My House Sitting Guide is LIVE on Amazon

The Mermaid's Guide To House Sitting is LIVE on Amazon.com and available for purchase. Woooo hoooo!! Partay!!

Did I ever think this day would arrive?

I didn't really think about the end goal of getting my book on selling platforms. I continued to drop my ego, be patient, and always had the attitude of NEVER GIVE UP.

Why did I even think I could write this little guide?

One day, I just got it in my head that I was doing something that was so out - of - the - ordinary, with fun and freedom attached...and thought other people might want to know how to do it, as well. We all know what passion feels like, and that was my motivation to push on, not really knowing where it was leading.

Did I get help since I never thought of myself as a writer?

You bet I did! I had the idea of writing a How To ebook, on the back burner, for a couple of years. I got plenty of help along the way and wasn't afraid to ask for it. Starting with a great coach, Vic Johnson. He has many ebooks online. I used his expertise, as my foundation and referenced his books (one in particular) throughout the entire process. I hired an editor and graphics designer (a resource from Vic's book), and hired a gal (resourced from Smashwords), to convert my manuscript to an online format. Every one of this wonderful souls got me to my end goal..

So here I am..

If anyone wants to 'talk story', about any part of this post, just leave a comment or drop me an email @themermaidhousesitter@gmail.com

Aloha

House Sitting is Fun

The whole idea behind house sitting, is the fact that it's cruise. Once the homeowner has thanked you, closed the door and left you in charge, the peace and nurturing begins. This is the easy part!

Securing the house sit, takes the most amount of effort and targeting. That involves marketing offline and online, networking, local advertising (free), interviewing and selling yourself. Once you make a contact with, a hopefully new client, you really have to bring your A game and your most genuine self.

House sitting is fun! That's one of the hireasons I love it so much. But you won't see me sitting in front of a computer for hours on end..not fun. I can do 2 hours tops...usually with a pre coffee to really power out for the two hours. Anything after that, my back hurts, my bum falls asleep, and I get annoyed.

I also have to make time for The Swim so can't be on the computer all day. That happens everyday and I love it! I'm lucky, in that my house sits, for the most part, are a skip and a jump, from the beach.

Blogging is another fun part of house sitting but I'm not a fanatic about it. I will take my time to let people get to know me. I know that everything worthwhile takes patience and time.

5 Steps to Becoming a Paid House Sitter

For whatever reason, transitions such as job loss, divorce, saving for retirement, natural disasters, or just wanting a change of pace, you would like to be paid for your services.

The fundamentals of being a paid house sitter, are the same, as those using house sitting as a trade for accomodation.

Here's the 5 first steps to becoming a paid house sitter:

1. Take on a couple of house sits for someone you know..to test the waters. This is very important as you will learn if you have the attributes for house sitting. You will be alone most of the time. Hopefully, you love animals as they may be sleeping with you. Are you feeling comfortable in a home that is not yours? You are responsible for keeping the place clean and picked up. This really is the only way to know if you have what it takes and if you will like it.

2. Do your research. Go online and you will see there is a community of house sitters and homeowners looking for each other. It is endless. Once you have done this, you will know more or less, if house sitting may be something that would work for you and meet your needs at this time in your life.

3. Put yourself out there as a house sitter. Start letting people know you want to house sit. Tell everyone you know. Word of mouth is the best! Put an ad on Craigslist in your area. My book is full of the how to's for posting an effective ad on Craiglist.

4. Sit down and work the numbers..make it a win/win for both you and the homeowners. Be confident in you and the service you provide. Know that what you do is a valuable service. People who call will be asking you what you charge so be ready with an answer that works for you both.

5. Be ready for calls..know yourself and your limits. You will get many characters calling you with different situations and not every call will work for you. There are many aspects of house sitting. Trust your instincts! The little voice knows best!

I hope this helps in getting you started..my guide book is filled with the details..this is only a preview..

I'm busy...doing whatever I like

Once my responsibilites are taken care of, I have the freedom to do... whatever suits my fancy.

One of the wonderful perks (freedom) of house sitting, is setting it up to be a glorious vacation. The homeowners encourage you to do so. You can pick and choose your house sits. Make sure you choose the ones you really, really want.

Since most of my house sits come with some adorable pets, I want to make sure they are well taken care of before I go gallavanting. That involves feeding the animals, cleaning a litter box, walking the dog, and just being around for the morning routine. If there's any watering to do, that is taken care of also.

Once your pets have been secured, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend:

* jumping into the ocean (you may have a water dog who would like to play with you)

* taking a class

* seeing the sights

* riding a bike

* going to that restaurant you've been hearing about

* meeting up with a friend in the area

It's the "free spirit" in me that is being filled up.

The Holidays are a Busy Time for House Sitters

Today is the second day of my beautiful house sit on the North Shore of Kauai. My pet companions are a sweet, 14 year old cocker spaniel and a huge kitty. This is a Mainecoon and the most beautiful cat I've ever seen...I've seen a lot of cats. My homeowners are wonderful people and very generous.

I knew it would be a busy time because I've kept a timeline of my house sits. For me, October through January is very busy. People start the holiday vacationing around October. Basically, my house sits are back to back with either an overlap of a day or so or a few days between each. It's a good idea for you to keep a timeline. That way you will know when you will be able to take some time off for yourself. Although, I consider house sitting as a fun vacation for me, I like the periods when I don't have to think about anything except when my next swim will be.

I will be here for the holiday through the beginning of January. The weather is cool and clear with a bit of trade winds. I always like to make short term goals for each house sit. It's a fun and motivating way to get things done, knowing you have a end date or you could call it a deadline. For this one, I plan on making headway with my book. To pay my person, who will be converting the book to electronic form and get ready for the next phase which will be to get it onto selling platforms. Woo-hoo!

Well, It's Confirmed! I'm a Mermaid Princess

My house sits always amaze me.  Each one is different but equaling satisfying.  This house sit really is a Castle Beach House one block from the ocean.  I can watch the early Sunrises as I make my morning coffee.  The popular walk/bike path is nestled up against the sweet picket fence so plenty of motivation to get out and join the other fitness minded folks.  I have access to a bike so everyday, I hop onto my bike and ride along the coast.  Today, there was a monk seal peacefully resting on the sand.

Isn't it lucky for me, I not only have another house sit of my dreams but also the company of two fabulous dogs and a talkative African Gray Parrot?   My dogs, Tucson and Toto are avid walkers and love the path as much as I do.  As the sun sets and the kite boarders are gliding by,  l enjoy my nourishing dinner of cajun grilled ahi (fresh tuna) over grilled veggies.  It has been a warm and perfect day.  Such is my life.

House Sitting Can Spoil You! Oh No! Not That!

Oh my gosh!  I'm getting so spoiled.  A majority of my house sits are a stone's throw from the beach.  So when I have to get in my car and drive 10 minutes to the beach, I get a little cranky.  I know!  It's pretty pathetic.  Have a beautiful day!