Finding a house sitter
Asking someone to house sit is a good way to keep in touch with what’s happening at home. If you’re unable to find a family member, friend, or neighbor that can at least come over on a regular basis, there are professional house sitters. To find a company in your area, use the phone book or Internet to research this.
Some companies may charge for the service, while others may do it for free. In general, the thinking is that the individual gets free rent and utilities, so the house sitter will keep the property secure, clean, do yard work, and care for pets.
When hiring a company to house sit, inquire about insurance incase any valuables turn up missing. Your house insurance agency also may cover personal effects and possessions.
Either way, it’s a good idea to take precautions, just in case.
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Take photographs or videos of all expensive items. This is helpful for both the police and the insurance agency (if you have a homeowner's policy), to identify the stolen goods -
Store valuables in places or other locations that a burglar could not access. (i.e., take jewelry to a safe-deposit box, lock computers in closets, hide keys to extra cars, etc.) Be sure to remove all valuables from sight, especially if a thief looks in through your windows
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Ask for references from the individual who will be staying at your home. Call the references and ask about their experience with the individual
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For other great tips on leaving your house, view our section on “preparing your house to leave.”
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