We’re travelling to Italy for a couple of months next April and May, so we will be looking for a house sitter for that time.
Has anyone used any of the house sitting web sites? How well did they work? Any hassles? How did you do a reference check?

Last time we got lucky, and a fellow Fodorite house sat for us. It worked well. It’s a bit scary just picking someone out of the blue.

Have you checked out home exchange sites, such as:
http://www.homeexchange.com/listings.php?gid=3175395

Also, sabbaticalhomes.com
http://sabbaticalhomes.com/WantedLis...ne&university=

I have not used homeexchange.com but I have known others who have exchanged homes for vacations. I have used sabbaticalhomes.com, with a good result.

Sabbatical homes is used mainly by teachers/academics (who can easily supply references).

I'm very tempted to offer to housesit as I have a friend in Elwood I'd love to visit!

We used to be lucky enough to be able to ask friends who were still living with their parents and wanted a break on their own. It worked well but all our friends now have their own homes and families and wouldn't be interested. My parents asked daughters of work colleagues to housesit, some worked out fine, others not so good.

We haven't used these websites but check them out. I guess the company themselves would provide a reference and if the person has done house-sitting for people before, then those people could provide a reference (not sure how you'd know if they were just friends posing as homeowners).

http://www.housecarers.com/
http://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/

I remember reading a seniors mag (called something liked Seniors Australia?) with an article about retired Australians who house-sit their way around Australia. Might be worth checking out the mags at the library for ads or ideas?

Good luck with it. Another option would be to pay someone you know well to go around every few days and check on things, mow the lawns, pay any bills etc.

Kay

Peter, I used a house sitting servive last year. To be honest I can't remember which one (seems crazy I know) it could have been aussiehousesitters. I found I had better luck when I placed my own advert (free) rather than searcing around for someone to meet the criteria time wise. So many I contacted were unavailable. Some even turned up for an interview(recommended) and then told me they weren't available, wouldn't you have checked your diary first? Maybe it was the house, I don't know. Anyway, I placed an ad and got quite a few responses. I was only interested in people that could come for an interview as I was leaving my two dogs, which was the main reason I had sitters. Yes, I asked for references and yes I followed them up.

I was very happy with the two girls who came to stay and the dogs were even happier!! Normally they sulk but it was as if I had just gone to the supermarket when I got home. That made me very happy.

I will need to start looking for someone for next year as I am planning to go away again.

Let us know how you went,
Schnauzer

Thanks all for your responses. I'll place an ad on a house sitting web site and see how I get on.

Cheers

Peter

I'll vouch for you, sassy_cat!

Good luck Peter, I always prefer to have someone in the house when I'm away for a while too.

An update.
We placed an advertisement on Aussiehousesitters.com.au, and received about a dozen responses within a couple of days.

Met yesterday with a couple who look good, the cats gave them their approval,and now it's all sorted.

Thanks to all for your advice.