Photo by Evan Sklar
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Finding the Freebies
By Judith Reitman, January & February 2006
Housesitting’s popularity has spawned a cottage industry of websites advertising diverse opportunities, from villas in Tuscany to ranches in the western United States. Here are some Web resources to help you get started
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The Caretaker Gazette
A Texas-based e-list, also available by snail mail, that includes about 150 international caretaking availabilities and caretaker ads per issue, many in the United States. Homeowners pay to place ads; prospective caretakers pay a subscription fee.
Subscription: $29.95/one year (six issues); $49.95/two years; $69.95/three years.
HouseCarers
An Australian site that provides extensive international listings by city and country in a detailed database, which offers a registry of house sitter profiles, instant notification of new opportunities, articles, and a sample housesitting agreement. Homeowners advertise for free, but house sitters must join to apply for housesits.
Subscription: $32/one year.
Housesit World
An Australia-based international directory that is accessed by country. House sitters pay a membership fee to place a profile and location preferences; homeowners advertise for free.
Subscription: $40/one year.
SabbaticalHomes
A site that posts several hundred availabilities worldwide for academics on sabbatical. There is no membership. Homeowners pay $25 to post properties (nonacademics, $45); house sitters post their ads for free.
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