Hoping folks would be willing to provide feedback on my new listing. We’re in a rural area and have several pets, so it definitely needs the right fit - someone who wants to be out in the country and doesn’t mind meeting an armadillo every now and then. Any thoughts on how to make the listing more appealing, or anything we could offer to incentivize potential sitters? There’s a small guest cabin on the property, meaning sitters could potentially come a few days before we leave and/or stay a few days after we get back, but I wasn’t sure how to make that clear in the listing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
(Post edited by the Forum Team to remove listing from post as per the Community Rules).
Members will be happy to feedback but you need to add your listing to your post. Although it’s a shame that the Forum Team weren’t more helpful in adding it in the correct place instead of just removing it from the wrong one
In general your listing looks good. In the future it would be great if you could post earlier; many experienced sitters are booked up months in advance and this one falls on the “short notice” side.
Here are some small things you can do to improve it:
I would leave out the photos of the guest cabin. A sitter might be unsure if they will be expected to stay there versus the more comfortable house. You can mention the cabin in the listing and the option to have it available before and after but as soon as I saw that ladder, I was out!
One of the responsibilities is watering the plants - please show photos of the plants. The only photos of the yard conjure up snake images and I was thinking, "so if I take this sit do I need snake boots for every dog walk so they don’t go through the fence? How many plants need to be watered - and does that watering involve snakes? I’m totally cool with the armadillos!
As sad as I am to say it, the 17 year old cat caused me concern also. That is very old for a cat - and you are far away from everything. Reassuring a sitter that she is in good health and perhaps mentioning the arrangements for emergency vet care would be helpful.
Same for the mail and trash can “at the end of the road”. Just how far is that? Am I going to have to ride that little ATV thing to get the mail and bring the trash down - or walk through the snakes?** 13 acres is a lot. Am I walking 1/4 of an acre with a trash can, or 12 acres with the trash can?
Who maintains the pool and hot tub, and how? Without maintenance those suckers can become nice little breeding grounds for all kinds of scary stuff, but you don’t mention how those are cared for. Do you have a service or is the sitter expected to maintain them and what does that entail?
I do not understand the dog care at all. It sounds like you want them on a leash so they don’t get off the property - but then you say you let them out one at a time to romp? Does that mean one at a time walks, or one at a time romping and getting through the fence and having to wander through a herd of longhorns to bring them back home?
It is also not clear whether the cats are indoor only or indoor/outdoor. I really really don’t want the cat bringing me a snake as a present (though if one brings me an armadillo, I will give her a BIG prize!)
I’d recommend using a different cover photo (my first thought was ‘what is that, an animal watering hole?’ – sorry!) … like maybe the pic of that really nice living room. And maybe a better photo that shows the house; that one looks like it’s hidden behind a jungle of long grass (snakes?, lol).
Thanks BJane! I added the link under my profile as specified in the very helpful instructions you linked. Appreciate you pointing me in the right direction!
Thanks so much for the feedback - I really appreciate it! It’s only 800 feet to the road, and the trash only needs to be taken down if it’s full, so no hiking required! We’ll clarify all of the items you mentioned. If anyone has additional feedback or suggestions for ways to make the listing more appealing I’m all ears - we’re new here and want to make accommodations as needed. Thanks again!
Looks lovely Think I’d be more concerned about the Texan heat and the beehives than meeting an armadillo (which would be awesome). Would definitely consider fixing the fence.
Highlight the option for extra days in the pitch—and air conditioning (if you have it). Hosts in remote areas sometimes need to go the extra, mile, especially with a large amount of pets and responsibility - would offer to cover transportation/the use of car too, could be necessary if you find a match traveling by plane, etc. Good luck
We have friends in Boerne and think the TX hill country is lovely. Not sure about July, though.
I think it’s mostly very well presented.
I would add WHERE the pets all sleep. Some sitters like to sleep with the pets and others do not. How long can dogs be on their own is also a question most sitters will want to ask - if you want to attract sitters who would enjoy visiting the area this is an important piece of information.
Also a photo of the bathroom should be provided - technically, clear bright photos of all the spaces that a sitter will have access to should be included. Some people may want to know if separate sleeping quarters are available (friends, parent with adult or teen child, couples who do not sleep together, etc)
If you struggle to find sitters, you may want to consider loaning a car if that is possible and mention which airport is closest to your home.
Good luck, the pets are adorable!
The bees would be a worry for us (husband is allergic) but I love any non venomous snake and would love to see an armadillo!
Think I’d be more concerned about the Texan heat and the beehives than meeting an armadillo (which would be awesome). Would definitely consider fixing the fence.