I saw that there was apparently a post about a house sitter that was taken down because it was thought to be slanderous. I won't use any names, but I had a house sitter that was totally awful. I imagine the other poster used this same person.
He had his girlfriend, her two sons, another woman and her baby stay at my house while I was gone. I had left him the keys to my car to use to take my gardener and housekeeper home and to use in case of any emergency. He took my car out 10 different times. I know this because our gated community keeps records of the comings and goings. The two children took my expensive bicycles out. He lied to me about who was in my house. His remark when I said I'd told him which bed he was to use, as when we returned we would be guests, he said I didn't tell him that nobody should be in the other bed in that bedroom! He finally did admit that he stayed in my bedroom, but that he'd changed the sheets. He said the girlfriend and woman with the baby stayed in the room I'd designated as "his." Right.......
When I sent him an email about the shenanigans, he told me I needed to "get over myself," that I live in a privileged bubble, and spouted on about peace and harmony. I did not pay him, as I felt he did not live up to our agreement. He used my home as a vacation spot. When my housekeeper arrived, she said the place was a wreck and that the children were running wild. So BEWARE!!!!! Anyone wanting more info can message me.
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House sitting in Panama or anywhere for that matter could be a challenge without 1st properly vetting the applicant. It's a job with important responsibility for your possessions and domicile. Credentials, proper references from someone that you could trust and possibly bonding. People will Lie and stretch the truth for relatives, friends or just to rid themselves of an extended visitor. If there is a market for such, I'm surprised that an entrepreneur hasn't responded to the challenge. When I did background checks for department new hires, the short written or casual telephone conversation for the applicant would be glowing and if I had a face to face extended interview then would the actual truth arise. I learned early on (the hard way) that the con man or woman will have their ducks all in a row. I had wondered about the availability of short to medium term house or pet sitting opportunities. I'd also recoment that any and all arrangement be in writing with limits and responsibilities clearly listed and defined. In my private life having a farm with livestock & pets to tend it is often difficult for us to ever leave for any extended time. I have gone thru several house sitters for various reasons. I allow them to stay, eat our food, use the Internet, cable TV and at least straighten up after themselves. For this service I also pay in dollars what I think is generous for the actual work involved. Usually their situations change and I have to search for new applicants. I feel that it is Insurance for what could happen if no one was responsible while we were absent, Do not let this one situation prohibit you from leaving and enjoying life when the opportunity arises. Good Luck
Susan,
Mellisa says hi. We both work for the same college. I'm moving to Panama on March 31st. Hopefully I can meet you and your husband. I talked with Mellisa last evening at a basketball game. I gave her my contact info. So, I'll be in David/Boquete area on April 1st!!!
House Sitting on a Motorcycle
eh?
I had a Canadian house guest that stole a doughnut and a turtleneck.
People house sit all over the world -- my daughter and her husband house sat for 2 years in Australia while saving up to buy their own property without having to live with relatives. I've house sat both here and in the U.S. People also swap their houses with other families to visit other countries in order to save on expenses. Not everyone is as rotten as you make them out to be.
What a sorry life you must leave if you're afraid of everyone and every situation. I feel so sorry for you as your life has turned you into what appears to be a very bitter old man.
No one will be permitted to forget the simple fact that juan is the smartest guy in the room .... perhaps the smartest human being that has ever or will ever exist in the entire universe, known and unknown.
We let a complete stranger housesit and take care of a member of our family...our dog. She came highly recommended by many community members as well as with a local charity organization who knew her well. She was wonderful and has since become a very good friend of the famiily.
People do the same thing in the US everyday. They make decisions based on recommendations and referrals. And, yes, this includes house/pet sitters.
I think the "duh" at the end of this statement is not necessary and completely changes the tone of the comment to make it really not nice.
Well, duh back to you....he had been at a friend's house for 3 weeks and she'd had no complaints. This friend also knew his mother who vouched for him. The difference was that when he stayed at my friend's house, my friend's elderly in-law was there and her regular Panamanian employees were there each day. He didn't have an opportunity to wreak havoc there because there were too many eyes on him. He knew at my house that my cats only speak in meows. I had exchanged emails with him, and he can certainly form lovely sentences. Yes, I was duped, as I don't apparently possess the intelligence that Johnny does. That is the reason I'm trying to prevent others from falling into the trap that I did. I don't need to be chastised; I did that to myself.
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