What will I be doing?

One of the easiest home-based jobs to start is a house-sitting service. As a house-sitter, you’ll be responsible for watching, checking on or staying in vacant homes to minimize burglary or damage. Depending on the client’s needs you may simply drive by once a day and pick up mail and newspapers—
or actually stay in the home while the owners are gone. Beyond that basic service, you may feed and care for pets, water plants, check and forward telephone messages and important mail and even clean the house.

What will I need to start?

House sitting requires no tools and few skills, but it does require honesty and a sense of trust. You may be required to be bonded and insured, depending on your clientele. Building a reputation as a trustworthy house sitter will build your business faster than paid advertising.

Some house sitters build a notebook of valuable information, which might include the names of customers and potential customers, emergency contacts for each, the location of hidden keys, codes for security systems and more. You may also want a house-sitting kit that includes flashlights, household tools, notepads and pens, and other resources that may come in handy as you check out a home.

Who will my customers be?

In most cases, your customers will be homeowners and apartment dwellers who are traveling and will be away from their homes for more than a couple of days. Areas of more expensive homes may be a good area in which to start working.

Some house sitters specialize in vacant homes that are currently for sale or lease through local real estate companies. Contact agencies in your area to discuss their needs. Don’t forget to contact bankers who may have repossessed homes that are vacant and need watching.