If you're looking for a chance to travel the world for free then housesitting may be for you. Housesitting is a popular trend today allowing people to travel to certain destinations around the world and stay in great houses absolutely free. This is being done by companies that match homeowners and housesitters. These firms have confirmed that business is growing.

Housesitters normally gain rent-free accommodation in return for some household duties. Many homeowners do this to ensure that their homes and pets are taken care of while they are away.

Matchmaking services are now becoming more common because of a rise in second-home ownership. A new survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) say 6.8 million American homeowners now own a second home and the number is expected to reach 10 million by 2010. Baby boomers make up the biggest group of homeowners who have second homes.

Housesitting assignments may take two weeks when homeowners take their vacation or it may be seasonal. Housesitters, on the other hand, may be any type of individual but currently, typical sitters include retired couples, writers, researchers or students who can work from any place so long as there's an internet connection.

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