Just curious what it takes to become a housesitter in the U.S. or outside the country. Do we have to pay a fee or are there reputable companies out there that need good sitters and charge those needing a service? Just wondering. We have done some house/pet sitting and have good references. Getting ready for retirement or semi-retirement. Any suggestions?

Usually this is done via personal connections - not a service or agency (which would probably raise costs beyond what the average person would pay). And those with larger incomes often have permanent line-in staff - so don;t need this. (Most housesitting I am aware of it done by a friend of a friend for a modest fee for a couple of weeks - primarily plant and pet care - and just not leaving the house empty.)

If you are looking for the latter - that is, being staff long-term for the uber wealthy - you should check with the major domestic service agencies.

Don't get your hopes up. There are thousands of experienced people ahead of you with great references.

I would never have a housesitter that I didn't personally know.

Here in Nantucket, most property owners have a caretaker who drops in on the property once a week and after storms. This person arranges maintenance and new work with other contractors. It would be very unusual to have a live in housesitter.

However, when we lived in Boston it was fairly common to have someone stay in your house when you were on vacation to bring in the mail, feed the cats, whatever.

If I wanted to do it, I would let people at my church or any local clubs or service organizations know I was available.

You might start with dog walking or pet sitting to build a reputation for honesty and reliability. Sometimes older people will be hired to be at home for deliveries, furniture repairmen, cable installers, etc.

In a resort area, you could work as a mother's helper or personal assistant as a way of generating leads, though nytraveler is right about working for the uberwealthy. Town and Country magazine, available at most public libraries, used to have staff agency ads in the back.

But many of them already have family offices to manage their money and take care of their houses, planes, and boats, so it wouldn't necessarily be an easy nut to crack.

A really good house/dog sitter is important.
We have a dogsitter who we know and she's in demand for her services. She doesn't charge much because she lives with roomates and likes to get away.

I've often thought it would be nice to have friends who want to vacation in my city come.

You might put the word out withing your group of relatives and friends that you'd be willing to "vacation" somewhere if they pay the airfare.

I meant to also add, there are sitter services around my city and they seem to go by word of mouth.

Googling them might help give you an idea of what their qualifications are.

The way you ask the question it sounds like you dont live in the US or are thinking you can do this as a way of having a vacation. That's more a house swap. Msot people who want a house sitter want someone who's familiar with the area.

It was only a matter of time until the spammers showed up.

Do not patronize anyone who spams. They are not honest.