FAQ
These questions weren't exactly asked, but we'll answer some questions that have the potential to be frequently asked.
1. Why do you want to housesit?
We are active CouchSurfing hosts and guests. We truly love experiencing new cultures by staying with families in their homes. During our long-term travels, we like to move slowly, not jumping from place to place. Rather, we stay in a few places and get to know the area and people better. Housesitting opens up that kind of experience.
2. Where do you work?
Lianne teaches English, does freelance writing, transcription, e-commerce, affiliate marketing, and is delving into digital marketing. Adam is a small business consultant, editor, and cybersecurity consultant. While traveling, we have found great enjoyment in volunteering, and while housesitting, we like to use our time to work on various projects and personal development as we're constant dabblers.
3. Do you drive?
Yes. We have clean driving records and valid US licenses, but do not own an international permit at this time.
4. Do you like animals?
Yes, of course. We love animals and have experience taking care of all kinds of friends. We enjoy being outside and going for walks, so we could handle active dogs by taking them out.
5. What do you do in your free time?
We lead simple lifestyles and enjoy being outside and active - whether it's running, hiking, or bicycling. We also like to relax by playing chess, watercolor painting, cooking vegetarian cuisine (that's Lianne, Adam does the dishes), walking to parks, listening to podcasts/audiobooks. In Korea, we were active members of the community - whether it's baking for local causes, organizing Freecycle events, hosting free art booths, writing/proofreading for the Gwangju News magazine, or co-founding the #CleanGwangju initiative together, to clean litter from our city's streets.
6. Do you do short-term or long-term housesitting?
We can do both. It depends on our travel plans and other commitments, but we are willing to do both short-term and long-term housesitting.
7. Do you smoke?
We do not.
8. Do you drink?
May have one or two beers casually but we are not partiers at all.
9. Do you charge for your services?
We are grateful to have a place to stay rent-free while traveling, so the short answer is no. If there are special circumstances, we can discuss rates. However, we do also offer additional services (unrelated to housesitting) such as pet portrait photography, websites, consulting (small business & travel), as well as proofreading and copy-editing.
10. You are strangers. How can we trust you?
Good point. We completely understand any worries you may have to leave your beloved home and pets in the hands of strangers. We have many references from our experiences CouchSurfing and being hosts ourselves. Additionally, we were recently English teachers in South Korean public elementary schools. The Korean government is very strict about foreigners working in public schools and only allow individuals with clean background checks. So, we each got an official background check by the FBI, notarization, and then an official apostille from Washington D.C, thus allowing us to work in the Korean public school system. Additionally, we served with the United States Peace Corps from 2018-2020, a government organization that requires a clean federal background check. We have done several housesits in Australia and have references. You also have the option to speak directly with them by phone or e-mail.
Also, we would love to video chat beforehand and spend some time together before you leave, if possible.
Have a question not listed here? Ask away.
We are active CouchSurfing hosts and guests. We truly love experiencing new cultures by staying with families in their homes. During our long-term travels, we like to move slowly, not jumping from place to place. Rather, we stay in a few places and get to know the area and people better. Housesitting opens up that kind of experience.
2. Where do you work?
Lianne teaches English, does freelance writing, transcription, e-commerce, affiliate marketing, and is delving into digital marketing. Adam is a small business consultant, editor, and cybersecurity consultant. While traveling, we have found great enjoyment in volunteering, and while housesitting, we like to use our time to work on various projects and personal development as we're constant dabblers.
3. Do you drive?
Yes. We have clean driving records and valid US licenses, but do not own an international permit at this time.
4. Do you like animals?
Yes, of course. We love animals and have experience taking care of all kinds of friends. We enjoy being outside and going for walks, so we could handle active dogs by taking them out.
5. What do you do in your free time?
We lead simple lifestyles and enjoy being outside and active - whether it's running, hiking, or bicycling. We also like to relax by playing chess, watercolor painting, cooking vegetarian cuisine (that's Lianne, Adam does the dishes), walking to parks, listening to podcasts/audiobooks. In Korea, we were active members of the community - whether it's baking for local causes, organizing Freecycle events, hosting free art booths, writing/proofreading for the Gwangju News magazine, or co-founding the #CleanGwangju initiative together, to clean litter from our city's streets.
6. Do you do short-term or long-term housesitting?
We can do both. It depends on our travel plans and other commitments, but we are willing to do both short-term and long-term housesitting.
7. Do you smoke?
We do not.
8. Do you drink?
May have one or two beers casually but we are not partiers at all.
9. Do you charge for your services?
We are grateful to have a place to stay rent-free while traveling, so the short answer is no. If there are special circumstances, we can discuss rates. However, we do also offer additional services (unrelated to housesitting) such as pet portrait photography, websites, consulting (small business & travel), as well as proofreading and copy-editing.
10. You are strangers. How can we trust you?
Good point. We completely understand any worries you may have to leave your beloved home and pets in the hands of strangers. We have many references from our experiences CouchSurfing and being hosts ourselves. Additionally, we were recently English teachers in South Korean public elementary schools. The Korean government is very strict about foreigners working in public schools and only allow individuals with clean background checks. So, we each got an official background check by the FBI, notarization, and then an official apostille from Washington D.C, thus allowing us to work in the Korean public school system. Additionally, we served with the United States Peace Corps from 2018-2020, a government organization that requires a clean federal background check. We have done several housesits in Australia and have references. You also have the option to speak directly with them by phone or e-mail.
Also, we would love to video chat beforehand and spend some time together before you leave, if possible.
Have a question not listed here? Ask away.
