Nathaniel Fried
Not everyone is fortunate enough that they can decide to pack up their bags and head out for a spontaneous weekend. Often, people have animals to care for or other household commitments that prevent them from traveling for extended periods of time without paying someone to watch the animals or take care of the house.
That is where house-sitting enters. In exchange for watching an animal, taking in the daily mail, watering plants, and other chores, you can get free housing in most countries around the globe. The duties can vary from watching a single turtle to caring for dozens of animals, so be sure to read what you are signing up for before applying for a house.
For the most luxurious houses and those in high-demand areas, the competition with other applicants can be much higher, which reduces your chances of being selected. Thus, it helps to establish your profile with some positive reviews by doing some shorter stays before you apply for a more premium house-sitting opportunity.
Resources: We currently use www.trustedhousesitters.com (worldwide), and www.nomador.com (more presence in France and neighboring European countries).
