Hosting Home While Away

[Heather1309]

I'm considering listing my personal home while I'm away for extended  trips.

Is that a thing? Any tips? I can

- put away the valuables

- make room in the closets

- pay my friend to act as local contact

- utilize a trusted housekeeper

I'm  an experienced host for a condo I Airb&b, I've just never rented my personal home.

Thanks

Heather

[Sarah977]

@Heather1309  Lots of hosts do, but personally I wouldn't. I've read several posts over time where hosts did this and cried when they returned to see the way guests had disrespected their home. Broken and missing items, forced entry into private, locked areas, etc.

I'm sure there are plenty of success stories- hosts tend to post only when they have issues, but I've had house sitters who weren't even paying to stay leave my place a disaster, so it's not something I would consider.

But it's something individual hosts have to decide for themselves. As an experienced host you may be good at vetting prospective guests, whereas the hosts who've had bad experiences may have been new  to hosting.