Getting saves but no applications. Getting nervous about finding a sitter

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
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Hi, folks! I’m new to THS. Several people at my office recommended it. I’ve got a trip booked up the first week of December and decided to give this a shot. And in a few weeks since posting my listing, I’ve had a good number of saves (5 so far), but no applications. I’ve read a lot of threads on the topic here and elsewhere. I updated my descriptions and photos and followed what advice I could find. But still, nothing.

Now I’m getting nervous about whether I need to look at alternatives. Is this sit just far out for the length (4 days) for this platform? Are there red flags in my listing I’m not aware of? Maybe it’s not a desirable location in December (I think it’s among the prettiest times here)?

Is it usual to not get any bites at all until closer to the dates? I see a lot of sitters say they look mostly 4 to 6 weeks out if it’s a shorter sit. If I can’t line something up soon, then maybe this isn’t a great option for me.

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Weclome to forum, @AlexandCharlie !

You’ve done a good job on your listing, IMO. One thing perhaps, is that it can be a little difficult to read for some, with long sentences and such. ChatGPT?

I think you are probably right, that it is a long time to plan ahead for a short sit. But not impossible to get applicants at this time, ofc.

Your target group for this sit would probably not be intl. travellers so much, but sitters going to the area anyway, filling a gap in their itinerary or visiting family/ friends in the area (or even a local sitter, looking for a change of scenery or vacating their own home for redecoration or to get some peace and quiet from roommates :slight_smile: ).

Something I notice lacking (?) and that I know many sitters look for in a listing, is actual size of bed (as queen/ double and such vary in meaning in different countries, and many sitters value sleep..), where the pet sleeps (many sitters will avoid pet in bedroom/ bed) and how long the pet can be left for outings in the area (or even if there are pet-friendly cafes and such in the neighborhood if it can’t be left). It is good to have this in the listing, as I think sitters that look for these things would often scroll on rather than ask you if they don’t find the info.

Many sitters have an end cleaning routine, and might avoid shortish sits as it won’t be much time for leisure. An idea for this sit could be to mention that for this short sit the sitter can just tidy after themselves and strip the beds and you will take care of the rest. If you have a good sitter, you should find your home in a nice state regardless.

As it is December, you could consider to check whether there’s some nice Christmas events or sites those dates, and say something in the listing on that topic. Ofc if the pet permits the sitter leaving to visit such a site.

Don’t do anything or offer anything you are not comfortable with, and follow your gut if anything feels “off”. That being said, I think it looks lovely and could well apply if I was in the area. Best of luck!

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I’m in a similar situation but not getting any saves that I can see. I’m worried that it is my location that is the issue. It’s a three-week sit. I’m super frustrated. We listed a completely different house in a totally different location five years ago so don’t qualify for the “guarantee”.

I reached out to support for assistance. They suggested that I look for a sitter. But there doesn’t appear to be a way to search sitters except by the city they live in? Am I missing something? How would I find someone who is interested in coming to my area?

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A short sit in December is a long way off in THS terms - generally short sits get confirmed nearer to the time and longer sits get confirmed more in advance .

So there is still plenty of time to find a THS sitter .

However, it’s always prudent to have a back up plan . It’s a rare occurrence but occasionally there is an emergency or exceptional circumstance that means the sitter may have to cancel . So it’s always recommended that sitters and hosts have a back up plan in mind JiC.

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Seconding what @Silversitters is saying. December is too far off to commit to sitting plans for only a 4 day sit. Can you stretch it to a week? Otherwise in this case it could be worth looking for local sitter’s and offering them the dates as it might work as a filler sit. Maybe also have a paid sitter or kennels lined up as a plan B @AlexandCharlie if that makes you more relaxed? #theresstilltime

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A 4 day sit would a last minute gap-filler for most sitters so thise often get booked up later- much nearer the time. Its only August you have plenty of time to find a sitter! Your most likely sitter market are those local to you looking for a change of scenery or perhaps someone whose already booked a longer Christmas sit near you and can Tag the dates on. Good luck!

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Many sitters don’t pursue short sits, so your potential pool might be limited.

Personally, I usually filter for sits of one week minimum.

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Your listing looks great and I think you just need to give it more time. If sitters have saved it that means they’d like to do it at a different time, or might even consider it for December, but most won’t commit to such a short sit so far in advance. I loved your line about the cheese tax!

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Here is a post I wrote for a similar owner a while back; you can just modify the instructions to be suitable to your location. Good luck!

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I agree that the listing seems AI-generated and consequently lacks the personal voice of the homeowner. It also is short on specifics, like where exactly is the house (what neighborhood?), how long can the dog be left alone, etc.

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The listing says the home is 10 minutes from downtown Beaverton.

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I’ve no idea what PNW is? You say ‘pup’ which is offputting immediately as I don’t sit puppies- however I see your dog is aged 12. What’s a cheese tax?

I think it’s only a sit for a local maybe visiting the area anyway- so write it for that demographic maybe?

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Thanks for the feedback and insights, folks! Appreciate it.

Unfortunately, it sounds like THS might not be a good fit for how I need to plan trips. At least, not this kind. People in the area had said they used it for shorter trips too, but I can’t really wait until a few weeks out to lock things down.

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Pacific North West (that was a forum lesson check me :rofl:), pup is the generic for dog of any age in some vernaculars (also guilty of using it for pooches of all ages) & can’t help with the cheese conundrum. #everydaysaschoolday

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Tweak your title a little. You’ve got “Your home base to explore the Portland area, with a fuzzy guide!” , but the first 6 or so words are the most important, because sometimes the rest gets cut off, and “your home base to explore the”… doesn’t tell sitters anything about your home, location, or your pets etc, and that’s what they see in the big list, along with your first image, so they’re really important.

Hope that helps

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It sounds like a lovely sit and you sound like a great host, offering hotel stay the night before if needed etc.

Most people are on their summer holiday and maybe not thinking so far ahead.

I think you’ve got enough time to find someone.

Maybe change the first image to one of Charlie outside smiling (maybe the last image). Maybe tweak this “She is not high maintenance during the day” it makes it sound like she’s high maintenance at night! I’d want to know how long you walk her for and how many hours she can left.

Also, you can pause and then unpause your listing and apparently it comes up as a new listing. Good luck.

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Have you reached out to any of the people who have saved your listing?

In general I save listings when it looks like it may work out for me, but I’m not sure. Almost every time I’ve saved a listing and people have reached out I’ve decided to apply.

By reaching out to your saved you can start a dialogue with them. Maybe they are coming to the Portland area early December but aren’t sure of their plans. Maybe they have family in Beaverton and might be inspired to visit them at that time. Maybe they are looking for a sit to line up with yours but one hasn’t popped up yet. You say in your listing you are willing to put sitters up in a hotel the day before and after the sit. That could be the thing that makes a saved into an application.

Also, I think you should take your sit down and repost. There are so many sits in the Portland area, your sit is getting pushed to the bottom of the list.

I know you want to get this nailed down, but 3 months is really far in advance for a 4 day sit.

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Thank you. The pup thing always makes me look at the age of the dog to double check, the issue I think is if there are too many small hills to get past- I just stop reading… I don’t know if other sitters do the same though? It also says to feed lunch which means no day trips out ….

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PNW is the Pacific Northwest region, and in the words of Mathew Hobbs: The cheese tax!
The cheese tax!

You gotta pay the cheese tax
Every time you’re cooking
When the cheese comes out
This puppy comes looking

The rules are the rules
And the facts are the facts
And when the cheese drawer opens
You gotta pay the tax

The cheese tax!
The cheese tax!

Hand it over quick
Or things might get ugly
I can get really loud
I’m a really barky puppy

I’m not just asking
Cuz I’m looking for snacks
This is real important business
And you gotta pay the tax

The cheese tax!
The cheese tax!
The cheese tax!

Cheddar is acceptable
And Parmesan is fine
But a little bit of Gouda
Would really blow my mind
There’s no escaping
So don’t try to dodge
Pay the dairy tariff!
The collection of fromage

The cheese tax!
The cheese tax!
The cheese tax!

Cheese tax
Cheese tax
Cheese tax
The cheese tax!
Oh yeah!

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Nope. Just good old fashioned meat mind. We’re not extinct yet.

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