They have only one review, a good one, which specifically includes references to how they’re clean and their cats are loving and playful. (I look for written references to cleanliness, because sitters are less likely to write that if it’s not true than to just click on a star rating falsely.)
We’ve been trading messages sporadically since we confirmed. We have each other’s contact info off the THS platform. This is in contrast with sitters or hosts who suddenly post a week or two before their sit and say they can’t get a response and don’t know how else to contact the sitter or host — mutual communication is a strong signal for good partnerships.
For my part, I have 20+ reviews, with five stars on every dimension and every sit, with many references to how I leave homes clean and pets content / happy. I’ve sat for a bunch of first-time and newer THS hosts and none of them have let me down.
I look for signals in their listings (content and tone / framing) of reciprocity and hospitality. If they don’t show such signals, I skip them automatically, because I’m not looking to show anyone how to be hospitable. People who are good hosts don’t need rules and guidance from THS on how to be welcoming. Hospitality has existed well before THS.
I also look for a welcome guide well ahead of our sit. I don’t make travel arrangements without that. That’s because if they don’t care to set their sitter up for success, why should I care?
These hosts also replied promptly — I withdraw if hosts don’t respond within 48 hours of my applying.
During the phone/video interview, I look for signs that they recognize that I am interviewing them as much as they are interviewing me. I look for kindness & consideration. I look for high EQ.
Most of all — I always, ALWAYS trust my gut. If anything seems even slightly odd, I probe it to see what’s up.
Last, I guess I look to see if I think I’d likely be friends with the person outside of THS.
As a sitter, I first read the reviews that other sitters have given the homeowners and the reviews the homeowners have given their past sitters. Like Maggie, I withdraw after 48 hours if I don’t hear back after applying. I respond to emails within a day and I’m impressed with homeowners who also do, so good communication is very important to me. I have 50 -5 star reviews with THS but I still continue to learn what to look out for. I have a sit coming up in a couple of weeks and recently asked the homeowner when I needed to arrive and was told mid morning which in my mind is 1030-1100. There’s no way I could arrive from where I live at that time, so booked into a hotel an hour away. I mentioned this to the homeowner who is now asking me to arrive at 0830 so that she can leave earlier knowing that I have a hotel. So as a seasoned sitter, you still have to be careful to ask explicit questions. I’ve now decided to ask the exact arrival and departure times before I confirm the sit. Lesson learned!
I do not find reviews always accurate. I look for green and red flags – HO is a good communicator/kind/courteous/happy, cares about my comfort and well being, asks about my needs/wants, clean renovated nicely decorated uncluttered homes/lawns, uncropped/unedited photos, pets look clean/groomed/cared for, etc. Usually people who have clean well-maintained homes, have well-behaved/socialized and healthy pets.
Red flags: HO lacks manners and communication skills, not smiley/friendly, does not ask any questions, does not disclose any of their pet’s health/behavioral issues or quirks, limited photos of the home or look cropped, anxious looking ungroomed pets, no photos of front of the home or yard, photos with clutter (indicates dirty/hoarder home and possible pest infestations).
A relaxed friendly conversation on the video call covering all necessary details .
A well prepared Welcome Guide ( in whatever form ) shared soon after sit confirmation.
A follow up message from host pre-sit to ask if there’s anything else we need for the sit.
Our first four THS sits ( when we didn’t have any reviews ) followed this pattern . Two were for experienced THS hosts and two for hosts who, like us, were new to THS .
All of these sits were great experiences and this pattern of prompt and friendly communication has become the gold standard of what we expect for a smooth house sitting experience.
We received a prompt response to our application, followed by a phone or video call and the sits were confirmed within hours of our application.
At the same time as the above , we had applied for another sit . This was not followed up by the host for several months at which point we withdrew our application.
All of the above for me. However the gold class owners ask at the end of the sit was there anything lacking that I needed. They are always looking to improve the sitter experience showing that they value their sitters. Of course you don’t see this huge green flag until the sit is finished. In 35 sits, I’ve only experienced this twice.
Gauging by your comment on another thread, your screening process probably could use tightening up:
The number of bad sits you’ve described seems out of whack with what other experienced sitters have typically described. The tips on this thread might be worth your while to integrate (more).
Not typically - this was one of our first bunch of applications when we joined THS . As the weeks went , by I was intrigued to see how long it would be before we got any kind of response from this host .
They have had sitters who all review as it being a great sit , but their communication style ( or lack of ) is not a good match for us . The sit comes up again from time to time , we have no interest in applying again for this reason.
It boggles my mind how long some people are “reviewing” for. I too have kept some applications open just to see, but yeah I have likely moved on, if I apply for a sit on particular dates it’s because I want a sit then, I don’t want to leave it to the last minute.
Agreed, I never like the answers “mid morning” or “late afternoon” for arrival and departure.
I understand narrowing down a specific time could be difficult but tell me what is considered “mid morning” to you vs me.
Makes everything so much easier for me. I started booking a hotel the day prior and occasionally the day after when I am in another country, local sits I don’t.
YES!!! I always think of my poor grandma, practically in tears when we arrived, as I told her we would arrive, “at dinnertime.” To her that meant “lunch” and to us it meant “supper”…
Great question, content and intent. Most Pet Parents are great people. But some heroes go the extra mile to show appreciation, respect and friendliness.
For enthusiasts, there was a similar topic ‘green flags’ a while ago.
Well I’ve just decided to opt out of this sit for the first time since being a long time sitter with THS. I’ve learned a valuable lesson from this one.
Ugh. Possibly a bit off-topic, but this struck a bit of a nerve for me. I’ve had all great hosts, but sometimes I do wonder what goes through people’s minds.
They know you’re coming from far away but want you to show up in the a.m. of the day they leave (for a rushed 1/2 hour hand-over), but don’t offer to host you the night beforehand even though you’ve politely let them know this will necessitate a hotel stay at your own cost. OK, no problem; it’s less stressful for me to get in the day beforehand anyway so I can grocery shop etc, since I won’t know the lay of the land with the pets’ stress levels until I’m there & I don’t want to have to worry about food for a couple days. THEN, as with you, they say “GREAT, can you be here at 7:30/8a then?!?”
Of course I can be — and usually do — but now I’m mildly annoyed that I paid extra for a hotel with a pool & a fridge so that I could get a swim in & store my perishables.
I remind myself that it’s a good thing I like this “job.”
You definitely validated my thoughts MerryPuppins! I decided to withdraw from the sit - the first one ever in all my years as a seasoned sitter with THS and I feel a total sense of relief! First time I have ever got a “gut” feeling to bow out gracefully!
