Should You Hire a House Sitter?

I came home from my last trip to an unpleasant surprise. During a weekend rainstorm, wind had damaged my ridge vent, creating a roof leak. I was thankful the rain stopped before water began to drip onto the carpet, but I'm still dealing with repairs and insurance claims.

I was only away for a weekend, so I didn't have anyone check my house during my trip. After this incident, I'll definitely consider hiring someone to keep an eye on things every time I'm away. Having a house sitter on-site can prevent small problems from turning into bigger ones.

Should you hire a house sitter for your next trip? There are many types of house sitting arrangements, from casual agreements with a neighbor to formal contracts with bonded house sitters. Some house sitters will take care of pets, giving you an alternative to boarding your dog or cat.

If you're not sure that you need a house sitter or wonder what services a house sitter provides, take a look at our helpful information on house sitting arrangements.

Photo © Mike Munchel