SEE THE WORLD - FREE
You’re right nothing is actually FREE! But can you imagine looking at a directory that lists home owners and pet parents that are looking for care givers to their home and pets for days and weeks at a time. IN EXOTIC PLACES AROUND THE WORLD!
I wrote this article and blog post with several of my friends in mind - enjoy and hopefully it inspires you to TRAVEL! - TAZ
Retirees Find House Sitting Opens the Door to a New World...
Recent press releases highlighting the travels of retiree house sitters are showing that becoming a senior is not a ticket to boredom, or a sedentary lifestyle. Retirees from around the world are finding HouseCarers.com to be the key that opens the door to unique, authentic and free travel to destinations that they had once only dreamed about.
Unfortunately, many retirees do not have the liberty of spending their retirement egg on pleasure items or excursions, such as traveling. Many individuals and couples who live on a fixed income have found that their funds usually only cover the basics of living. After a lifetime of raising families, running businesses and being everything to everyone, retirees are finding there is a way to travel and experience the world on their terms. HouseCarers.com is allowing them to connect with home owners who are in need of house sitters. In exchange for a valuable service, retirees are able to enter into new worlds, that would otherwise be closed to them.
Becoming a house sitter is a fairly easy process.
You can visit HouseCarers.com on the Internet and for a price that is less than an evening meal out, you can register as a house sitter for an entire year. You will be given 30 full lines to describe yourself. You can list multiple locations where you are available to house sit, along with the dates you are available. You can even use the sample ad that is listed on the site to guide you in writing your personal information.
The information you enter is instantly available to prospective home owners who are seeking out a house sitter. At any time you can go in and update your profile, change your destination areas or dates, and all of it is free of charge. When house sits become available in your chosen areas, you will receive notification via email. You will also be notified when you have messages from prospective homeowners in your chosen areas. Your identity and personal information are kept confidential and it is only revealed to a home owner when you are comfortable.
Becoming a house sitter will save you thousands of dollars on travel and accommodations. By making yourself available to a home owner as a house sitter, you are giving them an invaluable service. Home owners can leave their residence knowing they are leaving it in capable hands. House sitters may be asked to perform routine things such as pet care, gardening, or even scheduling a home repair if the need arises. You may be asked to forward mail, relay phone messages or take a pet to a scheduled vet visit. House sits range in duration. Some may be for a week, while others may be for a month, or more. The requirements are minimal when you compare it to what you receive.
Newlywed Retirees Are Leading Active Lives House Sitting
Tony and Margaret Steele-Rijkelijkhuizen have only been married a little less than three years, yet these retirees are not sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. Before their marriage, both Tony and Margaret led very active lives, and they saw no reason why retirement should slow them down. As house sitters, the Steele-Rijkelijkhuizen’s are traveling the world. They recently returned back to their home in the Netherlands from a house sit in Greece.
“We stayed in Naplion, which is located to the southwest of Athens. We were there in September, which was not at the height of summer, but nevertheless, it was still quite hot and dry. We had plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside, which is steeped in ancient Greek history. We found Greece a wonderful place to visit. It offers something for everyone. Mediterranean climate, beautiful countryside, and a wealth of ancient Greek historical monuments to visits. Plus, of course, a huge Greek warm welcome everywhere we would go.”
Tony and Margaret Steel-Rijkelijkhuizen arrived at their house sit in Greece a few days early. This enabled them to become comfortable with the property and the pets they would be sitting for prior to the owners departure. When asked about house sitting in general and tips for future house sitters, they were quick to point out how it is important that a feeling of trustworthiness is felt between both the house sitters and the home owners.
“It is easy to make yourself available to be a sitter, but then in order to get someone to accept you-- to care for their home and pets--the essence lies in creating a feeling of trustworthiness. Before you even apply for a sit, do your homework. Know exactly what is being asked of you, and what is being offered in return. Research the area you will be visiting and take into consideration how you will adapt to the environment. If there are animals to be cared for, know exactly what you are taking on. If there is a breed of dog that you are unfamiliar with, read as much as you need to feel comfortable with the situation.”
Greece is not the last country this couple will be visiting. “Greece was our first assignment out of our known environment. We have previously sat for families in England and Holland. We are currently pursuing further assignments in France, Italy and the USA,” Tony reports. “Margaret’s children live in various locations in the USA and house sitting might offer the opportunity to spend more time in the USA, perhaps near her children. We are planning as far ahead as next Christmas time.”
Tony and Margaret Steel- Rijkelijkhuize are enrolled in the catalog of house sitters at HouseCarers.com. They report how happy they are to have found a way to stay active and travel the world as retirees-- without having to dip heavily into their retirement fund. They are just one of the many couples who house sit through HouseCarers.com
