Our Luxury Home Sit

Sample of luxury home

Just a few kilometres north of the small hamlet of Namao, Alberta, is a dynamic series of paved roads leading to a panorama of luxury homes.

We were originally scheduled to care for a large dog at this home, but at the last minute, the owners advised us that they would be taking their pet with them. They still wanted us to manage the house – good for us and a wise decision on their part.

We feel strongly about the serious job we are performing as house and pet sitters. For one thing, the homeowner's insurance policy becomes void after the property has been vacant for 30 days.

Insurance policies offer limited coverage for vacant properties due to the increased risk of potential damage. Policy conditions vary widely but there is typically no coverage for vandalism, theft, water escape, or glass damage starting on the first day of the vacancy. After the property has been vacant for 30 days, the entire policy becomes void and there is no coverage for any damage, not even fire or windstorm. ~ http://www.brokerlink.ca/blog/vacant-properties/

We drove past a number of homes which we dubbed the rich and famous. We knew nothing of this home owner’s wealth or their celebrity status, but we imagined what income bracket they must be in to satisfy the creditor of their capacity to manage the payments on their mansion.

2016 BMW

The entrance alone of this particular place, projected opulence, and their three car garage, along with a large motorhome housed in its own Quonset Hut told of their love of materials things – big ones. We were invited into the garage to view their his-and-her motorbikes and their matching off-road all-terrain vehicles. Their massive truck is used to haul either the bikes or the ATVs to and from adventure sites. I smile at the young couple. Their run-to-town vehicle is a new sparkling BMW. 

Big White - Our home on wheels

My mind wonders to our home on wheels, or as Frank calls it, our poor man's motorhome. We’re very proud of her and its capacity to satisfy our humble needs for a place to enjoy a meal and a game of crib inside when it’s raining, and a comfortable place to sleep on our drop down Murphy Bed.

My thoughts are interrupted by Frank’s hand on my back guiding me to follow our homeowners into their household. It is extravagant without being overdone. Their decorating ideas are simple and each seating room almost looks the same because of the matching furniture.

Sample black leather sofa

“If I’m going to buy one sofa, why not buy two,” she says. They are identical pieces covered in leather. It seems that she also applies her theory to the coffee tables, end tables, TV stands, light fixtures and accent carpets.

Our hostess prepares a wonderful dinner meal and after a discussion about what tasks they expect us to do while they are away, we trot off to our assigned room. It is one of four bedrooms including the master suite, and ours has its own bathroom. We chuckle and whisper that we have a toilet in our motorhome and it is very near the bed.

Fill your heart

Home is where your heart is.

When we are caring for someone's home, we treat it with as much respect as our own. Frank tends to the outdoor chores and I perform the household tasks. For example, if we use their oven during our stay, we clean it afterward no matter its original condition. Together, on this last morning of our stay in a stranger’s house, we strip the bedding, wash it and stuff it into the dryer, fold it afterward and set it on the bed they so kindly provided us during our stay.

Pride and integrity come to mind when we look for a homeowner. We want to feel as safe, sound and secure about them in exchange for our offer.