My name is Charity Haworth and I live in Oregon. This is my first time using Trusted Housesitters and I’m just wondering how protocol is handled when seeking to speak directly to confirmed sitter. Do I initiate a call and leave my phone number and/or do I ask them to give me their phone number? It probably doesn’t matter but I’m a bit nervous having a complete stranger come into my home despite how nice she seems with such nice credentials backing her up.
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We are sitters and are always open to chatting with pet owners. Simply ask the sitter for a number, and set up a mutually convenient time to chat. Whether you choose a phone call or FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp, a call can be initiated by you as part of the interview process, or at any time before the sit. Best of luck!
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It is really common to have a video chat (WhatsApp/zoom etc) with your sitter before confirming the sit. This is a great opportunity to get a ‘feel’ for each other, ask any questions you may have and to introduce the sitter to your home and pet - did you do this?
If you have not done this already then I think it would be a really good thing to initiate now.
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We almost always do a video chat (usually even before confirming) and suggest that possibility in our application. But it’s also fine if you ask them for a video chat / phone call.
If we’re close enough, we also offer to visit them in person, but in any case we would usually meet the home owner before they leave.
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Hi @Charityhaworth a big welcome to TrustedHousesitters and to our community forum here.
As the very helpful @Joanne @Timmy and @Colin have said, it is super common to have either a telephone call or video chat with a sitter before a sit or even before confirming if that is what makes you more comfortable. It is completely understandable to feel nervous, especially as it’s your first time finding a sitter. Communication is your best tool in the world of housesitting to build trust (and often friendship) between yourself and your sitter and get a feel for whether you are the right match for each other.
As helpfully suggested above, simply just raise the idea with the sitter about scheduling in a call and you can find a time that works best for you both. I am sure they will be happy to speak with you and get to know more about you, your home and your wonderful pets.
All the best
Lucy and the Forum Team
I have welcomed homeowners communicating with me. Some have just messaged me via Whatsapp or some have made phone calls to me and texted me. I have even met homeowners before I do a sit. I am open to whatever the Homeowner wants and I aim for flexibililty. I am a busy mum so I appreciate flexibility with home owners. I am doing a house sit at the end of the year and the owner chatted to me over the phone and wants me to meet the dogs before hand which i am okay with.
I think having an initial call and then a call just before the sit would be best practice.