Just picture this.!  Here's a three story home that is in the price range of between one and two million dollars.  It has a winding 12 ft wide staircase with vines growing up the handrail.  The living room encompasses three rooms.  There is the music room on one side, and then we come to a double sided fireplace and a formal dining area in the center; behind that is a full bar, then the entertainment section with everything you would want.  This magnificent room (or is it rooms) are bordered on the back with a full balcony complete with another dining set and a full living room ensemble and lazyboy.

The main balcony must be fifty to sixty feet long with the other one being approx. 30 feet in length.  Now, this lovely home is staffed with a gardner/butler and a cook/maid. They are there to help with my every whim. The larger balcony overlooks the beautiful heated swimming pool and the vine covered gazebo and the manicured grounds that are awash in colors.  I have an office with a computer and a patio with umbrella tables and an outside bar near the pool.  In my large mirrored bedroom is exercise equipment and a heated Jacuzzi that holds six people.  This wonderful home goes on and on like this. Can you every wonder why I would force myself to put up with these sorts of surroundings?  Yes, as I said in a recent article, I have a small 2 bedroom house that I use when I'm not in one of these house-sitting positions.

Let me tell you how I obtain places like this.

First, I had cards printed up stating that I house sit.

Then you beat the bricks and put these cards everywhere around town.  Actually, anyplace that you think will be beneficial to you. In general conversation, just tell folks that you house-sit.  You may have to build up to some of the ones that I stay in now, but each one will give you another reference to show. 

Be sure that when you go for the first interview that you dress conservatively.

Who are the expected vendors or visitors that are liable to stop by while they are away?  You just don't open your door to anyone, for any reason, in this area.  Because you are in a very nice home, you might be looked at as a potential victim.  How can you reach the owners, if needed in an emergency?  What are the important phone numbers.  What is the procedure if the power goes off while they are away?  Will the alarms reset themselves when the power returns or do you need to call the security people.  Do they want you to wear a cell phone during their absence?  Do they supply a cell phone?  Will they be leaving extra moneys for incidentals, if needed?  Do you have full run of the home?  Are there restricted areas?  Do you have cooking privileges.  Is there hot water? (some people turn off the hot water heater, so ask this first!!!)

Fees? I charge 50 pesos per day here in Mexico, but if there are animals, another fifty.  No snakes, or monkeys. If there is a hill that I might have to climb or hire a cab to get to the property, then the fee is 100 pesos.  You might want to sit some houses for free.  These are the basics.  Start with a medium home and, as you gain experience, go for the gold!