Hi, we are Terry and Maura from New Zealand. We are international house sitters who have been travelling full-time since 2016 with house sitting.
During this time, we have completed over 130 house sits in some lovely locations in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the UK.
Go House Sitting was started to help house sitters and homeowners like yourself understand the basics of house sitting and how to get started in this wonderful lifestyle.
Go House Sitting: Affordable Travel, Unique Stays
Travel the world without paying for accommodation—while staying in beautiful homes and caring for adorable pets.
In Go House Sitting, full-time travellers Terry and Maura share how house sitting became their gateway to a richer, more affordable life of travel. With over 130 house sits and more than 2,000 nights in homes in multiple countries, they’ve discovered how to live like locals—without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re a retiree craving new experiences, a digital nomad seeking low-cost stays, or a pet lover dreaming of international adventures, this book gives you everything you need to get started.
Order your copy (eBook or Paperback) here Go House Sitting Book
What is House Sitting?
So, you’ve heard of the term’ house sitting,’ but are still unsure of what it entails?
House sitting is a mutually beneficial arrangement where a sitter takes care of a homeowner’s property and pets while the homeowner is away.
This service provides homeowners with peace of mind, knowing their home is secure and their pets are cared for, while offering sitters the opportunity to explore new places without the cost of accommodation.
Why Choose House Sitting?
If you enjoy helping others, love a change of scenery, and are flexible with the places you live, house sitting may be the change you’re seeking.
House sitting can offer a house sitter a new way of life, a new way of travelling and a lifestyle change.
House sitting can offer homeowners security, personal care for their pets, and a more affordable option for their pet care.
It’s probably why house sitting is becoming increasingly popular as a means of travel for both house sitters and homeowners.
Security and Peace of Mind – Homeowners can travel with confidence, knowing their property is safe and well-maintained.
Affordable Travel Opportunities – House sitters enjoy cost-effective travel, experiencing new locations while saving on accommodation expenses.
Pet Care and Companionship – Pets remain in their familiar environment, receiving personalised care and attention from sitters.
So, how do you get started with house sitting?
Getting Started with House Sitting
Getting started with house sitting is a lot easier than you think.
While homeowners may request a few requirements, such as police background checks and references, these are simply steps to ensure you are a trustworthy house sitter.
Once you’re covered these, the real key to your success lies in your:
- confidence,
- adaptability and
- life experience.
How you present these qualities to a homeowner plays a significant role in launching your house-sitting journey.
Don’t worry, many of us have been in your shoes and understand how it feels to start something new.
To help you get started, we have compiled some valuable tips and insights about house sitting, along with guidance on determining whether this lifestyle is the right fit for you.
Step 1 – Begin by researching and selecting a house sitting platform that suits your needs and preferences.
Step 2 – Create a compelling profile highlighting your experience, skills, and enthusiasm for house sitting.
Step 3 – Apply for house sitting opportunities, communicate effectively with homeowners, and secure your first sit.
Grab your Step by Step Guide to Go House Sitting
Choose Your House Sitting Platforms
There are numerous house-sitting websites, and membership fees range from USD 20 to USD 120 per year. Some platforms are country-specific, such as Kiwi Housesitters, while others are global, like Trusted Housesitters.
Trusted Housesitters is the largest house sitting platform covering the globe but with a limit of five applications, you need to be quick to respond.
Nomador is heavily European-based, with membership ranging from €79 to €179 per annum. What we loved was the Nomador Stopovers, where you can organise to be hosted in between your housesits.
Aussie Housesitters is ideal for finding housesits anywhere in Australia. We have been using this platform for over two years, living in Brisbane.
We have more information on prices and what each platform offers.
House Sitter and Homeowner Resources
We have compiled resources to help you get started with house sitting.
We have an FAQ and Checklists to help you get started:
- How to Create an Awesome Profile
- House Sitter Checklist
- Homeowner Checklist
- House Sitter Application Tracker
- Homeowner Interview Checklists
And if you want to read more on this amazing lifestyle, we have plenty of blog posts:
How to Get Started with House Sitting
What Homeowners Look for in a Great House Sitter
Grab your Go House Sitting eBook
Your best resource for house sitting is our eBook:
“Go House Sitting – Affordable Travel, Unique Stays” is available from Amazon.
Whether you’re dreaming of your first house sit or are already a seasoned sitter, this book is your guide to the real world of house sitting. Practical advice, funny stories, and all the unexpected lessons from our life on the move.
Our House Sitting Adventures
Housesitting has allowed us to travel to some incredible places around the world.
As well as staying in one city for over two years.
Where will house sitting take you?
France
The south of France conjures up visions of lovely towns near beautiful beaches, but there is so much more to see. As house sitters, we have explored many historic towns in the west and east of France.
Spain
Imagine staying six weeks within easy driving distance of many Pueblo Blancos, the famous white towns of Andalusia. This was a great way to discover a beautiful part of Spain and its tastier food.
London
London is one of the world’s great cities, but accommodation is so expensive. How did we afford to stay there for more than a month? With house sitting, we had a regular month each year.
Italy
Staying in a small Italian village surrounded by olive trees, orchards, and vineyards seems like a dream. But we lived this dream for over five weeks.
New Zealand
Our home country, New Zealand, is spectacular for its stunning scenery. We love our hometown, Wellington, as a gateway to the South Island’s mountains and lakes. In New Zealand, we use the house sitting platforms Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters to find the perfect housesit.
Australia
The warmth of Australia is one way to escape the heart of a European summer if you prefer milder temperatures. However, if you escape the European winter, the heat in Australia can be overbearing. We have enjoyed house sitting in Brisbane and Sydney.
Here is your best house sitting resource!
All you ever wanted to know about house sitting, Go House Sitting: Affordable Travel, Unique Stays, written by experienced international house sitters, Terry and Maura McKenna.
With more than 120 house sits in eight countries and nearly 2,000 nights looking after other people’s homes, they know what they are talking about.