We are located about 15-20 mins from Los Angeles in a convenient and nice neighborhood (San Gabriel, CA) My dates are somewhat flexible because my sister lives in the next city over and can help watch the dogs if you need leave or stay longer outside of the dates. Possible use of car, and I always provide a gift card for groceries, etc for the sitters. I have never had any problems securing sitters and have only 5 star reviews. I’m getting nervous since I have no application for this sit. Is there anything you would add to my listing to help secure a good sitter?
Hi @mirandabear, you are competing with many other owners for your dates as the festive season is when there is greatest demand for sitters but supply is much lower. Also, although you say there is some flexibility, your end date is New Years Eve, which could well be a deterrent. Your photos are clear but are the external ones appropriate for the time of year e.g will it be pool weather? Do you have any photos showing you will have your house decorated for Christmas if you celebrate it? Would you be open to allowing your sitters to have family visit (not overnight) where it includes Christmas? There may be sitters who have family in your area so it could appeal to them.
You can remove your dates briefly then re-list them to make it New again so sitters will see it. Many sitters will already be booked by now if they are interested in sitting over this period but, hang in there, and fingers crossed for you.
When did you put up the listing? If you recently posted you’re way too late. Most people have their holiday sit. Some book months ahead of time. Now the pool is smaller.
You have a duplicate photo of the white dog in the kitchen. I agree about the New Year’s Eve end date. This might limit you to local sitters who could drive home for the evening. Anyone coming from any distance probably isn’t going to want to be flying on/either side of New Year’s Eve. If you make the sit end a couple days earlier you might have some interest; if it’s a couple days later does that mean the sitter would spend NYE with you…? Maybe add what you wrote in your post above about flexible dates and your sister, to the statement in the listing about flexible dates.
Good luck – I certainly wouldn’t speak for “most people” having their plans finalized yet. I haven’t even decided if I’m going to apply for any Christmas sits and will “maybe” look for something last minute, but that’s just me, for reasons. You might still get someone last-minute!
@mirandabear there are over 4,100 hosts currently looking for sitters over the Christmas dates . There aren’t enough sitters to cover all of these sits .
Christmas sits are difficult to fill as there are so many homeowners looking for care.
I would move the “flexible dates” and “possible car” to a different section. Put this at the beginning so people see it. Sitters look for sits with a car, so click the toggle so that sitters can find you.
You might want to change the dates to Dec 21 to Jan 3 (a Saturday) and explain in the listing that you will pay for an Airbnb from Dec 31 to Jan 3.
Put specific times in your listing. “We need sitter to arrive by 9 am on Dec 21 and can leave around 3 pm on Dec 31 to check into Airbnb nearby.” If sitter can stay at your home WITH YOU at all, then be clear in your listing.
Is your home going to be decorated for the holidays?
I noticed your last sitter gave you 4 stars for cleanliness. That would make me pass immediately. Perhaps state that you will have house cleaned before the sitter arrives and also on Dec 30 or 31. Just an idea!
