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House Sitters

lingililingili - 4-8-2008 at 03:55 PM

Just got off the http://www.housesitmexico.com/homeowners-directory.php
Wondering if any Nomads have used this service or know of anyone who has? Any tips or comments would be greatly appreciated.

bajajudy - 4-8-2008 at 04:22 PM

We used to get house sitters if we were gone for over a week but finally decided that it was better to just close up the house and find someone to water and feed the birds. Gypsies in the palace, dont you know. One guy ran up a huge telephone bill. Another, although we left strict instructions not to smoke in the house and definitely not in Jim's office, was sitting at jims desk when we came home a day early puffing away. Yes it hit the fan. I would never trust anyone to watch my dogs, so they go see Tia Monica at Cabo Kennels. They were just there this past weekend and they almost knocked me down to get inside when we got there.
Kinda got off topic on that

lingililingili - 4-8-2008 at 04:29 PM

Bajajudy: Curious as to how you found house sitters and if some were good, or all bad experiences? Thank you

shari - 4-9-2008 at 09:02 AM

We have had great sucess finding house sitters right here in Nomadlandia...it's great because usually other nomads know and can vouch for them...we got lots of responses and could choose the appropriate candidate...worked out great for us...so try it!

rhintransit - 4-9-2008 at 10:32 AM

here's a housesitter's perspective...I would never list myself on a website to obtain a position. as someone highly qualified, extremely reliable, and with good references (which I'm sure is what those sites tout) I wouldn't need to for a position in Mexico.

you need to ask around far in advance of when you need a sitter, interview carefully, trust your gut (rather than your need), and check him/her out thoroughly. ask what he/she expects from the situation, as well as being very clear what you need. go see where he/she is living now if possible. check references. your best bet is someone who is also a homeowner and enjoys the privilege of trying new locations and has his/her own interests, not someone you find (say in a bar or elsewhere) who NEEDS a place to stay. it goes without saying that once you find someone good you treat them well, like the special person/resource they are. you may need help, sometimes at short notice, in the future.

a good housesitter should be able to speak at least middling Spanish, manage any household help you may have, LIKE, not tolerate your pets, know local plant/garden requirements, be handy enough to manage minor problems that come up and intelligent and resourceful enough to deal with any major problems that may arise in your absence. local knowledge is extremely helpful.

watching trends in housing and petty crime, I'm thinking housesitting may just become the next growth industry in Baja. be very careful to whom you trust your home and pets.

(yes, I am currently booked for the next six weeks, but will consider situations for the summer season after I enjoy some time in my own place in May and June)

bajajudy - 4-9-2008 at 11:11 AM

We had a few that were ok. As one lady said, you will never find anyone to do everything the same way you do....she was one of the good ones!
Like I said, we gave up and just lock up like we used to before we moved down here. Our house is pretty bullet proof.

vandenberg - 4-9-2008 at 11:41 AM

Roberta,
Good resume. :saint:

rhintransit - 4-9-2008 at 12:27 PM

I agree with making your place as bullet proof as you can. (that's what I do with my place in AZ, and my Baja house has great neighbors, I don't worry overmuch about it). however it isn't perfect.

two examples...

I've had to photograph an electric meter and do battle with the CFE equivalent in San Miguel Allende about an outrageous bill for one homeowner not due home for three months. and though the bilge pumps might have kept up with the gushing plumbing failure on a 45ft trawler I was watching, the water damage would have been considerable had I not been there. of course I could have easily been out grocery shopping...

every situation is different. do what makes you feel best, because there's no guarantee either way.

lingililingili - 4-9-2008 at 08:47 PM

Thanks everyone. This is tough but I think I know what we need to do now. I appreciate everyone's help.

Cardon Man - 4-11-2008 at 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit

a good housesitter should be able to speak at least middling Spanish, manage any household help you may have, LIKE, not tolerate your pets, know local plant/garden requirements, be handy enough to manage minor problems that come up and intelligent and resourceful enough to deal with any major problems that may arise in your absence. local knowledge is extremely helpful.

watching trends in housing and petty crime, I'm thinking housesitting may just become the next growth industry in Baja. be very careful to whom you trust your home and pets.

Cardon Man - 4-11-2008 at 07:23 AM

Oops! Didn't post my reply!...

Sage advice from rhintransit. My wife and I have been care taking properties in Baja for a few years now. And can say for certain that fluent Spanish is critical to solving problems and getting things done. I would list good language skills as one of the top requirements for a good Mexico house sitter. And as rhintransit also stated...local knowledge can be a great help.

Basic knowledge of plumbing and electricity is another huge plus. In my care taking experiences I've had to deal with various minor plumbing problems, hurricane damage control, solar power systems, and even desalination equipment. Knowing the nauture of these problems can save cash and keep the property owners from being taken for a ride when you do bring in help from outside.

Animal and plant care skills are another must in my opinion. That goes without saying!

rhintransit - 4-11-2008 at 07:51 AM

I must admit I just got around to scanning the actual website lingililingili referred to when starting this thread. interesting read. and interesting collection of sitter wanna be's and home owners. kinda like internet dating, I guess. anyone who has tried that will tell you that there can be HUGE discrepancies between actuality and creative fiction. some may be completely legit, some are easily discounted, most are in between when reading between the lines. there is NO substitute for a face to face interview and I still think you are better off going with someone local or with known local references.

and of course, the person who started/runs the site is doing it for profit from the ads placed and disclaims any responsibility at all.

lingililingili - 4-11-2008 at 08:10 PM

Good advice rhintransit. Thanks everybody, next fall we will give a full report on what we did and how it went.

rhintransit - 4-12-2008 at 10:39 AM

here's something else to consider, contributed by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous.
I cut and pasted his response to reading this thread:

> From what i read here and elsewhere it seems that most
> homeowners think they are doing you (the housesitter) a
> favor by letting you stay in their house “free” or
> “for just paying the utlilities” when just the opposite is
> true..How much is peace of mind worth ? How much is having
> your house maintained worth ? Nice to have someone there
> when a hurricane or chabasco hits huh ? How much is it
> worth to have everything ready when you get there so you
> can enjoy your house and not have 1000 jobs to do ?....
> what is it worth when some Mexican bureauratic FUBAR
> demands immediate attention?
>
> Ive been housesitting the same house for 3 yrs and responsibilites include providing 24 hr security,
> checking the solar system adding water to the batterys when necessary and equalizing them
> monthly. I recieve $400 a month ( i just got a raise to $600 a
> month starting in june).. included is tv with all premium
> channels like showtime, hbo, cinemax etc etc , computer
> hookup , all utilities and a quad to use...when the owners
> return i go to a hotel in town which they pay for along
> with food....
>
> I also arrange for the maids to come and clean prior to the owners return, I line up plumbers, electricians etc
> when needed, get bids on projects owners want done like
> painting or rock walls etc(and supervise the projects) , i
> start quads, dune buggys , vehicles once a month and have
> them gassed and ready to go when owners arrive , i charge
> batterys on vehicles when needed and put air in
> tires...sometimes i go to town to get diesel , gas or get
> water jugs filled for owners. pick up owners at airport and
> return to airport...For any of these things i am paid extra
> depending on what i think is fair. the owner leaves a
> $500 house kitty for me to pay for maids, gardeners,
> propane etc etc and replentish it on their visits...seems
> like there is always something to do and i keep busy....i
> am not just sitting around 24/7.....If you can afford a home in Mexico you can afford to pay someone to care for it in your absence..
$400 -$600 a month is cheap compared to what it would cost you in the states for peace of mind

DianaT - 4-12-2008 at 10:45 AM

rhintransit

Nice post. We were really surprised to find out that many people do not pay for house sitting----just can't imagine.

Diane

On edit---we may need a housesitter in Baja one of these days while we travel somewhere else. Frankly, we don't care about the house as much as we do about our two dogs, and we think their welfare is worth good money.

So for us, one requirement in a house sitter would be a love of dogs---not just tolerate, but someone who really likes dogs.

[Edited on 4-12-2008 by jdtrotter]

longlegsinlapaz - 4-12-2008 at 03:10 PM

Rhintransit, I take exception to many points in your friends’ logic for several reasons. First, I feel his is an extraordinary situation rather than the “norm” since he’s in a relatively permanent situation as opposed to short-term weekly, monthly or even 3-4 months situation. As such, he doesn’t have any need to maintain a separate residence or find & move onto another house-sitting position. He gets a free roof over his head, he’s using other the homeowners' furniture, appliances, linens, cook-wear, light bulbs, quad; the owner pays for all utilities satellite TV, internet & probably even toilet paper!

As a homeowner, I understand and appreciate what he brings to the table in the day-to-day maintenance he personally performs or oversees in dealing with maids, gardeners, plumbers, electricians etc., getting occasional bids on projects the owners want done like painting or rock walls...but, unless I misread, he gets paid extra; at his discretion; for what he deems extra above & beyond services. Granted, when they’re all lumped together like that, it does sound like a heavy load, when in reality, the majority of his responsibilities require occasional as opposed to daily attention. From my vantage point, he’s found a terrific sugar daddy who is taking care of roughly 95-98% of all his needs, expenses, entertainment & he’s having a hard time convincing me that he’s giving more than he’s receiving in return!

Yes, it is nice having the peace of mind that your place has been hurricane-proofed as much as is humanly possible; maybe once each year or two! From my perspective, that’s not worth $600 a month, 12 months a year. Not even with any other normal responsibilities that come with home ownership!

I own my own home, I live in La Paz full-time, I paid for my home, I pay the utilities, perform all the daily/weekly/monthly/annual maintenance myself; that which is beyond me, I have to hire someone else to do it; I pay for my own homeowners & vehicle insurance, license tags, maintenance & gasoline. I clean my own pool, I buy my own groceries, I pay vet bills, pay my own entertainment & internet charges. Except for the fact that I’m not on solar, I do everything he’s getting paid to do, but I also PAY FOR IT ALL MYSELF!

For your friend to have made the statement, “If you can afford a home in Mexico you can afford to pay someone to care for it in your absence”, is absolutely ludicrous! My monthly income is less than double his, and I reap all the benefits from homeownership as he does, but at the same time, I’m doing all the work & paying my own way. And ya know what…when I have an unexpected expense, I don’t have anyone but myself to fall back on for the money to cover it! Your friend isn’t playing with a full-deck if he sincerely believes that everyone who owns a home in Mexico has the financial wherewithal to pay $400-600 a month, plus incidentals, for someone to take care of their home in their absence!

This guy places a very high price on peace of mind for the homeowner, but it appears (to me) that he’s using that as justification for the even greater value he places on what he brings to the table. Of the gringo homeowners that I know, NONE of them would be able to afford half of what he’s getting either in benefits or money, let alone BOTH. I would hope that this guy realizes how rare a situation he’s found & appreciates it, rather than abusing the one-of-a-kind position he has found. IMO, he’s greedy & needs to think about the total monthly expenses he’s saving by not owning his own home & adding that amount to the wages he gets to get a closer grasp on the reality of his true monthly income; or in this case cost avoidance! Yes, he’s providing a great service & yes, I do believe good house sitters are very hard to find, but for everything he’s getting in return, I think he’s totally out of touch with the harsh reality of the typical Baja home owners' financial status.

And yes, I’ve had Mexican friends housesit for me as well as hired a highly recommended gringo housesitter once…he qualified for the “Annual Housesitter From Hell Award”. He did more damage in my 3-week absence than I experienced during Hurricane Marty! Supposedly a vegetarian, a full freezer of meats, fish & seafood & a full years worth of canned foods were gone when I got home, including 12 cans of cat food for a cat that died the second day after I left!! Then there was the issue of the marijuana joints I found around the house when I returned & the fact that he’d lit every damn decorative candle I had in the house & even ate the 15-year-old decorative popcorn in a glass decorative ornament that wasn’t even in the kitchen! And, no, I did NOT pay him the $50 balance of what I’d agreed to pay him once I discovered the drugs, property damage & empty cupboard & freezer! I believe my bad situation is probably as extraordinary as your friends’ good situation is extraordinarily rare!

IMO, this guy is as far off the mark in underestimating the true value he's receiving in his situation, as he is in overestimating the financial status of the typical gringo homeowner in Baja.

Edit typos....priceless

[Edited on 4-13-2008 by longlegsinlapaz]

lingililingili - 4-12-2008 at 03:27 PM

Longlegs: I couldn't have said it better myself. The part that really got to me was "if you can afford to live in Mexico, etc."

We are sooooooo not in the same financial league as the "friend's" employers. Does sound like a great job.

mtgoat666 - 4-12-2008 at 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit
here's something else to consider, contributed by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous.
I cut and pasted his response to reading this thread:

> From what i read here and elsewhere it seems that most
> homeowners think they are doing you (the housesitter) a
> favor by letting you stay in their house “free” or
> “for just paying the utlilities” when just the opposite is
> true..How much is peace of mind worth ? How much is having
> your house maintained worth ? Nice to have someone there
> when a hurricane or chabasco hits huh ? How much is it
> worth to have everything ready when you get there so you
> can enjoy your house and not have 1000 jobs to do ?....
> what is it worth when some Mexican bureauratic FUBAR
> demands immediate attention?
>
> Ive been housesitting the same house for 3 yrs and responsibilites include providing 24 hr security,
> checking the solar system adding water to the batterys when necessary and equalizing them
> monthly. I recieve $400 a month ( i just got a raise to $600 a
> month starting in june).. included is tv with all premium
> channels like showtime, hbo, cinemax etc etc , computer
> hookup , all utilities and a quad to use...when the owners
> return i go to a hotel in town which they pay for along
> with food....
>
> I also arrange for the maids to come and clean prior to the owners return, I line up plumbers, electricians etc
> when needed, get bids on projects owners want done like
> painting or rock walls etc(and supervise the projects) , i
> start quads, dune buggys , vehicles once a month and have
> them gassed and ready to go when owners arrive , i charge
> batterys on vehicles when needed and put air in
> tires...sometimes i go to town to get diesel , gas or get
> water jugs filled for owners. pick up owners at airport and
> return to airport...For any of these things i am paid extra
> depending on what i think is fair. the owner leaves a
> $500 house kitty for me to pay for maids, gardeners,
> propane etc etc and replentish it on their visits...seems
> like there is always something to do and i keep busy....i
> am not just sitting around 24/7.....If you can afford a home in Mexico you can afford to pay someone to care for it in your absence..
$400 -$600 a month is cheap compared to what it would cost you in the states for peace of mind

you are a caretaker, not a house sitter.
there is a difference. house sitters are not expected to be permanent caretaker positions.

house sitters are temporary sitters, just keeping the place lived in, feeding the goldfish, petting/feeding the dog and watering the plants, and not much else.

DianaT - 4-12-2008 at 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lingililingili
Longlegs: I couldn't have said it better myself. The part that really got to me was "if you can afford to live in Mexico, etc."

We are sooooooo not in the same financial league as the "friend's" employers. Does sound like a great job.

I probably should have qualified my post when I said, "Nice post." The situation was very much different than what most here are looking at. I do, however, think the pay fit THAT situation.

However, I still can't imagine not paying someone for housesitting and I know some people do not expect to pay for that service.

Longlegs,
Your sitter did deserve the Sitter From Hell Award----where did you find that jewel??

Now, since we own a home in Mexico, I need to figure out if we are rich. :lol:

Diane

mtgoat666 - 4-12-2008 at 03:36 PM

p.s. you want to leave your house for a 6-month break, then hire a caretaker, and don't expect a house sitter to do maintainance.

BMG - 4-12-2008 at 03:43 PM

"I recieve $400 a month ( i just got a raise to $600 a month starting in june).. included is tv with all premium channels like showtime, hbo, cinemax etc etc , computer hookup , all utilities and a quad to use...when the owners return i go to a hotel in town which they pay for along with food." Sweet deal you have going. Maybe some day we will get a TV at our place.

"How much is peace of mind worth?" Not sure if my mind is at peace more with a house sitter that I really barely know or just locking up the house. Can't say that I worry too much about most anything that can be replaced.

"How much is having your house maintained worth?" Not much maintenance required that I can see. It's a house, not an estate.

"Nice to have someone there when a hurricane or chabasco hits huh?" Would be nice to have the water dried up off the tile.

"I also arrange for the maids to come and clean prior to the owners return, I line up plumbers, electricians etc when needed, get bids on projects owners want done like painting or rock walls etc(and supervise the projects)." The maid, plumber and electrician? That's us. Other projects we would rather talk to the workers ourselves.

"i start quads, dune buggys , vehicles once a month and have them gassed and ready to go when owners arrive , i charge batterys on vehicles when needed and put air in tires" I suppose we can justify a lower pay scale since we have no quads - no buggys - 1 vehicle which so far hasn't needed a battery charge and the tires seem to be holding air.

"pick up owners at airport and return to airport" I can put a value on this one. Taxi is about M$150, with tip, call it M$200. Figure 1 trip to and 1 trip back from the airport per year (less often normally.) 40 bucks.

"If you can afford a home in Mexico you can afford to pay someone to care for it in your absence." I think you may be comparing apples and oranges. We live in a house, not a castle. I'm sure they are folks on this board that have multi-million dollars estates and more power to them, but that's certainly not the case for us.

rhintransit - 4-12-2008 at 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
rhintransit

Nice post. We were really surprised to find out that many people do not pay for house sitting----just can't imagine.

I figured my last post (the one from a friend regarding his housesitting/caretaking position) would get a reaction and am not much surprised at responses. as I said, the author wanted to remain anonymous, for obvious reasons, and I am sure he will have more to add. when I hear from him, I will pass the comments on to this forum. I agree his situation is unique. I know that the homeowners are quite wealthy and that that it a a million plus dollar home in a relatively isolated place. and it's not a position I'd consider, for any length of time.

iI did wonder if/when anyone would get around the the subject of remuneration. rather than make this too long at this time with my personal experiences I’ll just toss out the question..what financial arrangements have others made, either as homeowners or housesitters? I’m as surprised as Diane that many people do not pay for housesitting.

rhintransit - 4-12-2008 at 05:49 PM

sorry I didn't get my comments separated from the quote in the last post...read through the body of the 'quote' for the subsequent reply. thanks.

Paula - 4-12-2008 at 09:22 PM

We are lucky to have some nice neighbors who asked us for work when we moved in 5 years ago. We like to do most of the gardening and cleaning ourselves, but they water when we're gone and she does about 3 hours of minimal cleaning per week. I think she may be be the best paid huosekeeper in Loreto, would say what I pay her but you'll all laugh at me :lol:

When we go away for a few days we leave our dog in their care. They sleep over, watch TV, feed the dog twice a day, let him in and out, and hopefully pet him and play with him a little. We pay them 100p per day.

When we leave for 8-12 weeks during the summer we take the dog. They water, which may take about 1 hour a day, and if there is a bad storm they stay in the house because theirs leaks terribly. They mop up after, and make sure the house is reasonably clean when we return (they never know exactly when that will be). I give them 2000p when we leave, and more when we return depending on how long we are gone. It comes to about 500p per week. They also get all the food left in the frigde and freezer, 10 or so kilos of dorado and yellowtail per year, various clothing, appliances and furniture, dishes, etc as we replace things. There are Christmas and birthady gifts and bonuses for the family of 4. We get to practice our Spanish, and they get to laugh at the goofy gringos and our language skills. They are very happy with this boost to their income, and we have peace of mind.
So this works for us, and the $600 per month deal apparently works for rh's friend and his employers.

But I think the friendship and mutaul respect involved in our arrangement is priceless, a case of cultural differences?

loretohousesitter - 4-13-2008 at 07:52 AM

> TO LONG LEGS (SHORT POCKETS ) IN LA PAZ. OF COURSE I
> REALIZE THAT EVERYONE IN BAJA WITH HOMES HAVE DIFFERENT
> FINANCIAL LEVELS....IT STILL DOESNT MEAN YOU CANT PAY FOR
> SERVICES RENDERED EVEN ON SHORT TERM HOUSESITS......IF
> SOMEONE IS PROVIDING SECURITY , FEEDING PETS, WALKING PETS,
> CLEANING UP AFTER PETS, WATERING PLANTS AND HANDLING THE DAY
> IN DAY OUT PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO ARISE WITH REGULAR
> FREQUENCY HERE THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED...FYI IF A
> PERMANENT MEXICAN CARETAKER WOULD BE HIRED THE NORMAL PAY
> IS $600-$800 A MONTH ....WITH ME MY OWNERS GET EMAIL
> UPDATES AND COMMUNICATION ON PROBLEMS THAT ARISE , DETAILED
> RECORDS OF EXPENDITURES, AND SOMEONE WHO TREATS THE HOUSE AS
> IF IT WERE THERE OWN...YOU WONT GET THAT WITH A MEXICAN...MY
> HOMEOWNERS FEEL THAT AROUND $14 DOLLARS A DAY IS WELL WORTH
> THE SERVICES I PERFORM ....AND THE PEACE OF MIND I PROVIDE
> FOR THEIR BAJA INVESTMENT....OF COURSE IF YOU LIVE IN A
> PALAPA 5 MILES FROM THE BEACH I CAN UNDERSTAND
> YOUR OPINION...VS THE MILLION DOLLAR BEACH HOUSE I SIT...
>
>
>

loretohousesitter - 4-13-2008 at 08:04 AM

SEEMS TO ME YOU GUYS ARE SPLITTING HAIRS SAYING THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CARETAKER AND HOUSESITTER....THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES ARE THERE , JUST DIFFERENT LENGHTS OF TIME...THE HOUSESITTER IS DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THINGS THAT A CARETAKER WOULD (AT LEAST I WOULD BE) BUT JUST NOT ON A YEARLY BASIS AND THEY SHOULD BE PAID. ....ALL IT TAKES IS ONE TIME WHEN THE HOMEOWNER COMES BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND FINDS BROKEN DOORS OR WINDOWS AND THEN FINDS TV'S , FISHING GEAR, DIVING GEAR ,MOTORCYCLES , BOAT MOTORS, RADIOS, COMPUTERS , TOOLS, PRINTERS, MONEY, CAMERAS,BOOZE, FOOD , CLOTHES, ETC ETC ARE GONE...$400 A MONTH DOESNT SOUND LIKE MUCH WHEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF POSSESIONS HAVE BEEN STOLEN.....OR IF A HOUSESITTER STOPS A LEAK FROM A BROKEN WATER LINE THAT WOULD FLOOD THE HOUSE DESTROYING FURNITURE AND IF LEFT UNDETECTED CREATE HUGE WATER BILL...YOU ALL KNOW THAT DOWN HERE IF IT CAN HAPPEN IT WILL !! ONCE AGAIN I REITERATE MINE IS PROBABLY NOT THE NORM (SECLUDED MILLION DOLLAR BEACH HOUSE) BUT I FEEL STRONGLY THAT NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF HOUSE YOU HAVE IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO LIVE THERE AND MAINTAIN IT AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT YOU SHOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICE...

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lingililingili - 4-13-2008 at 09:11 AM

Well "Short Pockets" what a ya say to that?

This, Nomads, is what a " lingililingili" does!

rhintransit - 4-13-2008 at 09:12 AM

well I see that my friend has signed up and is posting on his own now, so I don't have to feel like I am in the middle. so all the comments under my name can now be my own.

jdtrotter...I agree, I was very surprised that many homeowners do not reimburse, in some way, monetary or otherwise, those who guard their homes and pets. I was also pretty bugged that the housesitting site that lingililingili referred to in starting this thread published some blanket assertions (such as housesitters pay for utilities) that some readers new to the concept might take as universal.

every situation is different. all my advice stands.

diane, jdtrotter...you have your priorities straight (must love my dogs!) for your situation. I'm a cat lover, adore the creatures and enjoy caring for them. dogs I can take or leave. you'd want someone different if you needed a housesitter. that's what interviews are for, to find win-win situations all around.

longlegsinlapaz...I agree, housesitterloreto has a fairly unique situation. but he does make some interesting points. maybe if the sums were different? IF I had a home like that, I couldn't think of a better, harder worker...they get value for their money. no, he does not have another residence at this time. many of us do. I pay utilities, taxes, upkeep, maintenience, etc on not one, but two homes.* would I ever pay utilities on a third to do a housesit? no. but, I DO pay someone to take care of my Mexico cat and garden when I housesit, and feel it is reasonable that I am not out of pocket to watch someone else's place. *all by myself, and on an income that falls somewhere between the two of you.

BMA, and others, I agree, apples and oranges. and as all situations are unique, take into consideration ALL that has been written here when considering a house sitter or taking such a position.

Paula...you are blessed with a great situation, and you have earned it as have the people who have earned your trust. like I said, when you find someone good, treat them well. the benefits are tremendous!

lingililingili - 4-13-2008 at 09:34 AM

Anybody?

I have a scenario for you: You hear, through friends, of some people that have a nice little house (nothing fancy) in some wonderful place like New Zealand, Austrailia, Bora Bora, La Paz, etc. and these folks are looking for someone to just stay in their house and water so they can go off on vacation somewhere. They are not going to pay you but you are thinking "I've always wanted to go there and hotel, meals in restaurants, etc. would really run alot." So here is this opportunity. 1) Do you pass it up because you are not getting paid? 2) Would it matter if it were two weeks or two months?

Never having had or been a house sitter it seems that in alot of cases this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement, if both parties checked out and agreed on things.

rhintransit - 4-13-2008 at 10:04 AM

excellent. a hypothetical question to illustrate/bring together the thread. I'm going to hold my answer for now, as I look forward to others jumping in. (I know you are out there lurking...all those views say someone is interested)

I will predict that there will be two very different sets/subsets of answers, and that I can tell 1. which come from the wanna-be housesitters and homeowners who may wanna have housesitters sometime and 2.which come from those with some experience in one capacity or the other. lingililingil is, as he/she admits, in category 1.

Quote:

Originally posted by lingililingili
Anybody?

I have a scenario for you: You hear, through friends, of some people that have a nice little house (nothing fancy) in some wonderful place like New Zealand, Austrailia, Bora Bora, La Paz, etc. and these folks are looking for someone to just stay in their house and water so they can go off on vacation somewhere. They are not going to pay you but you are thinking "I've always wanted to go there and hotel, meals in restaurants, etc. would really run alot." So here is this opportunity. 1) Do you pass it up because you are not getting paid? 2) Would it matter if it were two weeks or two months?

Never having had or been a house sitter it seems that in alot of cases this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement, if both parties checked out and agreed on things.

Another country heard from....

Natalie Ann - 4-13-2008 at 10:21 AM

First a disclaimer to state that I am not looking for house sitting positions. I simply would like to share my experience.

I house sit occasionally in the La Paz area, generally for friends or friends of friends. I love La Paz and areas south through the East Cape and have often planned a vacation around an available house sit. I come with references from folks in Baja and in the U.S. 'Sits' have been as short as two weeks and as long as 3 months.

I am a homeowner who has had and loves pets, plants, garden. I take care of other people's property as if it were my own except that I don't do windows (grin). I speak Spanish well enough to deal with regular daily interactions as well as any possible household emergencies... don't do plumbing, but do have the sense to turn off the water until arrival of the plumber whose contact info was left for me.

An available house to sit is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Baja on my tiny budget. I look for a win-win situation for all. My expenses include a RT plane ticket from the San Francisco Bay area - no small amount of money.

The contribution of the homeowner is a place to stay on my vacation. That place should include utilities - the regular amount for that time of year. If there's a tv or computer in the house, it's real nice to be allowed to use them. If not, no bother. I don't need air conditioning, but do need a good fan during the hottest months.

Household help is generally dismissed. I'm good with watering and daily pruning of small plants.... if there's a gardener for bigger jobs, he/she should continue working. Drinking water delivery is always maintained at the owner's expense.

When folks have had insurance coverage and have been able to leave a vehicle, they generally allow me to use it. I do not abuse this privilege, but find it real helpful with groceries and beach trips. I am accustomed to using the local bus system and also to bus travel on the peninsula. I enjoy spending parts of days away from the house I am sitting, and it is always great to have a home to return to.

Sometimes when I have accepted short 'sits', folks have been kind enough to offer me their casita (when they have one) for another week or two after their return.

Think that about sums it up. I think my approach to this might be unusual. It's born of a complete and utter love of Baja Sur and the desire to live there one day.

Nena

Natalie Ann - 4-13-2008 at 10:24 AM

lingililingili - You were posting your query same time as I was posting. I am an experienced house sitter and I would say yes to the situation you suggest. As I said in my post, perhaps I'm unusual. Will be interesting to see what others say.

Nena

lingililingili - 4-13-2008 at 10:26 AM

Thank you, Nena

longlegsinlapaz - 4-13-2008 at 11:26 AM

Au contraire, I'm not cheap!! I was responding to your blanket statement that everyone who could afford to have a house in Mexico could afford to pay $400-600 a month to have a housesitter in their absence. If you'll go back & reread my original post, I clearly stated that I do believe a reasonable amount is feasible & that I personally have paid a housesitter on the occasions my friends couldn't watch things for me because I took them to the states with me.

Don't assume that because my monthly retirement income is closer to $1K a month than it is $1,100 that I live in a hovel, or as you put it "a palapa 5 miles from the beach"! I've built two beachfront homes & if you're interested in seeing my actual living conditions/standard of living, the FSBO listing for my second casa can still be viewed at:

http://nvpat.com/la_paz_house/index.html

True, it's definitely not a million dollar home, nor is the view home I'm currently finishing in the hills overlooking the Bay of La Paz, but it's a far cry from "a palapa 5 miles from the beach"!

Your $600 a month income rounds up to $20 a day, not $14.

I'll be sure to tell my Mexican friends who caretake for the current owner of the first place I build & sold that his $500 mo income for non-live-in care-taking is shortchanging him by $100-300 a month, by Loreto standards! You'd be smarter if you'd learn to stop making demeaning generalized blanket statements..."YOU WONT GET THAT WITH A MEXICAN"; is not a true across-the-board statement; it's discriminatory & offensive :no:

...IMO. Don't assume that everyone on this board is of non-Mexican descent; I can guarantee that at least one poster on this thread is Mexican!

Yours is not a typical short-term housesitting situation, and I still believe that you are attempting to maximize your responsibilities, while minimizing the non-monetary benefits you reap in your situation. Not all owners are wealthy & not all housesitters/caretakers are luck enough to find a position working for the wealthy. For my income & the income level of my friends, your "peace of mind" is beyond the scope of our financial reality!

Quote:

Originally posted by loretohousesitter
> TO LONG LEGS (SHORT POCKETS ) IN LA PAZ. OF COURSE I
> REALIZE THAT EVERYONE IN BAJA WITH HOMES HAVE DIFFERENT
> FINANCIAL LEVELS....IT STILL DOESNT MEAN YOU CANT PAY FOR
> SERVICES RENDERED EVEN ON SHORT TERM HOUSESITS......IF
> SOMEONE IS PROVIDING SECURITY , FEEDING PETS, WALKING PETS,
> CLEANING UP AFTER PETS, WATERING PLANTS AND HANDLING THE DAY
> IN DAY OUT PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO ARISE WITH REGULAR
> FREQUENCY HERE THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED...FYI IF A
> PERMANENT MEXICAN CARETAKER WOULD BE HIRED THE NORMAL PAY
> IS $600-$800 A MONTH ....WITH ME MY OWNERS GET EMAIL
> UPDATES AND COMMUNICATION ON PROBLEMS THAT ARISE , DETAILED
> RECORDS OF EXPENDITURES, AND SOMEONE WHO TREATS THE HOUSE AS
> IF IT WERE THERE OWN...YOU WONT GET THAT WITH A MEXICAN...MY
> HOMEOWNERS FEEL THAT AROUND $14 DOLLARS A DAY IS WELL WORTH
> THE SERVICES I PERFORM ....AND THE PEACE OF MIND I PROVIDE
> FOR THEIR BAJA INVESTMENT....OF COURSE IF YOU LIVE IN A
> PALAPA 5 MILES FROM THE BEACH I CAN UNDERSTAND
> YOUR OPINION...VS THE MILLION DOLLAR BEACH HOUSE I SIT...

Edit...moved the little :no:

guy to where he belonged!

[Edited on 4-13-2008 by longlegsinlapaz]

longlegsinlapaz - 4-13-2008 at 11:34 AM

Nena, to my way of thinking, you are in touch with reality & understand a win/win situation! :bounce:

Natalie Ann - 4-13-2008 at 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Nena, to my way of thinking, you are in touch with reality & understand a win/win situation! :bounce:

As I said, 'tis born of a particular love of the area.

Nena

lingililingili - 4-13-2008 at 12:40 PM

Kate, We would have loved to have had you as a house sitter, however, the cats would have been a problem due to Steve's allergies. So here would have been a perfect situation except for the kittys.

redmesa - 4-13-2008 at 03:05 PM

I have had experience with using housesitters and it has sometimes meant I paid and sometimes not. It all depends on the deal arranged with the housesitters. If someone is wanting a place to stay for a few months rent free in a nice home, why not do it for free. On the other hand if I need someone to look after my home and animals for a short time and it means that a person has to give up there normal life and it means added work for them then I certainly would pay for that.

loretohousesitter - 4-14-2008 at 08:11 AM

ONCE AGAIN LONGLEGS HAS MISINTERPRETED EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID AND HAS TRIED TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE I JUST LOUNGE AROUND AND DO NOTHING TO "EARN MY KEEP"....AND ALSO I AM CURRENTLY RECIEVING EXACTLY $13.33 PER DAY. SORRY I HAD ROUNDED IT OFF TO $14.00 A DAY...THE $20 A DAY STARTS IN JUNE. HERE IS MY SCHEDULE FOR TODAY...KEEP IN MIND THAT MY OWNERS ONLY COME DOWN EVERY FEW MONTHS AND THEY ARE COMING THURS: OPEN GARAGE START TRUCK . DRIVE OVER TO OTHER GARAGE AND HOOK UP BOAT..PULL BOAT ONTO DRIVEWAY AND HAVE MEXICAN FRIEND WASH AND CLEAN THE BOAT AND TRUCK AND ALSO SWEEP OUT BOTH GARAGES. PUT BOAT BACK AND RETURN TRUCK TO OTHER GARAGE...HOOK UP BATTERY CHARGER TO BOAT BATTERYS SO THERE WILL BE NO STARTING PROBLEMS...PUT AIR IN BOAT TRAILER TIRES, CHECK SOLAR BATTERYS AND ADD WATER IF NECESSARY....START AND RUN QUADS AND GAS THEM UP...GO TO TOWN TO GET MORE GAS...INSTRUCT THE MAIDS , INSPECT WORK AND PAY THEM....THESE ARE ONLY SOME OF THE THINGS THE OWNERS DONT WANT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHEN THEY ARE ONLY HERE FOR 3 OR 4 DAYS...THEY WANT TO COME IN HAVE EVERYTHING WORKING AND CLEAN AND READY ...HAVE A GREAT TIME AND LEAVE..

.WHEN I MENTIONED THAT MEXICAN CARETAKERS I KNOW GET $600-$800 A MONTH THEY LIVE ON PROPERTY IN A PROVIDED CASITA AND HAVE UTILITIES PAID ALSO....

I AGREE WITH NINA AND RED MESA THAT IF SOMEONE OFFERS YOU THEIR HOUSE TO "SIT" AND DOESNT EXPECT YOU TO "WORK" DOING THE THINGS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE HOUSE UP AND RUNNING ITS A WIN WIN SITUATION...IF YOU HAVE TO START DEALING WITH PLUMBERS, ELECTRICIANS, PROPANE TRUCKS, GARDENERS, HOUSEKEEPERS , PETS, PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE THINGS THEN YOU SHOULD BE COMPENSATED..THE OWNERS WOULDNT ASK A MEXICAN TO DO IT FOR FREE ....

AND ON A SIDE NOTE..I AM SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF YOU THAT DO GARDENING , WATER PLANTS, SWEEP PATIOS, PAINT , DO MAINTENANCE WORK ETC ETC..IVE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU CANT DO A JOB A MEXICAN CAN DO EVEN AT YOUR OWN HOUSE...I KNOW SOMEONE THAT WAS TURNED INTO IMMIGRATION FOR SWEEPING THEIR OWN PATIO TAKING A JOB AWAY FROM A MEXICAN...I AM VERY CAREFUL TO USE MEXICAN WORKERS WHEREVER I CAN.....ANY COMMENTS OR INFO ???

AND AS TO MY REMARK THAT "YOU WONT GET THAT WITH A MEXICAN" I SIMPLY MEANT THAT NONE OF THE MEXICANS I KNOW HAVE A COMPUTER ..I SHOULD HAVE PUT THAT SENTENCE A FEW LINES ABOVE AFTER MY COMPUTER REMARKS...SORRY ABOUT THAT...
AGAIN I MAKE THE POINT MINE IS NOT THE NORMAL SITUATION....MY MAIN POINT BEING AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR LEVEL OF INCOME IS , NO MATTER WHERE YOUR HOUSE IS IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO LIVE THERE AND MAINTAIN IT TO YOUR STANDARDS THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED....SEEMS MOST AGREE EVEN LONGLEGS AS HE HAS MENTIONED HE HAS PAID BEFORE....

lingililingili - 4-14-2008 at 08:18 AM

"AND ON A SIDE NOTE..I AM SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF YOU THAT DO GARDENING , WATER PLANTS, SWEEP PATIOS, PAINT , DO MAINTENANCE WORK ETC ETC..IVE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU CANT DO A JOB A MEXICAN CAN DO EVEN AT YOUR OWN HOUSE...I KNOW SOMEONE THAT WAS TURNED INTO IMMIGRATION FOR SWEEPING THEIR OWN PATIO TAKING A JOB AWAY FROM A MEXICAN...I AM VERY CAREFUL TO USE MEXICAN WORKERS WHEREVER I CAN.....ANY COMMENTS OR INFO ???"

What?????????

elizabeth - 4-14-2008 at 09:15 AM

Interesting thread, but Loretohousitter, could you please stop shouting? My guess is that you don't know that all caps is considered shouting, or you wouldn't do it.

And...you're wrong about sweeping your own house. Follow that one to the next step...does that mean you can't barbeque your own dinner...or catch your own fish????

bajalou - 4-14-2008 at 09:17 AM

One question, loretohousesitter, Do you have the proper endorsements to your FM3 or 2 to allow you to work in Mexico? If so, what specifically do they allow you to do? Even a supervisor is required to have a work permit unless it's one's own property.

vandenberg - 4-14-2008 at 09:52 AM

Bajalou,
Love first sentence in your signature :biggrin:

Applies to a lot of people. :rolleyes:

loretohousesitter - 4-14-2008 at 02:04 PM

HI ELIZABETH,,,I AM NOT SHOUTING...ITS EASIER FOR ME TO READ WITH CAPS...WHO MAKES UP THOSE RULES ANYWAY ?????

lingililingili - 4-14-2008 at 02:04 PM

bajalou, I believe you have hit a nerve!

elizabeth - 4-14-2008 at 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loretohousesitter
HI ELIZABETH,,,I AM NOT SHOUTING...ITS EASIER FOR ME TO READ WITH CAPS...WHO MAKES UP THOSE RULES ANYWAY ?????

Generally speaking the "rules" are known by those who spend time on the internet, and it is called shouting when someone uses only caps...so, you are shouting to others. I don't make up the rules. It is harder for others to read when it is all caps...I made the assumption that you just weren't aware of generally accepted e-mail protocol...if I figured you just did it for your own convenience I wouldn't have mentioned it.

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loretohousesitter
.WHO MAKES UP THOSE RULES ANYWAY ?????

Optometrists. They want you to strain your eyes on little, teeny print.

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7
"Dennis, use ctrl-+" is more shapely than "DENNIS, USE CTRL-+".

Thanks Kate.......My vision is fine. I've been lasered.

I see fine but can't spell worth .... .

[Edited on 4-14-2008 by DENNIS]

BMG - 4-14-2008 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7

...Dennis... shapely

Is that a 1st? Not sure I've ever seen that term used in reference to Dennis or DENNIS.

A few other descriptive terms, but 'shapely'?

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 04:31 PM

I am. I am SHAPELY.

BMG - 4-14-2008 at 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

I am. I am SHAPELY.

O.K., then so am I!

Round is a shape!!

longlegsinlapaz - 4-14-2008 at 04:39 PM

loretohousesitter, where did I say you "just lounge around & do nothing to 'earn your keep' "??? If I thought that, you'd have read the actual words "you probably just sit around all day eating bon-bons & watching soaps." What I said is that "you're attempting to maximize your responsibilities, while minimizing the non-monetary benefits you reap in your situation."

If you can't/don't/won't understand those words, feel free to ask for clarification.

You've gotten mis-information. It IS legal for a gringo holding an FM3 (or equivalent resident document) to do work on their own property (even if that particular skill-set is available locally), it is illegal for them to go to someone else's house & do work for or with the owner. If you "know someone who was turned in for sweeping their own patio", I'd be willing to bet that you didn't get the WHOLE STORY! Or the TRUTH of why they were "turned in" when all was said & done. La Paz Immigration has jurisdiction over Loreto & those guys aren't dummies! If someone walked in & attempted to register a complaint against someone for "sweeping their own patio" they'd get laughed right out the door! It's more likely that your friend/acquaintance was turned in for something they chose not to share & came up with a bogus "reason" for having been turned in. Like maybe he was on his own patio sweeping up the residue of last night's coke party...or any other illegal activity, which Immigration WOULD take as a serious infraction...but sweeping his own patio ain't the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth!

If you read Nena's post & came away believing that she just stays in the house & does nothing towards maintenance or upkeep, you need to go back & read it again. Nena said she DOES maintain the premises as if they were her own & DOES take care of the house & does do light gardening & takes care of pets....she just doesn't do windows! So she's not sitting around eating bon-bons & watching soaps all day either! Plus she pays her own airfare!!

In closing, I'm certain you work your burro off all day every day for all the cash & cost-avoidance benefits you receive, and I'm certain you employer sincerely appreciates it; they MUST since you're getting a 50% salary increase in June.

And for the record....I'm a she, not a he! :rolleyes:

Don Alley - 4-14-2008 at 05:02 PM

(Cue up music: Theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies")

Well, golly gee, just mosied on in from the pal-apa...warshed the boat, put some ear in the tars, checked the battry... gitten ready to goes out a fishin tomara...

Now I read that some a them thar folks done hard sumun to har sumun to warsh there boat. Dang, and the the gardnins and waterins too, like theys ain't hobbies.

I been doins all them things my lonesome, and ya know, I don't feel no ways tard.

And I knows how ta use the shift key.

elizabeth - 4-14-2008 at 06:02 PM

Don, be careful...I wouldn't want to see you arrested and deported for washing your boat.

loretohousesitter - 4-14-2008 at 06:33 PM

DEAR LONGLEGS...I WOULD ANSWER SOME OF YOUR PREPOSTEROUS ASSUMPTIONS BUT GOSH SEEING HOW YOU KNOW EVERYTHING I WOULD JUST BE SPINNING MY WHEELS..THANKS FOR STRAIGHTENING ME OUT ON EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW .....BESIDES I AM TO BUSY EATING BON BONS AND WATCHING TV...OH YES AND BEING AN INTERNET PROTOCOL REBEL BY TYPING IN CAPS....

loretohousesitter - 4-14-2008 at 06:40 PM

HI ELIZABETH...
NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHO MAKES UP THE INTERNET RULES SO I GUESS I WILL MAKE ONE UP.....FROM NOW ON TYPING IN LOWER CASE LETTERS IS RUDE AND OFFENSIVE AND HARD TO READ....NOW ALL OF YOU FOLLOW THE NEW RULE LIKE A HERD OF LEMMINGS BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID SO................LOL.....

Natalie Ann - 4-14-2008 at 06:42 PM

Something about the tone of loretohousesitter's posts seems familiar. Don't suppose he's related to our friend gnukid?

Nena

Santiago - 4-14-2008 at 07:09 PM

NA from Berkeley: Bingo.

I just moved Don Alley to my top 5 posters.

longlegsinlapaz - 4-14-2008 at 07:15 PM

If you can QUOTE where I said you you sit around & eat bon-bons & watch TV all day, in a rational, honest & logical manner, I might post to this thread again. What I said was IF I THOUGHT THAT (yes, I'm YELLING!) was how you spent your time, then that's what I WOULD HAVE SAID in my first post.

If the "know it all comment" was in response to my comments about the person you know who was "turned in for sweeping their own patio", then you must have missed several other posts which either said or implied what I said...granted without my hypothetical possibility for a situation where Immigration would pursue a report of someone sweeping their own patio...but it has been stated several times! You're going to choose what you want to believe, just as you choose to read what you want to see as opposed to the words which actually appear on your monitor!

I'm going to go talk with the wall now! :spingrin:

vandenberg - 4-14-2008 at 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann
Something about the tone of loretohousesitter's posts seems familiar. Don't suppose he's related to our friend gnukid?

Nena

Ahhh... maybe he/she is just a little put out by all this laboring. Surprised he/she can find time for the computer.
Old Gnukid didn't get his dander up this easy.
This one is a great addition to the board.

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
This one is a great addition to the board.

Yeah...This has been fun. It's really been dead around here lately.

elizabeth - 4-14-2008 at 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loretohousesitter
HI ELIZABETH...
NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHO MAKES UP THE INTERNET RULES SO I GUESS I WILL MAKE ONE UP.....FROM NOW ON TYPING IN LOWER CASE LETTERS IS RUDE AND OFFENSIVE AND HARD TO READ....NOW ALL OF YOU FOLLOW THE NEW RULE LIKE A HERD OF LEMMINGS BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID SO................LOL.....

I thought Morgaine explained quite well, and rationally, why caps are a problem. Are you always this rude and arrogant...that you think that a long time honored protocol that makes it easier for people to read, is something you can ignore or change...or is it this website that brings it out?

When given the choice of believing that someone's behavior is based on just not knowing or based on maliciousness or arrogance, I always start out assuming it's lack of knowledge or experience. Sometimes I'm wrong.

BTW...I didn't believe the sweeping anecdote for one minute either. Did I miss the part where you answered Bajalou's question?

longlegsinlapaz - 4-14-2008 at 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Bajalou,
Love first sentence in your signature :biggrin:

Applies to a lot of people. :rolleyes:

Vandenberg, uh oh! Was I included in "a lot of people"?

Actually BOTH of Lou's quotes suit this thread! :lol:

Paula - 4-14-2008 at 08:09 PM

I agree with Dennis-- this is a great thread! I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with a clever contribution.

Housesitter brings to mind a poster from a while back, had some hassles in northern Baja with his rehab clinic or something... who WAS that guy again?

And might the Loreto homeowners come back to find their place taken over by the CULT OF THE CAPLOCKED??

Stay tuned......

vandenberg - 4-14-2008 at 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Bajalou,
Love first sentence in your signature :biggrin:

Applies to a lot of people. :rolleyes:

Vandenberg, uh oh! Was I included in "a lot of people"?

Actually BOTH of Lou's quotes suit this thread! :lol:

No wasn't meant for you. :biggrin:

However..... if the shoe fits.........and all that swinging sh*t.... :lol:

DENNIS - 4-14-2008 at 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula

Housesitter brings to mind a poster from a while back, had some hassles in northern Baja with his rehab clinic or something... who WAS that guy again?

Stay tuned......

Doc T and Sackmaster? Oh yeah...That was fun too.

BMG - 4-14-2008 at 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lingililingili

Just got off the http://www.housesitmexico.com/homeowners-directory.php
Wondering if any Nomads have used this service or know of anyone who has?

I'm gonna take a wild stab at this and say the answer to the original question is "no".

Quote:

Originally posted by lingililingili

Any tips or comments would be greatly appreciated.

We better be careful about what we ask for.

Paula - 4-14-2008 at 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula

Housesitter brings to mind a poster from a while back, had some hassles in northern Baja with his rehab clinic or something... who WAS that guy again?

Stay tuned......

Doc T and Sackmaster? Oh yeah...That was fun too.

Yup, that's the guy(s)! Thanks, Dennis. Come to think of it Doc T was way wierd, maybe I'm being too hard on the housesitter :?:

vandenberg - 4-14-2008 at 09:03 PM

Quote:

maybe I'm being too hard on the housesitter :?:

Paula,
And here for a while I thought it was you. :biggrin:

rhintransit - 4-14-2008 at 09:05 PM

Quote:

back to ingililingili’s questions. I’d hoped for more input before I responded, but as someone else said, the board’s been a little dull lately and this thread has sparked things up. thanks to those who did respond (to the questions). Natalie Ann, you sound like a housesitter to treasure..

okay, here are my simple (?) answers. remember neither Natalie Ann nor I are looking for a position now, unless, say, you have a ‘nice little house, (nothing fancy) in a grand arrondissement in Paris....

“if both parties checked out and agreed on things” covers a whole lot, a whopping lot of territory, but assuming that I had had answered to my complete satisfaction every question I would/could ask of any potential situation/and vice versa for the homeowner I’d say: 1. no, I’d consider it I might not accept the position but i would consider it. one factor, for example, would be if it is something I can look forward to and plan for or if is it something I have to turn my life upside down to accomodate the homeowner, in which case, the answer would be, yes, I would turn it down if I weren’t adequately compensated. another might be, say, is the timing such that no wonder the homeowner doesn't want to be around, ie La Paz in August and September? 2.. no, but I guess I’d prefer longer if I were headed to another continent or incurring a large expense to get there.

I do think it’s a bit of a stretch to compare Austrailia, New Zealand and Bora Bora to La Paz, or, as I assume we are talking about, Baja Mexico. apple, oranges, cherries, avocados AND peaches. there are loads of places I would not consider in all of the named sites, including some in Baja, including housesitterloreto's. someone local, or someone well acquainted with the area, and definitely someone who speaks the language (by the way I don’t speak French...) and knows local customs, etc is still your best bet for a housesitter. housesitting IS a job and a huge responsibility, not just a chance for a minivacation.

Paula - 4-14-2008 at 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
maybe I'm being too hard on the housesitter :?:

Paula,
And here for a while I thought it was you. :biggrin:

BMG - 4-14-2008 at 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit

“if both parties checked out and agreed on things” covers a whole lot, a whopping lot of territory, but assuming that I had had answered to my complete satisfaction every question I would/could ask of any potential situation/and vice versa for the homeowner

Maybe not being as thorough as you will cause some problems. We'll see.

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit

is the timing such that no wonder the homeowner doesn't want to be around, ie La Paz in August and September?

We certainly aren't hiding the fact (to possible housesitters) that we would rather be on our boat in the SF Bay Area during the hot months in Baja, but lots of people will be around La Paz that entire time period. Seems like it's a matter of finding someone with the desire to be in La Paz during that time period and wants a cheap place to stay.

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit

I do think it’s a bit of a stretch to compare Austrailia, New Zealand and Bora Bora to La Paz, or, as I assume we are talking about, Baja Mexico.

Not really, well, maybe Bora Bora. Hard to beat that lagoon. Much of the other 2 countries are, in my mind, less desirable than La Paz.

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit

housesitting IS a job and a huge responsibility, not just a chance for a minivacation.

AH HA! I think this might be the whole argument! We are not looking at this as if it's a job and we don't want someone in here that is thinking of it as such. Certainly we expect someone to take care of the place while they're here, but that's mostly clean up after themselves. I believe the house would be just fine simply locked up but we have found someone to stay in it while we're gone. I guess this story will end in October with.....the rest of the story!

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7

All is not lost. Some of us are arranging housesitting gigs as a result of this.

Bora Bora?

rhintransit - 4-15-2008 at 06:35 AM

hi, BMG, those were just MY answers to lingililingili's questions. I certainly didn't mean to present them as any authority on the subject. I gather you have engaged a housesitter, checked him/her out and vice versa, and that the plans work for you/him or her. as I've said all along, that's the bottom line and all that counts.

BMG - 4-15-2008 at 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhintransit

hi, BMG, those were just MY answers to lingililingili's questions. I certainly didn't mean to present them as any authority on the subject. I gather you have engaged a housesitter, checked him/her out and vice versa, and that the plans work for you/him or her. as I've said all along, that's the bottom line and all that counts.

Not sure there is an authority on this subject. :lol:

We do appreciate the various opinions on housesitting and it has been an interesting thread.

We are going to have a trial run the next 10 days with the housesitter while we visit with Ana's Dad in CD Obregon.

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7

So we're still on for your place?
I speak fluent French, so you'll have to throw in the airfare, mon vieux. :biggrin:

Airfare? No way. Start swimming.

bajamigo - 4-15-2008 at 08:11 AM

Don't know, Nena, but it appears as if the meds ARE NOT WORKING (ooops, caps lock got stuck).

Natalie Ann - 4-15-2008 at 08:17 AM

Whose meds, Bajamigo????
I believe mine are working just fine these last days.

Nena

bajamigo - 4-15-2008 at 08:24 AM

Make me say it..........lo-sitter

Gadget - 4-15-2008 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

I want and could do your job. Been a Residential remodeling contractor for 20 years. Feel like slowing down, but not ready to retire. When / where do I start?

OOPS! Now there's a lesson learned. Don't post a reply after only reading the end of a thread. Had not idea I was in colusion with the stuck cap lock heretic. My bad.

[Edited on 4-16-2008 by Gadget]

Gadget - 4-15-2008 at 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elizabeth

Quote:

I'm just not reading his posts. It does freak out my eyes.

loretohousesitter - 4-16-2008 at 12:28 PM

YES I GET RUDE AND ARROGANT (ALSO BORED) WHEN I HAVE TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION OVER AND OVER TO PEOPLE THAT DONT KNOW HOW TO READ , OR COMPREHEND WHEN ASKED A QUESTION ? ONCE AGAIN , WHO MAKES UP THE RULES ABOUT CAPS ??? WITH YOUR LOGIC...BILLBOARDS SHOULD BE TINY, SIGNS ON THE SIDES OF BUSSES SHOULD BE TINY, HOUSE FOR SALE SIGNS SHOULD BE TINY..ETC ETC....THEY ARE BIG BECAUSE THEY ARE EASIER TO READ !!!!! DUH !! I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR THE 1 OR 2 OF YOU THAT LET OTHER PEOPLE DICTATE TO YOU HOW YOU SHOULD TYPE...NEXT THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO TYPE...BAA-BAA ...SO SAD....

Gadget - 4-16-2008 at 12:50 PM

Too bad. The guy seems like he may have some real knowledge to add to the the board. Newbie may not make 25 posts at this rate.

bajalou - 4-16-2008 at 12:59 PM

loretohousesitter - did I miss your answer to my question as to your legal status in Mexico to be employed to do the jobs you state your are performing?

vandenberg - 4-16-2008 at 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gadget
Too bad. The guy seems like he may have some real knowledge to add to the the board. Newbie may not make 25 posts at this rate.

Sure,
Not to many of you Nomads could hire/fire a maid and wash and fuel a boat/car/truck etc. And chew gum at the same time. :?:

. Takes talent and like Don stated " Gits Ye Tard " :biggrin:

And typing those " BIG " letters is no cinch either. :no:

[Edited on 4-16-2008 by vandenberg]

I'M NOT SCREAMING!!!!!!!!!!! although it looks like it.

Lee - 4-16-2008 at 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loretohousesitter
YES I GET RUDE AND ARROGANT (ALSO BORED) WHEN I HAVE TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION OVER AND OVER TO PEOPLE THAT DONT KNOW HOW TO READ...... BAA-BAA ...SO SAD....

I support your right to TYPE IN CAPS OR NOT AT ALL. IN FACT I LIKE TYPING IN CAPS BECAUSE IT'S ALSO EASIER FOR ME TO READ -- AND THIS AFTER INCREASING THE STRENGTH OF MY READING GLASSES YESTERDAY. PEOPLE HERE WILL ADJUST AND DEAL WITH IT. YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TYPING IN CAPS OR lower case letters. On the other hand, rude and arrogant posts in response to the slowness of Nomad's adjusting to ''new'' type comes across as defensive. Are you trying to get people to respond to your posts, or drive people away, or plss them off first, before driving them away? Read's like you live a charmed life. Share the Aloha.