Although not for everyone, caretaking instead of renting is an interesting occupation. Especially during a recession, when high-end homes are hard to sell, caretaking provides needed relief for home owners and care providers alike.
What is Caretaking?
Although we like to joke that we are “homeless in a mansion,” it is not truly the case. As professional caretakers, we do not own the home we live in, but we certainly are not out on the streets. In fact, we live in luxury in a home that is way too big for our needs. If we feel homeless at all it is only when we are huddled around the wood stove trying to warm up four thousand square feet of living space.
A caretaker’s job is to keep a property nice for the owner. There are numerous types of caretaker positions. Some jobs are done for free, giving the caretaker a free place to live in return. There are also caretaker jobs with a salary. It all depends on the goals of the home owner, and the amount of work expected from the caretaker.
Why Do Owners Hire Caretakers?
It is very damaging for a home, particularly a high end home, to sit empty. Empty homes are more susceptible to thieves. During winter, mold will start growing in cold damp homes. Empty homes are apt to be invaded by mice, snakes or bugs. Having a caretaker in a home keeps it fresh, neat and clean.
High end homes that are on the market and slow to sell benefit from a good caretaker. Our job, at our current location, is to have this large home ready to show at any moment. We are living with all the previous owner’s furniture and artwork and keep everything clean, tidy, dust-free and trimmed. When prospective buyers show up (with a good warning from the realtors) they find fresh bread just out of the oven, a tray of light snacks, all the lights turned on, and the house in tip-top display condition. During the summer we manage an orchard and have a large lawn to mow and trim.
I once was a caretaker for 50 acres out in the wilderness of Idaho. We kept a large orchard, grew giant gardens, and lived in a small cottage. It was a great deal for both us and the owner of the property. We were able to live a self-sufficient lifestyle with zero costs, and she did not have to worry about her hard-to-reach property. In fact, that property is still for sale. I revisited it a few years ago and found it totally run down and broken. She never did find another good caretaker and the place is all the worse for it.
How to Find a Caretaker Position
When looking for a caretaker position, your reputation is everything. Nobody wants an unknown person living in their house. We live in a small community and know so many people personally that we are able to acquire caretaking positions from our reputation and contacts alone. If you live in a larger community you will need to assemble a good resume and references in order to acquire a caretaking position.
There are four main ways to find a caretaking position:
- Know someone. I have found all my caretaking positions from either knowing the person who owns the house, or knowing someone who knows them.
- Realtors. Contact local realtors and ask for caretaking positions. More than likely they won’t know one off the top of their head, so be prepared to leave a nice brochure so they can think about it and get back to you later.
- Advertisements. Either take out your own ad in the paper, or keep an eye out for one.
- Online. There are several sources for finding caretaking positions online; the number one source is Caretaker.org.
Caretaking is a Job
Caretaking is a lot of work, so don’t underestimate what it is going to take. As a caretaker you make an agreement with the home owner to provide a certain function. Your biggest asset is your reputation, so you can never slack on your job.
Caretaking is not for everyone. As a caretaker you really are homeless in a certain way. You have to keep in mind that you do not own the house you are living in, and never really get to relax "at home." Everything that comes up must be dealt with immediately.
Caretaking is not very relaxing, but it can be a lot of fun. In our current position we are enjoying our four thousand square foot home and keeping it clean and repaired. It will eventually sell out from under us, but we aren’t worried. Right down the street we see another place that looks like it could use a good caretaker!
Connie Delaney - Connie Delaney writes from Salmon, Idaho where she is a web designer, occasional funny girl, and Dances of Universal Peace leader.
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