House-sitting is the ultimate Airbnb: people will pay you to take a trip and stay in their home. jhorrocks/Getty Images

Imagine jet-setting across the globe, and you never have to pay for a hotel room, hostel or campground reservation. Instead, you stay in the comfort of a furnished home, with the freedom to roam and only a few simple responsibilities. House-sitting tourism is not entirely new, but it is growing in popularity, and not just among Gen Z and millennials.

People older than 50 rank as one of the decisively developing generations to discover this travel loophole.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

They call it a grey gap year. Like students who take time off between high school and college, or college and real life, recent retirees spend the first few months, or longer, exploring new environments, both domestic and international. But instead of backpacking around Europe, AARP members have a place to stay in exchange for taking care of a stranger’s property and pets. Or, in most cases, multiple strangers, as they hop from one temporary location to another.

It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that allows homeowners to vacation themselves and know that their house and four-footed children are in trusted hands. It allows the sitter to live like a local resident in a new community. You borrow someone else’s lifestyle, whether it be more upscale or more rustic.

For recent retirees, it can be a chance to test new waters before they settle into a formal retirement period. It’s also great for professionals on sabbatical, full-time slow travelers and a growing number of digital nomads as the gig economy is projected to increase to almost $650 billion in 2025.

Generally, house-sitting takes one of two forms. Some worry about home security. These homeowners want someone around so their house stays lived-in, the mail gets collected and the yard and garden are maintained.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Since the COVID lockdowns, a much larger contingent has arisen: homeowners who need someone who can also look after their pets or even livestock. There’s a domino effect. More people invested in pets during lockdowns, then were desperate to travel when restrictions eased, but couldn’t or wouldn’t afford higher pet boarding fees.

Apps like Rover and Wag are great at filling in daily gaps for pets as people return to the office. House-sitting is a better solution for longer periods of time, or if your pet has special medical or physical needs. Still, most house sitters have some free time for cooking, adventure and a built-in companion.

Experienced house sitters say to make sure you know what you’re in for. House-sitting isn’t for everyone, so they recommend new sitters to start locally to get a feel for things. The number one rule is to respect the homeowner’s property. Treat it as well, if not better than, you’d treat your own possessions.

Trust is key. Before they agree to let you use their home and care for their animals, you should answer their main question: Why should I trust you? Offer the homeowner your references, such as friends, family, landlords, and past sitters. Think of it like a job interview, except your references can be called, or offer written testimonials you can bring or post on your house-sitting app profile. You can also ask the owners for references. Trust should be mutual.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Communication is essential. The better the communication up front, the happier everyone will be. Part of the process is to manage expectations. Know exactly what the homeowner expects from you, and what you can expect from them. For example, some homeowners allow you to also use their vehicles, while others will not. Stay organized and don’t overcommit. This is especially true of dates: you don’t want to show up too early or too late.

If you can, spend at least a day with the homeowners before they leave. Make notes of any special instructions and ensure you have all the necessary contact information, including neighbors they trust. Read all the instructions, and ask questions if things aren’t clear. Finally, ask more questions; make sure you are as clear as possible on every aspect of your duties. There are no stupid questions.

Of course, you should always be clear, courteous and professional when speaking to your homeowners and their neighbors. Remember, your primary goal is to leave the house in the same, if not better, condition than you found it.

There isn’t a single job or opportunity that doesn’t result in a few horror stories. But if you’re prepared, you can minimize the chance of that happening. If either party isn’t feeling 100% comfortable with the other, it could lead to a bad experience; avoid house-sitting if you see any red flags. On the other hand, a good experience can lead to referrals and repeat bookings.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Most people use an app or website that connects house sitters with homeowners, often for a reasonable fee. This may or may not include the cost of a background check, but that’s something you cannot avoid paying for. Plan ahead for these annual fees so you don’t have to cancel a booking last minute.

Recording a personal video gives you a big advantage. It doesn’t have to be perfect or expensive. Just do a quick introduction, take a selfie on your phone and post it to your chosen house-sitting app. You can also do additional videos playing with puppies, kittens, etc.

It bears repeating: make sure you understand exactly what the homeowner expects. Don’t leave anything to chance, or it could come back to bite you. In that same vein, some house-sits are more complicated than others. Certain animals require a different skill set than just taking Fido for a walk and cleaning up after them. House sitters deal with horses, birds, fish, reptiles, even chickens and cattle. It’s okay to say no if you’re unsure you can handle it.

If you’re traveling internationally, check with local laws and the consulate before you depart. A few countries consider house-sitting work, even though you’re not making money from it. You don’t want to show up with a travel or student visa and end up in hot water with the government.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Hopping from home to home, doing other people’s chores may not be everyone’s idea of their best vacation. But for some, it’s a perfect fit. You should have some money set aside for your travels, or be excellent at remote work. Digital nomads point out that some countries have better free Wi-Fi than what most pay for in the States.