Attracting sitters to my listing. Can i get any advice if i post my listing here?

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
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Hello, I’ve used the service for 1 year now and haven’t had any problems with finding someone in the past but this time I had some issues with the messaging center. I think the problem was that my app needed an update. I’ve relisted it a couple of times to get my listing to the top. If any of you lovely people dont mind looking at my listing and giving some advice if would appreciate it. Thank you so much! Take a look at my house sit on TrustedHousesitters

(Listing link removed from post by the Forum Team as per the Community Rules, the listing link is attached in their Forum profile).

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@Kellygirl, welcome back to THS Forum. We know your part of the world. Indeed expect to be there, alas only for a brief period (shorter than your dates), mid January.
Reviewed your listing. Here’s a few ideas-

  • Home & location. Your content is fine. But consider adding information on the local area. Applicants may not be local so they may not know about airport options, travel times, local attractions. Some applicants may be concerned about expected levels of snow on roads or on property - given January in Canada - insight may allay fears. Some of this info is in Introduction section (great!)
  • Responsibilities. Your content is sweet and demonstrates a loving relationship with your cats. A housesitter may be more interested in responsibilities than history. Number/frequency/complexity of feeding. Where do they sleep? How long can they be left? Any medical conditions? Are pets or property likely to have complexities in January? Snow clearing?
  • Photos. While photos of garden/deck are lovely then reality is that they are probably not very relevant for January dates. Consider adding some photos that are seasonal appropriate; perhaps of local area & local attractions.
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I got nothing except hot tub is two words.

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Thank you for all your advice. I really appreciate it and will add to my listing based on your suggestions.

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I really like your house. It gives off “warm and inviting.” I love Siamese cats and your massage chair looks like something I would be on each evening. I don’t know why you are not getting applications except the state of the world now. I have a friend who lives in Canada. She does Workaway where people come to her from different countries. They have to stop in the US first. Maybe that is the reason. I am from the US btw.

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Well thank you for your kind words. Yes I very much agree about the sad state our world is in. Crossing my fingers that I get an offer soon. Take care.

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I like your listing. I think the cross border issue is an issue unfortunately, but the area sounds great and there hundreds of thousands of sitters so I’m imagining you’ll find someone with a car who lives a drivable distance and wants to hit the slopes and enjoy your lovely home and cats.

I don’t think you need to panic just yet as January is a while away and short term sitters might not even be looking yet. But if you did consider invites, I’d look at sitters who don’t sit full time and are located within a five hour driving radius maybe in larger cities. Why? Because those are sitters for whom this could be a lovely “getaway.” (I’m a combined member living in a big city, who often looks for sits in more rural/small town areas with outdoor recreation withing a few hours drive.)

Also curious if you get snow where you are and if cross-country skiing or snowshoeing may be closer-to-home winter options.

I’m sorry for loss and that the senior cat doesn’t want to be friends with the young ones but this seems like typical cat dynamics.y

Certainly, if you could offer a car for the sitter, that would sweeten the deal considerably, but I totally get why you wouldn’t want to do that even if were possible, and I’ll think you’ll find someone.

I would also in these uncertain times, make sure if you do have a sitter crossing into Canada, that you establish a friendship and maybe host the sitter a night or two before the start of the sit so that there is no lying to border officials and they can honestly answer they’ll be guests at your home and are staying with friends.

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