I do everything the same as this as my sit appications also fill 5 fast….EXCEPT I do set multiple video chats asap as close as possible. That they have 40 x 5* reviews looks so appealing but means nothing if we are not a mutual match. If along the scheduled video chats I find someone that seems a perfect match, I offer the sit at the end of the call and once we confirm formally, I then cancel the others not to waste their time. If i have a video chat with someone and they seem “ok” i thank them, let them know I have x more video chats by X time and will advise asap. I now understand and recognize when it feels “right” and offer the sit immediately when I find the sitter for me. I do this as expeditiously as I can to respect all involved. If a sitter applicant is offended that I say “thanks for your time, I’ve got a couple other video chats, will let you know asap” then we are not a fit. If a sitter gets another sit during the delay on my part, that’s ok too.
As someone else said here already, I also decline asap the applicants not meeting my specified listing requirements, usually with a reason. No reason is given if they are a family or have a pet as my Sit specifies that is not a fit for me.
On my last posted Housesit, I had a LESSON LEARNED .
I did a videochat, I liked the applicant a lot, they had something like 17-5* reviews, BUT I had another videochat right after them with someone with 40-5* sits. So i asked for a couple hours to do to one more scheduled videochat. That 40-5* sitter and I were not a match from my view. I went back to the prior applicant within an hour to offer them the sit, thankfully they still wanted my sit. I will no longer let the 40 reviews influence me when I actually like another applicant BEFORE I get to their videochat. More DOESN’T = Better.
As a HO with OR without knowing the context of “your side” I would decline ANYONE who recently earned 2-1* reviews no matter how many good ones were before this. If someone had 40-5* and the last 2 were 1*,DECLINE from me. I would assume there is something unfortunate occuring in the sitters life that I am not comfortable part taking in, Good luck as you rebuild.
My advice AFTER you really hone in on a great sitter profile (I suggest you link it here or make new post for feedback), make a very tailored application note. Here is my very first note for my very first house sit application (I just switched to Dual Membership from being a HO for a year). I feel fortunate that we landed the sit during the videochat. It takes place next month!! So excited to do our very 1st housesit.
Hello X. Tarzan and I were so excited to find a (xyz location) sit! We have been THS homeowners for just over a year and recently added the dual membership. We are a retired professional couple looking to explore and have pet love all at once.
We have been to (your city) one time and loved it so much. We would be honored to take care of sweet (ANIMAL NAME), she’s a beautiful calico. I have one kitty in my life currently (and a dog), and in the last two years have lost two of my older kitties. Tarzan is a super handy guy so no worries about your home. I maintain a nectar feeder at our house and love to see the hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and bats at night visiting so no problem there. I’m also happy to tend to your flowers or garden as needed. We would drive to you from our house, which is about a 7.5 Hour drive. We are flexible with when you’d like for us to arrive for the handover if chosen. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for reading our profile.
Jane and Tarzan
I’ll leave you my cell number in case you prefer to text as this app can be buggy. (Cell)
Or… sitter reviews are known by hosts to offer the benefit of a doubt to sitters. So a bundle of positive reviews are quickly counterbalanced by MORE THAN 1 negative review. Hosts are, like sitters trying, to read between the lines in a world where 5 stars is considered only slightly above average.
There may be criteria that you just don’t fit, irrespective of being a thoughtful, caring sitter.
For eg I prioritise sitters with several 5* reviews who are in or have already booked flights to where I live, and preferably those with experience in SE Asia (so they know what to expect).
I do clearly outline this in my listing but I still get lots of applications from people outside those priorities. I don’t talk to all those applicants because there’s no point.
I can see it might seem discouraging but sometime there are ‘unknown unknows’ that have nothing to do with you, so try not to take it personally.
I am a home owner and as soon as an application comes in I look at the sitters’ profile and if they seem to be what I am looking for, I ask for a video call. So far I have never declined after the call, but I always ask during the call if it’s also a yes from their side and it’s also never been a no.
Applications from people who don’t fit my requirements, which I clearly state in my listing (no pets, no children, people over 40) are declined instantly without personal message. Others, who aren’t invited for a video chat will be declined first personally, then by automatical messages from THS as soon as I confirm the chosen sitter(s).
What is important to me is that applicants have read my listing and refer to something in it, which shows that they have read it. I don’t need to be told about their experience, because before I invite someone to the video call, I read their profile and reviews.
If the applicants match my requirements I go by gut feeling and I have never been wrong.
So there’s actually nothing an applicant can do wrong as long as they meet my requirements. After that it’s just luck if I like your profile. Sometimes you like someone just by looking at their picture and sometimes you don’t. It’s as simple as that. I need to be able to imagine the applicants in my bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. If I can’t do that it’s a no.
@EvSharp Don’t take declines personally. HOs can only accept one sitter. If they get 5 amazing applicants they can still only pick one. Not being that one doesn’t mean there was anything wrong with your application, it just means they went with someone else. I have over 65 reviews and I still get declined. Sometimes it’s an auto decline with no message and sometimes they send a nice message saying they went with someone else this time, but liked my application and profile and hope to have me sit in the future. I’m US based and I would say I get most of the US sits I apply for, not all, but a high percentage. But I do have a higher decline rate for sits in Europe (except the UK). I’ve had people say they prefer someone who lives in Europe or speaks the local language which is completely understandable. But I still managed to confirm two sits in Switzerland for this summer and have a call set up for a potential sit in Paris. You just have to keep applying, make your application and profile as strong as possible, and don’t worry about declines.
Most owners just pick the first person who looks decent and has good reviews. I usually don’t have time to interview everyone if I get five applications in an hour. If your profile is already solid, it’s probably just a timing issue.
Agree, it’s not personal and not predictable when I get declined! But I do archive it so I won’t accept future sits from HOs if they don’t send a quick note with the decline. Hard pass..
We simply connect better with older people. We’re in our 60s and even though there are many very reliable young people, we find that older folks don’t need to do and see as much as younger ones do. They aren’t about and around as often. It’s not that we didn’t have younger sitters, but overall we were more happy with those past 40.
The requirement was more important when our two older cats were still alive. They had to have medications at specific times and we wanted people who could handle this even when the cats were sometimes a bit difficult. Most older sitters have more experience and patience, trying different angles. I know I am generalizing now. It certainly depends on the video call. There are of course also unsuitable older people…but we haven’t met any yet.
Also we do have a very old house, which has its quirks and people who own or owned houses have more experience to solve problems if there are any.
I see some sits saying “fido doesn’t like to be on his own at night” well as older sitters we are never out all night, usually in bed by 9.30. We no longer want to do big days of sightseeing so a nice wander with a dog or snuggling with a cat or two for half a day works well for us. It really does depend on the motivation of the sitter. Having said that I know 2 younger travelling sitter couples who miss their pets very much, so it is a chance to get that furry love for them.
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. We no longer want to do big days of sightseeing so a nice wander with a dog or snuggling with a cat or two for half a day works well for us. It really does depend on the motivation of the sitter. Having said that I know 2 younger travelling sitter couples who miss their pets very much, so it is a chance to get that furry love for them.