Property Caretaking

To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu

Subject: Property Caretaking

From: Gary Dunn <garydunn@pullman.com>

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 1995 19:15:37 -0800

[The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] If you, or someone you know, ever need a property caretaker, we can help. You can run a free help-wanted ad (up to 50 words) in THE CARETAKER GAZETTE. I've prepared some info below on the property caretaking field. Please let me know if I can help answer any property caretaking questions you might have. Take care, Gary Dunn, Publisher, THE CARETAKER GAZETTE. (garydunn@pullman.com) What is a caretaker? >> >>For those who are not involved in the profession, the word "caretaker" may >>have numerous meanings. But for the growing number of people who are >>dedicated to the caretaking profession and land stewardship, a caretaker is >a property caretaker: a person hired by a landowner to care for his or her >property in exchange for compensation. >> >>What is land stewardship? >> >>Land stewardship is the concept of caring for land to ensure that it >remains intact and productive for future generations. Caretakers act as land >stewards when their responsibilities include preservation and maintenance >activities. To quote Wendell Berry, author of The Unsettling of America, >"The care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, >our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to >foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope." >> >>Is caretaking a new profession? >> >>No, it's actually a very old profession,rooted in the British tradition of >>land maintenance. In 1868 The Times of London defined a caretaker as "a >>person put in charge of a farm from which the tenant has been evicted." >>Today, that definition has been expanded to cover a multitude of >>landowner/caretaker relationships. The number and diversity of these >>relationships has increased during the past decade. As more and more >>landowners hire caretakers to watch over their property, the caretaking >>profession continues to grow in popularity. >> >>Who hires caretakers? >> >>Many different types of property owners hire caretakers. Landowners, large >>and small, individuals or institutions, can benefit by utilizing the >>services of a qualified caretaker. Farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, >estates, camps, parks, lodges, and nature preserves all employ caretakers. >> >>What skills and experience are required for caretaking? >> >>While many landowners seek experienced caretakers with specific skills >(e.g. maintenance, farming, ranching or animal husbandry) others are willing >to take on and train people with general backgrounds. As with most other >occupations, such traits as honesty, common sense, and flexibility are key >prerequisites. For caretakers who live and work alone on the property of an >absentee landowner, the ability to function independently and fulfill one's >responsibilities without daily guidance and instruction from the landowner >are important qualifications. Although a love of nature and solitude is >important, having hobbies and interests (e.g. reading, writing, painting, >photography) that can be pursued in what are often remote areas is extremely >helpful. >> >>What are the duties and responsibilities of a caretaker? >> >>The duties and responsibilities of a caretaker are as varied as the >>landowners and caretakers themselves. Caretaking can give one the >>opportunity to work in dozens of areas, among them: groundskeeping, land >>stewardship, farming, organic gardening, forestry, ranching, animal >>husbandry and fisheries. While some landowners just require a presence on >>their property, others need fences mended, snow plowed, gardens tended, >>animals cared for, and houses, roads and pastures maintained. Plumbing and >>electrical work may be part of a caretaker's duties - or the caretaker may >be responsible for hiring competent repairmen. >> >>What should one consider when applying for a caretaking position? >> >>The prudent caretaker sets out to develop a working relationship with the >>landowner, his or her prospective employer. If the landowner's goals and >>philosophies are stated in their advertisement, prospective caretakers >>should consider whether these are in harmony with their own beliefs. While >>skill and experience are important, most landowners are initially concerned >with character references. When answering an ad, a neatly prepared resume >should be accompanied by photographs of oneself (and family, if applicable) >and references. Landowners often request a personal letter, where the >prospective caretaker discusses such things as interests, goals and reasons >for desiring a caretaking position. It is helpful to be as open and honest >as possible. Information regarding any special skills or interests should >also be included. >> >>What should a landowner look for when hiring a caretaker? >> >>A detailed, well-written ad is an important first step toward finding a >>qualified caretaker. You should be honest about both the situation and >>compensation offered. The philosophy and goals of the landowner should be >>stated up-front. This can help alleviate ideological clashes or conflicts. >>In addition to the standard resume and references, landowners find it >>helpful to request a personal letter from the prospective caretaker. >> >>Are there any financial benefits for landowners who hire caretakers? >> >>Putting their property in the hands of a qualified caretaker can free >>landowners from the responsibility of day-to-day maintenance. This >>arrangement can enable them to increase their profits in the long run. A >>caretaker who lives on the property ensures that it is kept in good >>condition, secure from vandalism, theft and maintenance problems. He or she >also makes any necessary improvements or repairs so that the property always >remains in top condition. Having a qualified caretaker on one's property >gives the landowner time to pursue other interests or employment. >> >>Can caretaking provide any special opportunities for travelers? >> >>Inveterate travelers have discovered that caretaking enables them to live >>and work in a variety of interesting locales - both in the U.S. and abroad. >Positions may be for the long or short-term, seasonal or year-round. Many >newcomers to the caretaking field have been lifelong travelers. Most are >motivated by the desire to live a simple, rural life or explore another >culture in depth. Caretaking offers travelers the opportunity to become a >part of a community and experience life as the locals live it. Travelers can >caretake resort properties during off-seasons, enjoying the use of the >grounds and facilities. For travelers who are considering a move to another >geographic area, caretaking allows them to experience life in a new location >prior to spending time, money and energy relocating there. >> >>Can full or part-time RVers find employment as caretakers? >> >>Yes. Many RVers are discovering that caretaking is a challenging and >>fulfilling occupation. It enables them to take some time off the road, >>settle down for a period of time, and enjoy life in another location. It's >>an economical way to live as site and utility hookups are provided by the >>landowner. RVers are often in demand by landowners whose properties do not >>have separate housing for caretakers. Because RVers have their own housing >>with them, they require only hookups. While some campgrounds that hire >RVers as caretakers require light duties, others are simply in need of >>"site-sitters." In both situations, there is plenty of leisure time to >enjoy the property and its amenities. RVers can also find employment as >caretakers on properties of landowners who travel. In this instance, it is >important to maintain the property and make it appear occupied. Seasonal or >short-term positions permit RVers to maintain their free-wheeling lifestyle. >> >>Is caretaking suitable for retirees? >> >>Yes. In fact, many landowners specifically request "mature" or "retired" >>individuals or couples when placing their ads. Retirees bring with them a >>wealth of skills and experience that can be readily used when caretaking >>property. Landowners like the fact that many retirees have a second income. >>In exchange for caretaking responsibilities retirees are able to live >>rent-free and experience life in different geographic areas. >> >>The Caretaker Gazette publishes a caretaker profile in each issue. Here's a >>couple of condensed profiles: >> >>CARETAKER PROFILE >> >>"A Pair in Paradise . . . " - Profile of Sandra and >> Deane Maxson >>Dates of Birth: Sandra - 4/18/44 Deane - 11/3/31 >>Children: Two school-age boys at home, ages 10 and 14. >>Interests: Flower and vegetable gardening, enjoying the outdoors and, of >>course, sports. >>Quote:"We enjoy life and the early mornings are unbe- lievably great making >>the whole day illuminating." >> >>MAXSON'S PHOTO GOES HERE >>Sandra and Deane at home in the Florida tropics >> >>The Maxsons are a couple perfectly suited to each other and the lush >>semitropical ranch they caretake in south- west Florida. They are year-round >>employees on a 90,000 acre ranch which is the site of a cattle operation, >>farming, mining and hunting. There is a large hunting lodge, snuggled away >>in the midst of a forest of Telegraph Cypress on an island. Deane maintains >>each and every campsite throughout the year. He also takes care of the >>hunting blinds plus the mechanical feeders which have timers and batteries. >>The mechanical feeders are suspended from trees and need to be filled and >>checked every week. Sandra plans and organizes a number of elaborate events >>for her employer. Sandra does a lot of canning while Deane keeps up with the >>maintenance of the lodge and the citrus grove. This entails mowing the >>grounds, fertilizing, painting the decks, porches, railings, and outside >>redwood furniture. Their compensation includes a salary of $2,000 per month, >>housing, medical insurance, a two week unpaid vacation in the summer months, >>and a gratuity check in late spring after hunting season. The gratuity is >>based on the number of hunting parties that visited during that season. >>For their next caretaking position, the Maxsons are willing to relocate. >>They're interested in managing a bed and breakfast inn, a dude ranch, or >>even a farm or ranch. They don't smoke or use drugs themselves but have no >>objection to others who smoke or drink. Sandra and Deane are lucky- they're >>healthy, happy, and have found the right environment and occupation to enjoy >>life. >>CARETAKER PROFILE >> >>"A Caretaker with Many 'Bush' Stories" - A Profile of Mike Peterson >>Date of Birth: 5/15/51 >>Interests: Building sailing ship models, creative writing, reading, and TV >>production. >>Quote: "If I have a wish for mankind, it is that everyone, everywhere, could >>spend an hour in the calm, quiet evening, and be wrapped in the northern >>lights. I think peace would follow." >> >>Mike Peterson is a very versatile guy. After growing up on a farm in >>Wisconsin, spending some time in college, doing a Navy hitch, and getting >>married, he set off on the railroad to become a locomotive engineer. After >>12 years on the railroad, and a divorce, he traveled the "lower 48" for >>several years then settled in Alaska. He's been there for seven years. For >>the past five years, Mike has been the winter caretaker at Valhalla Lodge, >>located on a remote lake in western Alaska. Valhalla Lodge is one of >>Alaska's premiere fishing and hunting lodges. It was built for those who >>truly appreciate the great outdoors. People from all over the world make the >>trip to experience a real wilderness paradise. The only access to the lodge >>is by plane, using either floats in the summer or skis when the lake is >>frozen. Once Mike arrives at Valhalla Lodge, he's alone for the next seven >>months, except for Bandit, the company dog. His duties are to "be there," >>and make sure the lodge and all its belongings are still there when the >>fishing season starts the next spring. If something breaks, he fixes it. >>When it snows, he cleans the wings of the four planes parked there. Other >>than that, Mike may do nothing for long periods of time. He's paid $300 per >>month, plus a $1,000 bonus at the end of the season. Mike says "that's OK >>for a single guy with no bills." The two most common questions people ask >>Mike are, "Have you seen the movie, The Shining?" (which he has several >>times) and, "How can you stand to be out there all by yourself for so long?" >>His reply to that question is, "How can you stand to go out every morning in >>the dark, in the cold, shovel off your car, hope it starts, so you can play >>'bumper cars' to get to a job you probably do not like, where you don't >>make enough money, so you can pay rent on a place you're probably not crazy >>about anyway." On mornings like that, Mike just makes another pot of coffee, >>puts his feet up on the table, and watches all of Good Morning America on >>RATNET (Rural Alaska Television Network). As he sits at his table watching >>it get light outside, he can observe a line of caribou crossing the ice, or >>a couple of moose walking along the lake's shore. He once watched a fox dig >>up a frozen salmon that had washed up in the fall, then observed as a group >>of ravens drove off the fox and started to pick at the salmon; finally, an >>eagle dropped out of the sky and flew off with the prize. Many animals got >>fed from that one magnificent fish and the show was over in less than 15 >>minutes. It's things like this that make the long winters worthwhile for >>Mike. But the most amazing thing for Mike on those cold winter nights >>continues to be the sight of the northern lights overhead. If you have never >>seen them, try to imagine a shimmering translucent curtain in shades of >>almost fluorescent greens! At his latitude, instead of being low to the >>north, they spread like a silken veil straight overhead, from horizon to >>horizon. Even the snow covered landscape seems to pick up the colors and >>reflect them back. And the show gets even better. Like a great movie screen >>curtain being opened, this veil of light is constantly moving. As near as >>Mike can describe it, "It is like releasing a silk scarf that floats down, >>but never reaches the ground." Mike loves the caretaking life and it shows >>whenever you talk with him! >> >>MIKE'S PHOTO GOES HERE >> >>Mike's getting some timber to feed the wood stove! >> >>Copyright © 1995, The Caretaker Gazette. Published since 1983, the Gazette >>is a bimonthly newsletter that helps landowners and caretakers find one >>another. Subscriptions are $24 per year. The Gazette publishes about 70 >>property caretaking job opportunities, worldwide, in each issue. Caretaker >>profiles, Letters to the Editor, and employment-wanted classified ads are >>also in each issue. The Caretaker Gazette, 2380 NE Ellis Way, Suite C-16, >>Pullman, WA 99163-5303. For any questions, or for Credit Card orders, please >>call Gary Dunn, Publisher at: (509) 332-0806. (garydunn@pullman.com) >> >>BTW, if we just survived the eighties, and we're living in the nineties, what do we call the next decade? > >