I recently had a sit where the HO showed me around via Facetime. I’ve never had homeowner suggest this, but I’m realizing that it is really great. I get to see the condition of the home, and I get to see the pet(s). Depending on the vibe, I think I will from now on request this. The downside is if Facetiime is not available for someone, but there must be an alternative for non Apple users. (Any ideas?)
I recently read a post by a first time sitter who experienced a sit that was vastly misrepresented by the listing. A Facetime (or equivalent) tour of the home might have helped avoid this terrible sitter situation. f
I’ve had a couple HO’s do this; the majority I’ve sat for don’t need or want an in person hand-over and I also can’t guarantee due to work. And agree, it can really help avoid places that aren’t clean or kept up. Other options are Zoom, Google Chat, WhatsApp Video.
In UK/Europe WhatsApp video seems to be the go-to method for direct contact. We occasionally get to see the home via video. Usually at the offer of a host. Don’t think I’ve ever actually asked for it. If hosts are honest with their pictures and description there is usually no need.
We are sorting a few sits out on a NZ site which is very different to THS. Lots of listings with no house photos, maybe one of the pets and in many cases no photos at all! With a bit of a leap of faith we applied for a couple but decided we wouldn’t commit without a tour. Worked out fine and I think they understood as we explained we were used to seeing photos on THS. We used WhatsApp each time without issue.
I do ask in the video call (through WhatsApp) if we could do a quick tour through the house. Also, to make it fair, I turn my camera and show them my living room
PS I only do an in person handover, when I arrive and leave. It’s something I value, as then we can discuss some last minute things.
@Rhe Shannon was referring to a non-THS sit. Other platforms have their own guidelines and there are some with many fewer than THS, so it’s more of a hunt for good sits. Personally, I’ve looked around and find THS to be the best, which is sad, because the competition is so weak.
@EvaB, welcome back to THS Forum.
During our video calls then we’ve had several Pet Parents that have - unprompted by us - used WhatsApp or Facetime to provide a full or limited video tour of their property. Our suspicion was the Pet Parents had already determined to offer us the housesit and were trying to increase the probability of our acceptance. Very thoughtful and appreciated.
But there’s a nuance. On at least one such video tour call then the listing photographs and/or other information was relatively poor. Not great. So we consider a video tour as an optional thoughtful gesture, but not a substitute for a thorough listing/guide.
As transparent people, we applaud any tactic that seems intended to improve the experience from pet parent, housesitter or indeed pet perspective.
@Maggie8K, agreed. Our first housesit experience was an a different platform (with hindsight, we were naive). And we have periodically explored alternatives - especially for listing geographies in which THS is relatively poor. We have not found a platform that seems better than THS.
As a HO I always do a video call with the short-listed sitters, usually via Whatsapp, otherwise on Zoom or Skype. So lots of alternatives to FaceTime Video calls are absolutely critical in my opinion - it’s a great way for both parties to “meet” and to get a more in-depth understanding of whether the sit is mutually suitable. I think it would save a lot of issues where either HO or Sitter was misled, although it’s always possible a small number can still slip through the gaps - I suppose dust/fur and other less visual issues may not necessarily show up on a video call.
I didn’t mean to suggest a video tour in lieu of a thorough listing/guide. What I appreciated about the video tour was being able to see the condition of the house, and how to operate anything tricky (like the Nest heater control, which I had never used and it was not intuitive - for me, anyway). I always ask for the Welcome Guide and I also appreciate any additional information left in written form (digital or analog).
I always do a video tour (usually on WhatsApp) with my sitters. Most don’t ask for it, but I am a sitter also and it is something that I like from homeowners. I hope, in my very small way, to normalize the idea of video tours.
I always request a video interview before I will accept a sit. I ask to see the pet(s) and the home including the bedroom/bathroom I’ll be using as well as the common area (living room, kitchen). I will show them my home if they want, but I’ve only had one homeowner request that. FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom are all technologies that work, but Zoom or WhatsApp is better for international contact.
I usually do FaceTime or WhatsApp video with prospective sitters. I think it’s the best way to go from both sides as gives you a feel for the sitter as well.
I also have them arrive the day before I go so I can walk them through everything, show them the usual dog walks, and cook them dinner. If they don’t have a car, then I try and show them round the town a bit.
I also request that they stay until the day after I get back, just in case of delays. They usual reciprocate on the dinner cooking, but it’s no problem if they don’t!