Well we know one thing for sure : They love their cat !
2 Likes
Theres one that popped up today with only two photos, both of the wee dog. At least he’s wearing a hat in the cover photo.
1 Like
On the opposite scale, I just saw the most glorious sitting room photograph as the cover and the rest of the house is gorgeous. Profile reads the couple are an interior designer and an interiors photographer. Absolutely stunning.
1 Like
Oh god…after reading all these…im off to look at our listing hehehe
5 Likes
I hope it helps. 
Good point.
There are lots of really great covers. And I think there’s more debate about what could be the best one. Some loke pets, some swimming pools, a gorgeous bedroom or sitting room, garden area… But we do seem to agree that a toilet or a tile floor is not really inviting.
1 Like
Yesterday I noticed a sit with a road as the cover picture. Just the road, no garden or house beyond it. Maybe a fuller picture is visible on a different device?
3 Likes
I had not thought of that but that would explain these meaningless pictures.
1 Like
The cover photos I dislike the most are the ones out of season. For example, showing a home located in a climate where it snows a lot in winter, and the Doris scheduled for winter, but the listing says “home with beautiful pool” and the photo was obviously taken in the height of summer.
The listing photo should reflect weather conditions that are usual for the season if the sit if the home is located in an area with significant seasonal variation. It’s not really relevant that you have a beautiful green property with a large pool if it will all be covered with snow during the sit!
4 Likes
My last sit was a beautiful home, also decorated throughout as if they had interior design expertise.
I don’t remember the photos being impressive, though. Maybe they were trying to downplay, to avoid sitters picking their sit based on that. They adored their dog and really focused on her getting the best care.
In the place of hosts, I’d be likeminded — don’t oversell the home.
3 Likes
Agree. I’m also more inclined to apply for sits where the HO has suitably updated their listing with relevant photos, title and info such as “New Years sit in …” and including relevant up to date, seasonal photos and amenities, seasonal activities etc. to peak my interest.
2 Likes
Yes for some of our fabulous luxury homes that we sit at we know that the HO has purposely kept the listing more low key. Money talks, wealth whispers as they say. It’s a wise approach.
3 Likes
@Dace Christmas is in the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere
3 Likes
Just so you know for later on, it’s spelt piqued, peak is a mountain top and peek is spying on, but piqued is curiosity or showing interest. 3 words said exactly the same way but spelt differently. English language is crazy. Pique without the d means irritation hahahahaha see what I mean about crazy?
1 Like
Oh thanks for the correction @Gabba Don’t you love homophones! 
“Peak” has also evolved from its literal meaning into Gen Z slang (which isn’t usually on this forum) meaning something is really good or bad. Such as “My summer sit in Spain was peak for me! “ or “ This mischievous dog is peak stress for me at the moment”.
1 Like
Gen X used peak and peaking to mean the drugs have kicked in (in the late 80’s early 90’s) hahaha
3 Likes
First Photos seen in my searches today
A close up photo of a glass on wine on a chair …actually this did make me curious and I scrolled to the photo 
Internal tiled stairs ( maybe they’ve been reading this forum 
)
Small corridor no furniture or decorations- just the white corridor - scrolling on the next photo was a toilet ( lid up )
Close up of a rather depressing gloomy grey internal front door of an apartment with security lock. The rest of the apartment looked great and I think it’s good that the is photo is included as it makes it clear that it’s an apartment BUT not a great first photo to attract attention.
Another corridor photo.
Photo of an unmade bed / second photo another unmade bed .
and two more Toilets ( this time seat closed )
4 Likes
In my “saved searches” one of the listings has a photo of the rug in the living room as the cover picture. I mean, it’s a nice rug but…
3 Likes
Granted! But I only look at UK listings 
.
Deal breakers:
*lots of pictures of the couple who own the house. Hey I’m not sitting you I’m sitting your pets. All you’re telling me is you’re a narcissist and that’s quite off-putting
*Any blurred photos
*A close-up of your cat on the floor next to a chipped skirting board and a gritty carpet with some toenail clippings in view
*The usual much documented toilet pictures (lid up especially).
*Pictures of your front garden showing your wheelie bins and overgrown lawn.