over the world?
Yes! TrustedHousesitters offers houses from all over the world. To give you an idea, check out these housesits around the world (don’t worry, browsing is free).
Check out these housesits in Italy
Check out these housesits in Ireland
Check out these housesits in New Zealand
Check out the housesits in the USA
Finished browsing? ready to take the leap and try Housesitting? Sign up for TrustedHousesitters and use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% by clicking here.
Can Anyone Become a Trusted Home Sitter?
Before we jump into this review of Trusted Housesitters, I feel the need to be completely upfront and honest with you.
(What can I say? I’m British. If I thought for one minute I was wasting your time, I’d be mortified).
Shock Horror: Housesitting May Not Be for You
Here’s the thing: Being a trusted home sitter isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. There are times when housesitting sucks. Some people would rather not travel at all than sit a house.
Some people would rather eat rats.
I have met plenty of travellers who say they can’t think of anything worse than looking after someone else’s home and pets while they are away, but, with 27 housesits under my (and my family’s) belt, I disagree.
Strongly.
But I Highly Doubt it…
For the sake of being careful with the china teacups and making sure the house is cleaned thoroughly at the end of the stay, you get to save yourself an absolute fortune.
You also get to meet wonderful people, eat glorious food and house-sit in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Rats?
No thanks. Give me a trusted home care experience any day.
Yikes. Is it s-s-s-afe to come out yet?
Housesitting and Pets? But I don’t like Animals!
If you don’t love animals, house sitting probably isn’t for you either.
While it’s true that it’s possible to score a house without animals, it’s not the norm. And when those sits do come up, they are in high demand.
So, just to be clear: You love animals, you want to travel the world, and you are keen to save money?
Perfect. Let’s continue…
Want to try Housesitting? Use This Link For a 25% Housesitting Discount:
Sign up for TrustedHousesitters and use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% by clicking here.
The places that you get to stay in while house-sitting will blow you away. House sitting for three weeks in the French Alps.
How Much Money Can You Save by Housesitting?
Tons.
As well as New Zealand, our home country, where quite often we escape to Wellington for a break), we have cared for pets and houses all over the world, including England, and the USA. We have also saved $$$ by housesitting in Europe.
Over the last five years, we have saved over $30,000 on accommodation.
I’ll say that again. $30,000 saving!!
How much would you pay for a view like that? It could cost you NOTHING if you become a house sitter!
Housesitting in Tuscany, Italy
Last summer, we spent six weeks in Porto San Stefano in Tuscany, Italy, home sitting a little cat in a villa overlooking the Mediterranean.
We estimated the cost of that accommodation (the same house on Airbnb, for example) to be $21,000.
I know. That’s a lot of money to save, isn’t it? That’s why I get so irate when I hear people say that house sitting is a scam. Crazy.
But before you run and grab your passport, first things first. Let me give you a review of my favourite housesitting website: TrustedHousesitters.
Housesitting in Tuscany, Italy. What a dream come true.
How To Become a Housesitter. Using TrustedHousesitters
So that you know I am completely transparent and honest with you, let me start by saying I am an affiliate for TrustedHousesitters, and proudly so.
They are the house-sitting company we use, and, as I say, I love them.
They have saved us an absolute fortune and provided us with travel that we would never have otherwise experienced.
These experiences include a month in a farmhouse in Ireland, a villa in Napier, New Zealand (although that one did have its downsides…) and of course, the house sitting in Tuscany, Italy, for six weeks that I mentioned earlier in this review.
There are many housesitting websites on the World Wide Web, but we have only ever used TrustedHousesitters.
We absolutely love them. Here’s why:
Why We (Only Ever) Recommend TrustedHousesitters
Their website interface is straightforward to use, especially for technophobes like me.
You can upload videos onto your profile (big help – more on that later), and everything seems to work.
Pretty pictures, lots of information, and, like I said, very easy to use.
The customer service is excellent and very accessible, and they have a live chat along with a free 24/7 vet helpline. Perfect if you need that extra reassurance when you are dog or cat-sitting.
Housesitting in rural France. The chance to write my book and relax. No hotels, no Airbnb, no bills.
How Housesitting Works
- You are a traveller who wishes to visit a city or country.
- You love animals.
- You sign up for the website Trusted Housesitters (this part is free; check it out here). This will cost you approx $140 a year. Think about that for a minute.
- You will make that fee back on your first night’s free accommodation. Even better than that, you can use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% by Clicking here.
- You are a responsible human being who can be trusted. Trusted Housesitters. Get it?!
- You make a profile. On this profile, you add lots of photos and as much information about yourself as possible. Remember, people are trusting you with their home and pets; they will expect more than a few lines saying ‘we are nice’.
- You can add a video to your profile. More on this later.
- You are sent emails every day with the latest international housesitting opportunities. You start searching.
- You find your perfect housesit. It is in Rome, and you’ve always wanted to go to Rome—lots of nice Italians and cheese.
- You apply by way of email through the site. (More on this later)
- The homeowner falls in love with your profile because you have listened to my advice, and your profile beats everyone else’s hands down.
- The host will contact you and perhaps arrange a Zoom call. You have a chat, and before you know it, Mamma Mia! You’re going to Europe to stay in Rome for two weeks!
How to Become a Trusted Housesitter
To become a Trusted Housesitter, you’ll need to create a profile that highlights your experience, skills, and love for animals.
Creating a Housesitting Profile
When building your profile, make sure to include relevant details such as any previous housesitting experience, your ability to handle different types of pets, and any additional skills or qualifications.
Including references or testimonials from previous homeowners can also boost your chances of securing housesitting opportunities.
Once your profile is complete, you can browse the available housesits.
Trusted Housesitters allows you to filter your search based on location, duration, and pet preferences.
Take the time to read through each listing carefully and ensure that the housesit aligns with your travel plans and preferences.
Make Sure Your Trusted Housesitting Profile Rocks!
This is one of the reasons I preferred Trusted Housesitters to the other housesitting websites. You can do so much with your profile.
Your profile is everything on any housesitting website; it’s your one chance to shine.
Make sure you cram it with as much information as possible.
As well as putting lots of lovely photos up of yourself (preferably with animals), write your description with personality – meaning let your voice come through.
You are far more likely to appeal to a homeowner if they can tell that you are a real person and not just someone with a pocket thesaurus.
Make a Video for your TrustedHousesitting Profile!
I know that being in front of a video isn’t easy, but trust me…it’s worth the initial fear.
We mad ea video for our housesitting profile, and I can guarantee this is what gets us so many housesitting gigs.
I simply stood in front of my husband’s phone and walked around our home (which I had spent five hours tidying beforehand) while he filmed me showing the viewer where we lived and that we were a genuine, friendly family.
Keep the Housesitting Video Simple
I got the kids to talk to the camera while they were with our pets (we own a dog, four cats and five sheep) so that people could see we were animal lovers.
It sounds like a big effort, but honestly, it’s worth it. And it’s fun to make the video!!
Our video was about five minutes long, but remember, it doesn’t have to be anything flash, just as long as it gives the potential house owner a chance to see who you are and what you are about.
I guarantee that by going the extra mile, you will have more chances of getting the house you want.
Housesitting in France. We were there for Bastille Day. Can you imagine what that would have cost us in a hotel?!
Want to try Housesitting? Use Our 25% OFF Housesitting Discount!
Sign up for Trusted Housesitters and use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% off the yearly membership by clicking here.
Profile Complete! Start Browsing Trusted Housesitters
This is the exciting part!!
Once your profile is complete, you can start browsing through the available house sitters.
TrustedHousesitters allows you to filter your search based on criteria such as location, availability, and past reviews.
You can also communicate directly with potential sitters to ask questions or arrange a meet-and-greet before making a final decision.
Our Experience Of Housesitting in Europe
Housesits come up all over the world, but if you are particularly interested in cities and you are longing to see Europe, then house-sitting is the thing for you.
Paris, Rome, Venice, Athens, Dublin, Berlin, London…the list goes on.
There are hundreds of gorgeous houses in every one of these cities advertised every month, just waiting for people like you.
Because we live in New Zealand, house sitting in Europe is something we have done masses of (must be something to do with being at the other side of the world!) and we LOVE it!
TrustedHousesitters vs other house-sitting platforms
While there are several house sitting platforms available, TrustedHousesitters stands out for its extensive community and rigorous verification process.
Trusted Housesitters ensures that all sitters go through a thorough background check, providing homeowners with peace of mind and a sense of security.
Additionally, TrustedHousesitters offers a wide range of housesitting opportunities around the world, making it easier for homeowners to find suitable sitters and for sitters to find exciting destinations to explore.
The platform’s user-friendly interface and robust support system also contribute to its popularity and success.
The cost of Trusted Housesitters
Browsing is free, but there is a membership fee to gain access to all the benefits and features of Trusted Housesitters.
The fee allows homeowners to post their housesitting assignments and browse through potential sitters, while sitters (you) can apply for available housesits and build your profiles.
The cost of membership is a small investment (even smaller when you use my discount link) compared to what you will save in accommodation BUT…
TrustedHousesitters is NOT the Cheapest Option
I have to be clear, (and remember I promised you an honest review) TrustedHousesitters is more expensive than most other house sitting companies.
So if you are desperate to save a few dollars, then maybe check out the others.
Personally, for the sake of twenty bucks a year, there is no way I would consider not using Trusted Housesitters.
Ultimately, though, this is your money, and the decision is yours.
But We Have Ways of Making it Even MORE Affordable!
Also, do not forget the cost of the membership is reduced for the first year by 25% when you use my discount code.
This brings the cost down enormously.
Trusted Housesitters also offers a money-back guarantee, ensuring that if you’re unsatisfied with your experience within the first 14 days, you can receive a full refund.
This guarantee further emphasizes the platform’s commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service.
Ahhh…need I say more?!
Sign up to Trusted Housesitters and use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% NOW!
Is Trusted Housesitters Worth it?
Yes, yes, yes!!
Apart from the obvious that I’ve already mentioned (saving $30,000+ on accommodation, meeting the most fabulous people, living in Tuscany, Italy for six weeks, and opening my children’s eyes to other travel alternatives), here’s why else I think TrustedHousesitters is worth using:
- Extensive Global Network: TrustedHousesitters boasts a large community of both homeowners and house sitters from around the world, offering diverse opportunities in various locations.
- Quality Assurance: The platform conducts identity verifications and background checks on both homeowners and house sitters, enhancing trust and safety within the community.
- Wide Range of Listings: TrustedHousesitters features a diverse range of house-sitting opportunities, including short-term and long-term stays, rural retreats, urban homes, and even luxury properties.
- Cost Savings: House sitters can enjoy free accommodation in exchange for their services, making it an affordable way to travel and experience different cultures.
- Pet Sitting Opportunities: Many homeowners on TrustedHousesitters are pet owners who require someone reliable to care for their pets while they’re away. This provides house sitters with rewarding experiences looking after animals.
- Flexible Membership Options: While there’s an annual membership fee, TrustedHousesitters often offers discounts and promotions, making it more accessible to potential users.
- Community Support: The platform fosters a supportive community where members can connect, share experiences, and offer advice to one another.
- Detailed Profiles: Users can create detailed profiles showcasing their skills, experiences, and preferences, allowing for better matches between homeowners and house sitters.
- 24/7 Customer Support: TrustedHousesitters provides round-the-clock customer support to assist users with any issues or concerns they may encounter.
- Peace of Mind: Both homeowners and house sitters benefit from the platform’s secure payment system, verified profiles, and comprehensive support, ensuring peace of mind throughout the house-sitting experience.
Summing up: Housesitting review of Trusted Housesitters.
I can’t think of a better way to spend time in a country for free than to house sit, and after 27 housesits, I can confidently recommend TrustedHousesitters.
If you are thinking of ways to save money, experience living in fabulous places for free and have the adventure of a lifetime, then get your name on the Trusted Housesitters website.
And don’t forget – Sign up to Trusted Housesitters and use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% by clicking here.
It doesn’t get better than that! Happy travels!
Would you love to stay connected and read more about how to travel? Join me!
*Email me at liz@itsadrama if there is anything I haven’t covered. I’ll be more than happy to help you further!
