Livin' in Mexico

Originally, House Sitting in Mexico was to be a chapter In 'Livin' In Mexico: What It Really Costs.' After all, it provides a cost benefit, it's a viable source for free housing, in return for something most of us have done all our lives. Seemed like a good fit. Although it didn't. Fit that is. House Sitting in Mexico is a fast-growing business. For some owners, the idea of leaving a property unattended long-term in some parts of Mexico could go something like this: Pedro: You know Hermano, those gringos in that very nice house over there, we haven't seen them in a long time, eh? Jose: Si Pedro, chances are they have taken the airplane back to their mansion and many servants back in their home country, where gold lies on the street for just anyone to pick up. Pedro: I'm sure you're right, and right now they are busy throwing dollars off bridges for the fish to have some spending money. But, think, for just one second, what if they are sick, in this house here, and no one has come to help them? And that's why we haven't seen them? Eh? What if that's why? Jose: This, amigo, this is why you are so well-regarded by all; you are always thinking of others. Pedro: Gracias amigo, It's just the way I am, I can't help myself. Do you have the crowbar we used to check on those other gringos last week? A nod to a truly great writer, John Steinbeck, for creating this line of reasoning among his characters in a truly wonderful book; Tortilla Flat. Forget buying this one, go read that one, if you haven't already! Those characters actually do, in a way, house sit. If only because they never paid a cent of rent. Yet another driving force behind home owners considering sitters is their market for renters is limited to seasoned expats who know how to find rentals at local rates, and as a general rule are often limited financially. The $400 or $500 monthly income, if they can get that, may be more trouble than it's worth. Occasionally, home owners will adopt local dogs or cats, but for whatever reason may not be able to take them back home. While a renter will say, 'um, no, ' a sitter will take as good care of Fluffy as the owners ever did. And Goodbye 'Potentially Homeless Animal' problem when you use a sitter. So Home owners are motivated. Sitters are motivated. It's one of those transactions that equally benefits both parties, and that's why, particularly in Mexico, house sitting is growing more in demand. This book is focused on house sitting in Mexico, but looks at offerings from both local and global sites to get a bigger picture of the house sitting world. If you live in Mexico, and especially if you're working a tight budget, house sitting should be something you become familiar with. And so this book, the fourth in the 'Livin' In Mexico' series, by Brian Burke.