Exactly, Maggie…you’re spot on, in my opinion (as usual)! I have only been on 4 sits so far, and the very first one I picked was a disaster. I had no idea how to screen a prospective host and found myself in a miserable situation! What really bothered me was the way she misrepresented her dogs ( ie not potty trained & reactive to other dogs and the odd person so walks were not pleasant with me apologizing to people we passed). What I did wrong was not pay attention to the arrogant and demanding tone of her post, it was full of rules, which could’ve been my first tip off. Also, no video call was a big mistake. Her demeanor was cold and she seemed self absorbed when we did meet. I could have figured her out with a video call. Lesson learned. Ever since then, I’m like you. I am quick to pass on signs of entitlement and mistrust…they’re out there for sure. On the last video call I didn’t feel comfortable and didn’t know why, but I passed. You have to click. Maggie, it is absolutely a partnership and you’ve been successful because of your common sense understanding of this, I think. Good for you! I’ve had better luck since then by being careful to pay close attention to the parameters you’ve listed, and it’s worked out.
That seems the case. I usually leave review leaning more positive although sometimes that is not what the ho does. The house that I sat with most clutter and stale veggies in fridge left for me which I did not use. HO left me 3 star review stating I could have dusted.
HO here who hasn’t started yet. But, I wouldn’t think twice about the ding in your rating if it didn’t match the tone of your other reviews, which apparently it doesn’t. That HO was just off. Hope these great replies help ease your mind.
Currently on sit No. 70 and I so feel with you!! I just wanted to say: thank you for the post, and good to know that we are not alone feeling like that!
Pics b4 n after cleaning. Silly that we should stress over a free service. Im sorry about your negative reviews.
This may not help you here, but I always look through reviews that owners do before I apply. If they are the unreasonable, Nitpicky type, we don’t apply for the sit.
I know what you mean though, it feels like every little thing that can break off or go wrong on a sit, does.
One of our last sits, on the morning we had to leave, I used one of the dishwasher detergents and the whole thing bubbled up and flooded all over the kitchen. I was just cleaning and cleaning and cleaning, And you just wonder how do these things happen?
We have never been marked down for cleaning because we’re careful about who we choose to sit for. And we usually leave it better than we got there with a little present.
I have read some ridiculous reviews for homeowners nitpicking. And I mean actually putting in a review that you left a bowl in the backyard?? So sorry, ugh.
In order to assure that you don’t have the same kind of bad experiences I would make sure to only apply to homeowners who have Reasonable reviews of their Pet Sitter’s.
Sorry that this left you with such a bad feeling.
One thing reading the forums has helped me with is this. I am recovering from a 1 star review and feeling anxious about my next sit and next review. But it is supposed to be a free exchange and i know i am a perfectly nice and reasonable person. I responded to that review in a calm and caring manner and i think this helped but i also screen much more carefully. I had planned on applying to a difderent sit but took the time to read the reviews the HO had written on prior sitters. Boy am i glad i did, they were harsh. Clicked on past!
I so agree. Be sure to read the reviews from the homeowners and the response from the sitters. Some PP are so unreasonable that a sit I thought I was interested in I now say pass. Everything has a learning curve and so did this platform for me. At first I never did that as I didn’t realize how important that step is.
UPDATE: they arrived home and thanked me for looking after the dogs and house so well, we shared a meal and a nice evening and gave each other five star reviews.
Some faith restored!
Thanks for the update @Katemarie .
I’m glad to hear it @Katemarie 
thanks for letting us know!
It’s the first thing I do to read the reviews before reading the details of the sit. I then read the details with the reviews in mind for context…. I only sit for very tidy HOs and I’ve added pictures of how I like to live into my profile to put people off who don’t live in a similar way. It’s all about finding good matches. Not everyone is fastidious but a few of us are and we find each other.
I didn’t waste my limited photos with pictures of my own home (which is indeed very nice and tidy), I included twelve different pictures of us with pets as I think this is the most important thing that shows our long and varied pet sitting experience.
(Edit I’m a sitter not an owner in case not clear! I’m offering my pet sitting experience so I show photos of that, you are offering your home and company of pet so you show pictures of that)
As a sitter, I would rather see pictures of the home than a dozen pictures of the pets. A couple of the pets is fine.
HOs have told me they liked seeing our home as it gave them confidence in knowing how we lived…
Totally but my comment is as a sitter not an owner
Absolutely spot on. This is also how we approach sits.
Ooohhhhhh, I love pics of the pets . . . I usually quickly scroll through the house pics to get to the little darlings! 
So happy it worked out, @Katemarie !
I agree, I’ve often had HOs compliment my home office space during video chats and seemed relieved when they were able to see that I have a similar standard and maintain and tidy, organized space.