AVAILABLE for JULY & AUGUST *** Responsible, Trustworthy, Cat-Loving Couple available for Free Housesitting in Ajijic/Chapala Area

[Sheila]

**UPDATE** We have assignments through the end of June but DUE TO A CHANGE OF OWNER PLANS WE ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR JULY AND AUGUST. Please contact us if you would like to meet us or talk via phone about your sitting needs. Thank you!

I'm including the original post we made in April below, and with updates in BLUE, for an offer of free house or cat-sitting services in exchange for a place for my partner & I to finish writing our book, before we continue cycling south toward Argentina. Since posting the message below we had accepted sitting assignments through the end of August. However, a home owner has had an unexpected change of plans so we are now available for the months of July and August. Read on to learn more about us and let us know if we can help you out. :-)

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Extremely Responsible, Trustworthy, Cat-Loving Couple available for Free Housesitting in Ajijic/Chapala Area

My husband and I are in our 40's, from Vermont, USA, and while fulfilling a long-time dream of bicycling around the world, we found our way to Lake Chapala. We’ve stopped here to take a break from the road, to write an eBook. We’ve been enjoying living/renting in Ajijic and Chapala since September so we know the area well.

During our stay here we’ve rescued two cats and found them forever homes (you may remember our postings on this forum about the cats). Currently, we are very happily house-sitting and caring for two cats (one of the cats we rescued) while the owners are away. We live full-time and rent-free in their home and have access to a quiet, private place to write our book while providing an almost-constant presence in the home - both good for their cats and for their peace of mind. We clean the home regularly (obsessively, really – it’s our nature), greet the gardener weekly and provide our own food & drinks. We are low-energy users and work mostly outdoors, on the patio, during the day. It seems to be a win-win for everyone involved.

(We have accepted assignments since this original assignment and are currently house-sitting till the end of June. We are happy to provide references for the sitting assignments we've since completed.)

If you have a need for a similar arrangement over the coming weeks or months, please feel free to contact us. We are available after the 25^th of April till whenever 1st of July through the end of August (and might also consider sitting for part of September, if needed). We will be in this area until we finish our book, which could take up to another few months or more (our current goal is to complete the book by the end of August).

More About Us

I (Sheila) am a former IT technician and network administrator, currently a website designer, writer and photographer and my partner (Kai) is a former airline pilot, currently a writer and a photographer. We have worked in the non-profit sector for most of our careers. As we travel we offer our experience & skills to non-profit organizations in exchange for learning about other cultures and building valuable new skill sets.

We have met and become friends with many others in Ajijic and Chapala and can provide a list of references from both full-time residents/ex-pats and landlords, if necessary. We can also provide current and past house-sitting references.

We own and manage our own duplex back in Vermont and do all of our own work so we understand and are extremely respectful of the concerns and needs of homeowners. We're sociable folks and love getting to know new people but we're not in to partying. We’re non-smokers. Sheila loves gardens and is willing to water and care for plants. We’re flexible on dates if given enough notice.

We'd be happy to answer any other questions and/or would be willing to meet you to see if we'd be a good fit for your house-sitting needs. Please PM me to exchange information and to set up a time to talk with us, if you're interested.

[Aquaponicsman]

I'm not a couple, not very responsible, don't like cats but I am very trustworthy!

1 out of 4 ain't bad. If you strike out, let me know.

[klm]

I sent you a PM.

[privado]

I'm not a couple, not very responsible, don't like cats but I am very trustworthy!

1 out of 4 ain't bad. If you strike out, let me know.

I'm with you-When it Sounds to good to be True- Beware!!- My pets now go to a boarding house and are well cared for-

No more House Sitters Unless they are paying RENT- with a big deposit.

[bennie]

why would a house sitter pay rent?? its a job, they themselves sometimes charge a fee. what you describe is a "tenent"! a sub-letter.

[privado]

why would a house sitter pay rent?? its a job, they themselves sometimes charge a fee. what you describe is a "tenent"! a sub-letter.

This concept prevalent pretty much only in the Chapala area of Mexico is ridiculous, I was Stupid to fall prey to the idea and suffered 3 Terrible home and pet disasters- costing $$$ and extreme stress.

Learned that ONLY A FOOL would give their home away for months for FREE-

Rent can be discounted for the care of a pet- Deposits returned when property and pets are left in good condition -

Pet sitters are like buying lottery tickets-Please spare us your wonderful pet sitting stories-""Ä Fool and his money are soon parted"" and maybe your pets as well.

[bennie]

privado, i never had a housesitter, but i understand your concept. i suppose the way to go is to rent the luxery property for a low price, in exchange for running the house. i kind of did that for a long time friend, i paid 1/2 of his rent, my job was to send him his mail. that was it. he could have gotton double for the apt, but prefered to have someone he knew, & some expenses paid. i enjoyed being there, & it worked. (no pets). with any strange "house sitter" its best to talk on phone extensively, then meet in person. its the feeling you get from the sitter, that is the most important. i think this couple above has a websight, i dont know them. the site was nice, no hype, no selling.

[privado]

Web sites??? Gotta be kidding- Miss the News - WEB SITES & FORUMS can be extremely dangerous

Craigslist- which started in my home area San Francisco years ago was very useful 8or 9 yrs ago- trade services

advertise things for sale , hire help etc

now famous all over the world for the CRAIGSLIST MURDERERS ,Rapists and Burglars-

who come to your home when you advertise on the forum

When you rent a home you have free access to everything and You pay a Deposit to the owner- which is refunded if you leave home in good condition --------Why would you not do this with a House Sitter??

People advertising themselves to LIVE IN YOUR HOUSE FOR FREE always sound to good to be true!

If you engage a house sitter and don't get a Big Deposit from them- You 're making a big mistake!

Lots of posts about the Home Robber in Villa Nova -who might be a gringo-- drives a Grey SUV- Could have been Your House Sitter or Your Neighbors House Sitter at one time---now knows everything about the neighborhood--

[Mrbeardog]

We met Kai and Sheila when we adopted a stray cat that they found in our neighborhood. We became friends and then asked them to house sit and take care of our two cats when we went back to the States in April. They took incredible care of our house and our cats. They are a very friendly, interesting couple who are what they say they are. If you would like any more information feel free to PM me.

[Sheila]

Thanks so much for the online reference Mrbeardog! We loved your peaceful home and sitting for those kitties (and we miss snuggling with them).

I appreciate everyone sharing their opinions and experiences here. I want to follow up on a few things regarding us and our offer and on what, exactly, house or pet-sitting is so that there isn't any confusion.

First of all, we do not offer our services without references. Personally, if we were considering utilizing a service of anyone, whether it be re-tiling a bathroom or house-sitting, we would ask around about other people's experiences and check their references before hiring them. We suggest anyone who considers us do the same. We have references of people who we've met while living here, of landlords who we've rented from while in the area and of previous owners of pets and homes that we have provided sitting services for.

Secondly, we will not house or pet sit for anyone without meeting them first and discussing in detail what their needs and expectations are, to make sure we all agree to terms. And, if they have pets, we also require that we meet and spend time with the pets before accepting the assignment. We require that pet food, toys, medications, instructions and emergency care contacts are provided to us, as well as contacts for neighbors, local numbers for emergency services and the travel phone numbers and emails of the owners so that we can respond appropriately to anything that might come up while they are away. We want to be shown where services are in the home, as well as to be given instructions on how to shut them off in case of an emergency. We offer regular email, video and/or phone updates while people are away (if they want to receive them). We are always willing to consider and negotiate the terms based upon the needs of the homeowners. In short, we provide the service we would want for our own home and pets back in Vermont.

About Housesitting vs. Renting --- Housesitting is used successfully throughout the world by many people and is different from renting in that house or pet-sitters perform specific duties you prescribe while you're away - house or pet-sitters are providing a service to you. Many housesitting organizations require you pay a fee and many housesitters charge for their services. We are not charging because we receive our income from other means and because we feel it's a mutually beneficial relationship - we receive accommodations to do our online work and finish our book and you have someone to take care of the home, your pets, your plants, your mail, your cleaning, to greet any people who might regularly service your home, and whatever else you might need us to tend to. Many people would rather hire house-sitters than rent if they are only going to be gone for a few weeks or months, rather than let their home sit empty or have to pay property management folks to try to find short-term renters. Many people have pets and might want to have a constant, loving presence around them rather than to have someone stop in briefly once a day to feed them or to rely on a gardener or maid or neighbor to check in on them. For many, it provides peace of mind. Here are some reasons why many consider utilizing house-sitters:

Avoid the hassle of renting your home.

• No hiring of property managers or real estate agents.
• No packing. Your possessions stay in place.
• No forwarding mail.
• No storage expenses.
• No disappointment when you return. You select a house sitter who agrees to your terms.

Avoid extra expenditures

• No need to hire pool service, house-cleaners or pet boarders. Your sitter handles these services in exchange for their free accommodations.

Avoid imposing on your friends and family.

• No reason to request sporadic visits to care for your home and pets.

Avoid putting unnecessary stress upon pets.

• No sporadic care for your pets.
• No stressful change of scenery for your pets - they stay in their home where they are comfortable and safe.
• No reason to worry about them being alone while you're away.

Avoid becoming a crime statistic.

• Deter a home burglary by maintaining a presence in the home and a lived-in look.

Lastly, we understand that some people have had bad experiences with house or pet-sitting. We're really sorry to hear about your bad experiences. It doesn't sound like you're in need of or that you desire our services. However,countless others have had good experiences with us and with house-sitting and may be in need of our services. We (and others) feel we have the experience as homeowners and pet-owners to offer exceptional care for pets and homes.

With all that said, if anyone is in need of sitting services and would like to meet us to discuss your needs, please feel free to contact us. Thanks! :-)

[bennie]

privado, the websight i am refering too is NOT a house sit service advertisment. the couple had a site prior to coming here, about their travels by cycle, & the book they are writting. they took time off to travel & write. they reminded me of my brother when he was younger. i personally felt i could relate to these people. im no fool. but i do see your point, thats why i myself never had a sitter. most sitters ARE b.s. -most "sitters" "services" passing thru ajijic are unsavory. you are correct on that point.

[catalystrose]

I have been a house and pet sitter in the US intermittently for 15 years, while working from home on the computer and phone as a Life Coach and Entrepreneur. I did it for free for the first few years because i took all pets but dogs, so it didn't tie me down as much. Then i got feedback that people were suspicious because i WASN'T charging! This is a HUGE business now in the states! Individuals and agencies are getting paid very well to provide this service.

Now i get from $15-40 a day (this is low to mid priced) to live in great houses, sometimes with food included and other gifts or tips. I have many repeat clients because i do an extraordinary job, clean like a professional, have a green thumb and go above and beyond what's required. I've never paid "rent" or a deposit and have maintained 15 acre estates in MT with livestock for a total of 10 months to fancy Persian cats in city condos and all kinds of domestic pets and livestock, as well as cared for every type of plant and garden. I've handled broken appliances where food would have gone bad in the freezer or pipes would have frozen, met with and paid repair or maintenance people for home and yard work, revived dying house plants and renewed failing gardens, collected and forwarded mail or paid bills, ran errands for the home owners, emailed my clients regularly and sent photos of their pets who went on great "field trips" as well as got to stay in the comfort and security of their own environment with their owner's smells and belongings around. I've also been there to nurture ill animals, give meds and shots, force feed ones who had refused to eat and even took responsibility for a cat with cancer for 3 months who died on my watch and i walked acres to find him in a field so i could i bury him in the yard.

I let people make me an offer of what they can afford and pay at least half before they leave. Most pay in advance because i give them a list of 20 sterling references and have a 20 page website about my professional work and bio info, as well as a background check clearance. I certainly have heard nightmare stories about other sitters doing a terrible job but not of theft of damage to property, and i've had my share of dealing with problematic home owners and pets who i regretted taking on, so it works both ways.

I agree that having someone sit who is from another city or country and just passing through would make me hesitate.

I am relocating to the area by Fall of 2013. I think asking a deposit is reasonable and i would be willing to sit in Lake Chapala for free in order to get settled there. I probably will not drive and will arrive with only suit cases of clothes, etc. I've sat for a couple here in San Diego who are part-time residents of Ajijic and they have a best friend there who is a realtor and rental agent who has heard a lot about my professional work that i've been offering to her friend here, for FREE, because that's the kind of person i am. So please keep me in mind for any opportunities in the next 6 months, or a small furnished rental. I have many unique, great skills i can barter with too. My contact info is at my website removed by moderator

I have a Google phone # 858-432-3258 that is not listed , and Skype #.

Muchas Gracias! Sophia Rose of Catalyst Resources

[court0503]

Kai and Sheila are currently taking care of my home and they have my strongest recommendation. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.