We just posted our first listing and I was originally afraid we would get no interest, and very nervous about who might apply. Less than a day later we have five applicants and everyone is so kind.
Do you choose people who are closer so you can meet them in person beforehand? Or do you opt for people from further afield so it’s more of a cultural exchange? How do you gently turn people down when you’ve made your decision?
Thank you for any insight.
We’re sitters. The huge benefit of someone more local, is that they could potentially sit again in the future for you (we return to our home town regularly and sit there while visiting family). As for meeting beforehand, even though sitters may be local, if they sit full time they may be sitting further afield and not able to pop in beforehand, but there’s no harm in asking at all. We personally wouldn’t pop in for cats (a lot of sitters are like that with cats), simply because some may be out and about on adventures at the time we arrive or some can be a little aloof during a short visit.
That’s totally your choice, just take into account if there’s a language difference, then do you have a back up plan, like a helpful neighbour if communicating with vets need to take place. Also, take into account that overseas sitters flights can get delayed, so some invite the sitter to stay the day prior too.
If you have multiple applicants with great reviews that mention both cleanliness, communication, and pet care, or even if they have no reviews but you really think they suit you, just trust your instinct and intuition. There will be one that your heart feels more connected to. It’s not necessarily a tick box exercise, it’s a feeling, it’s a connection.
And don’t turn anyone down until you have a proper confirmed sit in place. If they sounded perfect just be honest ‘you sound perfect but I’ve already confirmed with another sitter, but hopefully our dates may match up again in the future’. Don’t word it as though you’ve chosen another sitter over them, as they won’t want to sit for you in the future, just word it as though you’ve already chosen one (which you would have).
Hello and welcome to THS! 
It is completely up to you who you feel is the best fit for you. I would suggest always having a video call with potential sitters to get to know them and discuss sit details further. This may help you come to a decision. It’s up to you if you want sitters to be closer to your area so you can meet them in advance. Just know that THS is as much of a travel and cultural exchange as it is a pet sitting service, and not as many people will be able to meet in advance, as they are often travellers and non-locals.
Turning people down is just a normal aspect of the site, and most sitters are used to being declined when an owner has chosen someone else - it’s just the nature of the program, you can only have one sitter at a time! 
Don’t fret too much about it, just thank them for their interest and application but that you’ve had many applications and have got a sitter covered for this time.
Best of luck!
I would read the sitters’ reviews (scroll to see them all) then read what they themselves wrote about the HOs too……it took me a while to work out how to find these!
As you’re new as a HO here you will want to build a nice string of 5* reviews from your sitters to give you a good solid base for the future. This site is all about building a reputation on both sides of the exchange. Best wishes 
Congratulations on your first listing - wonderful to hear that you’ve received such positive interest so quickly. Regarding your questions, it is quite a personal choice really. Some hosts prefer local applicants for easier in-person interactions especially for the first sit.
As for turning people down, it’s important to be respectful and transparent and recommended to message the other applicants to thank them for their interest etc.
Hope this insight helps, and best of luck with your hosting experience 
Just be aware that once you confirm a sit with a sitter, THS automatically declines all the other applicants. If you do really like those other applicants, do send them a separate message (as soon as you can after this) to say how much you liked their profile and that you hope they’ll apply another time.
Thank you very much, everyone. This is all very useful. Can anyone tell me how to view the reviews sitters leave for owners; it was mentioned above but I can’t seem to figure out how to do it.
I guess we just need to make a difficult decision! I will of course reply to everyone who applied, I don’t want to burn any bridges and to be honest all of them seemed trustworthy and made a real effort with the nice messages they sent. Hopefully they will consider us again in future.
@Laika When you look at sitter’s review, you see a little round pic or a name of a home owner. Click that, and you’ll go to the home owner’s profile. Then look through their reviews, and find the one the sitter wrote.
@CatsAndDog thank you very much!
@Laika It can be difficult deciding between applicants, all who seem suitable. Look carefully at how personalised their applications are; their THS reviews; their actual experience with the type of pet/s you have; whether you feel a connection with any of the applicants just because of their application. Having a video chat before confirming a sit is really recommended for both parties where it is a mutual exchange. I have a feeling sitters generally ask far more questions than owners because we’re seeking more information that might not be included in the listing that could influence whether we’re still happy to do the sit if it is offered. Also be aware that once you confirm your sitter, they must then agree to the sit. This all happens through the inbox. If that does not happen, the sit has not been confirmed. All the best in your first experience of THS.