Rather a few threads on THS Forum refer to ‘red flags’, being features that lead Pet Parent or housesitter to decline an opportunity.
But what the ‘green flags’? Perhaps there’s a feature of a Pet Parent or listing that makes a housesitter get excited. The housesitting community seems diverse in profile, location and objectives. So presumably attractive features may likewise vary too.
To get the ball rolling, here’s three green flags that get us reaching for the Apply button.
‘We want housesitter to enjoy themselves’ - for us, this sort of language sets tone towards a more likely fair trade between Pet Parent and housesitter. Can indicate civil gratitude. Often associated with mindset of 'please use our vehicle. Of course, property and pets are important. And we’ll happily fulfil those needs. But housesitters are people too, and they have lives beyond pet care.
‘You are welcomed to arrive early or leave late from sit dates’ - for us, this signifies cultural interest in meeting people (e.g. in-person dinner); a Pet Parent objective of initiating a possible relationship rather than one-off transaction; and highly appreciated flexibility in regards logistical planning (as full-time housesitters).
‘Our pets are low maintenance’ - for us then we really enjoy spending time with pets but their level of everyday maintenance effort varies enormously (especially dogs). This sort of language may signal reasonable pet expectations. For us this may be pets sleep in pet beds; ok leave pets for reasonable duration time; off-leash walks; non aggressive behaviour.
A green flag could be being mindful of my time as a sitter. Reaching out promptly, a vetting process that is going forward in a promptly matter, having a videocall and a timely ending, whether it be a decline or a confirmation.
Communicating travel planning so that I’m able to plan mine.
Actions that shows I’m regarded an equal and a guest, not free labor.
I read past sitters’ reviews and then click on the past sitters’ photos to see what the HOs had to say in their reviews of the sitters. In my experience, the effort HOs put into a sitter’s review says a lot about the HO. It becomes clear which HOs just want a body in the house and which ones actually appreciate the time and effort sitters put in. HOs who show that they appreciate what their sitters have done for their home and their pets are big green flags for me!
When the host puts in their listing places of interest that their sitters might like to visit during their stay and how far away they are - this is a good indication that they understand that this is about a mutual exchange and they want the sitter to enjoy their stay.
When the say in the listing that sitters are welcome to have visitors- (Even if we don’t plan on having visitors) it shows that the hosts are trusting and relaxed , mindful of the sitter enjoying the sit and are not going to be micro managing the sit .
Where there is a concise responsibility section and they also say that they will provide a Welcome Guide
Previous reviews
All 5 star reviews -
and all saying similar positive things about the pets ( eg how they will miss them ) and hosts ( welcoming etc ) and
state that the home was clean
mention a Welcome Guide - Yey!
Repeat sitters are a big green flag they gave a good review and came back to sit again ( and again )
@Haubigut I’m glad you mentioned this. I do look through the style of reviews given by the hosts. If they barely put any effort into what they say and how much they write for all their sitters, I pass.
I had a host say to me, “our house is your house, enjoy anything you want. We’re just so grateful you are here and we get to go on vacation” Really made me feel good about being there.
When the listing shows that the hosts aren’t just thinking about needs for their pets and home. When there’s reciprocity. Likewise with our video chat and other exchanges.
I usually can tell by the listing alone — the video chat is mostly for confirmation and I observe much more than ask questions. I also set expectations so they know to send the welcome guide promptly (well ahead of the sit) if they don’t mention it themselves.
I also check reviews they received and ones they wrote, but that’s mostly for confirmation of what I gleaned from the listing.
Along those lines, I’ve had sits where the hosts have been super relaxed. For example, when do the pets eat? The answers are something vague like, oh, morning and evening. Or after you wake up, or whenever you eat.
My current sit dog free feeds and gets two short walks, some time in the afternoon and before bed — just vaguely so, no actual times. He has a limp and is senior and sometimes refuses to walk at all, like last night, because it had rained. I had him ready to walk and he peed on the front yard and turned right around and headed for the steps, right toward the front door. Like, nope.
He sometimes prefers to just go in the back yard, and my hosts said he’d let me know. And he has.
They also said don’t bother picking up after him, because the gardener will just mow his poop into the grass.
They did tell me to make sure there weren’t any raccoons in the yard at night and to avoid German shepherds, because the poor doggo had previously been attacked by both.
Great topic, and I would agree with many of what has already been mentioned. I agree that the entire tone of the HO post/video call is a crucial factor.
Specific things that I have liked:
‘We haven’t cancelled the newspaper delivery, so feel free to enjoy the papers’
Me asking: ‘‘What time does Fido eat?’’
HO: ‘‘Whenever you get up - he’s only a dog, after all!’’
‘Please help yourself to any food/drink that we have’
In all of my 100+ sits, I would say the vast majority of HOs have been very welcoming indeed, and treated me/us with respect and generosity.
That’s really impressive. I just skimmed through your reviews — amazing results and clearly very happy people who had the chance to have you sit for them.
Yes, it does need to be accompanied by other assets but pet owners who absolutely gush about their animals and how they utterly adore the ground on which they walk, trot, crawl or slither is a huge enticement for me !
In my reading, it is an immediate sign (again, there must be other green flags) that we’re more likely than not to be on the same page.
One Home Owner had the ingredients delivered for meal making and said they would continue during our sit and to help ourselves to the contents. They wouldn’t have kept and he didn’t want to upset the rhythm of his order. It was very kind and much appreciated. It was mentioned in the Welcome Guide.
His Hoover was very poor so I borrowed the one from Nextdoor- lovely lady also with a dog, who invited us to stay over next time we were in the area! I moved his sofas and gave his place a good clean. He was a widower after his wife suddenly died of cancer and his son had bought him a puppy to cheer him up! Big mistake as the pup ruled!
I find if the Home Owner is super thoughtful then so am I!
“Our cleaning people come once a week, usually on Tuesdays, however, they will clean on the day before your arrival, and on the day you leave. We have communicated clearly with the cleaners. They will be here on the following dates: x, y, and z during these hours: noon to 3 pm.”
I agree with all of the replies. One green light for me, is when people show me their pet in the first few photos. I could be wrong, but if feels dismissive of the pet when they show 15 photos of the house and one at the end, of the pet. I always look for the pet(s) first, then peruse the home.
I’m both a HO and a sitter. Not by design, my dog is in each room I photographed. It’s just her way—she likes to be part of things. I have had many people comment that they really liked that about my listing—seeing Shula in each room.
