Hi, I am new to this platform (2 weeks) and have posted two available sits. I have not had any interest in my dates for February and only 1 application for April. Is it hard to get applications when you have not been reviewed?
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It’s possibly a bit harder to get sitters with no reviews @cathy1 but not much. As sitters, we are more concerned with the look of the listing, the responsibilities, the tone of your welcome and the pics of the home than if you’re a new host. Is your listing strong do you think? Are you in a competitive area? Do you have loads of pets at home? All those have an influence. Best thing to do is add your listing to your forum profile and get some feedback from experienced members
#insideinfo
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I completely agree with @Cuttlefish. You can’t change the number of animals or the area where you live but you can make the sit more attractive and try to compensate somehow if you have a demanding sit or your area is not very attractive.
The tone of the listing is definitely a deal breaker for me. This is not a job for sitters and most of us don’t even need the accommodation so it has to be a fair exchange and this should show in the listing tone.
If you link your listing I am sure you will get great advice.
Good luck.
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thank you! I think I got it done 
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thank you.
The tone of your listing, photos and pets all look great. As a sitter I would have no hesitation in applying for what looks a relatively straightforward and easy sit - if I was in the market to visit your area. The lack of sitter reviews would not worry me. Fingers crossed that you will get some applications - after all, you only need one good one !
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I have had a look at your listing andit looks OK, I don’tsee anything that might put sitters off but perhaps you can consider some improvements.
It shows as not accessible by public transport. It also says you less than a mile away from the center of Brunswick. Perhaps there are some transport options not too far from your home. It would be helpful if there are grocery stores nearby or if you could offer to take the sitters to get their groceries at the beginning of the sit. The easier you can make it for sitters, the more chances of getting applications.
Sometimes, when owners don’t get applications they add some sort of bonus.
I have also seen some listings inviting people that might be interested to start communication even if they don’t apply.
I see that your arrival time is quite flexible, if you are open to hosting sitters the day before your departure you could say that in the listing. For some sitters that helps make the sit more attractive. But, certainly, flexibility and being open to discuss some options is a sign that the host is welcoming.
It also helps to say something about sleeping arrangements for the sitter, if you make space for their clothes and their food … Things like that.
Anyway, you have more that 5 weeks before the sit starts so you can still get suitable applications.
Good luck
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thank you!
great suggestions, thanks!
You have it nailed! 
Your sit and kitties sound sweet and it’s very welcoming in tone. If it’s less than a mile to Brunswick then that’s walkable so I’d lose the “not accessible by public transport” as it will open up a much bigger pool of sitters. There must be options. If I was your sitter I’d like a bit more info about the cats’ personalities and if they like to cuddle or play, you clearly adore them so add that to your responsibilities section. Agree with the option of offering to host the night before or after as that can help with flexibility. Am sure you’ll find someone fab! #painthepicture
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Thank you!
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It looks a lovely sit @Cathy1 with very cute cats. In Home Tasks, I would mention how you would like your condo kept because if it’s not mentioned in your listing and sitters left it dirty, you have no grounds to complain. I know we assume it will be respected and looked after but, sadly, this is not always the case so it’s better to make it clear in your listing.
As you live in a condo, I would add some more information in the Home and Location section about this. Are there rules to follow? How big a complex? Any attractive facilities etc?
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I see that you’ve made some good changes, as people here suggested. Are you indeed looking only for a solo sitter? In your intro you say that you’re looking for “a person,” which leads one to think that couples should not apply.
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I enjoyed two weeks in Brunswick last September, it is a really lovely town and area, and your listing looks good. I consider Brunswick quite accessible by public transport and it is only about 45 minutes from Portland. There are a couple of bus options and the train goes to and from Portland several times a day. I took a Lyft from downtown Portland as it was Labor Day, and it was quite reasonable. Since it is a cat sit, visiting Portland is very do-able for a day trip, maybe even visit Peaks, etc. I think you could fluff up your listing with all the many sightseeing options not far away. Boothbay Harbor is a great day trip too!
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I think at first just one person to see how the cats do. They were previously abandoned so are a bit shy around new people. I am hoping to be able to open this up to more than one person
Done, thank you!
Great idea! Thanks.
Agree with the suggestion about describing the sleeping arrangement for the sitter. Is that the master bedroom in the photo or a guest room for the sitter? If it’s a 1-bedroom then you will not be having the sitter arrive or depart a day before/after, I assume.
As a sitter perusing listings I’d want to see a photo of the exterior/yard, especially if it’s a condo: how close are neighbours, is there private space?
Your kitties are cute – hope you find a great sitter.
Thank you. As soon as the snow melts enough I will go out back and take a photo of the deck 
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It is a one bedroom. My guest room is a den with a on-suite a comfortable pull put couch. I thought that may be off putting?
@Cathy1 Hello Cathy, we just read through your listing. Can you clarify where sitters sleep? Is it in the bedroom shown in your listing (is that the master)?
Or… If you expect sitters to sleep on a sofa bed, please have it deployed and made up, include photos of it and mention it in the listing.
For us, we would reject any sit in which the HO expects us to sleep on a sofa bed (or futon).
So it’s helpful if HOs mention sleeping arrangements upfront. Helps sitters decide whether to apply.
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