Start with referrals from people you trust and compare local home-watch services, house sitters, or property managers according to what needs attention. Agree on visit frequency, access, updates, and emergency responsibilities before you leave. You do not have to rent the house out to arrange reliable care.
Decide what looking after the house includes
List the actual jobs rather than asking someone to simply keep an eye on things. You may need mail collected, plants watered, the property checked after bad weather, or someone available when a repair company visits. Pets need a separate, explicit care arrangement rather than an assumption that property visits include pet sitting.
Decide whether someone will stay in the home or make scheduled visits. Share those expectations when asking for referrals or quotes so you compare the same service.
Find and screen someone before the trip
Ask a trusted neighbor, an owner you know, or a local real estate professional for introductions. Search for providers that specifically describe home-watch visits, house sitting, or property oversight in your neighborhood. A rental manager and a house sitter may offer very different services.
Meet the person, check references, and ask about insurance and backup coverage. Where the proposed work involves licensed real estate services, use the California Department of Real Estate to verify the responsible professional rather than relying on a website badge.1
Leave a written plan, not just a key
Agree on the visit schedule, how updates will arrive, who can authorize repairs, and a spending limit before approval is required. Include emergency contacts, access instructions, and the location of the main water shutoff. Arrange secure key handling and a backup contact in case the provider is unavailable.
Ask your insurer whether your absence changes any coverage conditions. Renting during your trip is a separate option only if it suits your plans and the property is eligible. It is not a necessary part of finding someone to watch your home.
Reference notes
General information, not individualized legal or insurance advice. Confirm the requirements for your address and proposed arrangement.
- California Department of Real Estate, Consumer Resources and License Verification.
Reviewed September 28, 2026.