# Homeowner newbie needs tips

**URL:** https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/homeowner-newbie-needs-tips/64547
**Category:** Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
**Created:** [28 May 2025 16:03 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/homeowner-newbie-needs-tips/64547 "2025-05-28T16:03:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 17

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### Author: ![buttercup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@buttercup](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/buttercup)
#### Post date: [29 May 2025 07:31 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/homeowner-newbie-needs-tips/64547/17 "2025-05-29T07:31:33Z")

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✅ Do’s:

- Balance the pitch – Your listing (photos and description) should strike a thoughtful balance between showcasing the space and communicating expectations. It’s the heart of the “deal.” (This especially resonates with low-volume or last-minute listings—hosts often adjust to what should have been front and center from the start.)

- Communicate well – Be courteous, responsive, and show genuine interest in the guest. Speed and sincerity goes a long way.

- Offer a clean, welcoming, and organized home – It sets the tone and reflects mutual respect.

- Leave a review—on time – Believe it or not, some skip this step, thinking a thank-you on WhatsApp will do.

❌ Don’ts:

- Avoid employer/job-like language – Terms like “interview,” “dogwalker,” or “booking” miss the point. This isn’t a gig; it’s a free exchange between travelers. (Also, not every listing includes pets 🌿)

- Don’t obscure the location – Be transparent about where the place is, how accessible it is, and confirm your arrival/departure times before the video call.

- Skip the half-measures – A welcome guide is not optional. Handwritten scraps or outdated pet or house pics from another decade don’t inspire confidence.

- Retaliatory comments in reviews – Don’t use the comment section to vent or punish. A bad review isn’t the end of the world—how you respond speaks louder.

- Be upfront – No surprises with third parties. No misleading information about the pet or property— all are major red flags and could potentially lead a guest to leave mid-stay. Also, not having an active vet account in place signals a lack of preparedness and responsibility.

Good luck @Kali🙂

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