I’m pretty new on THS. I posted my first listing last Thursday, got 5 responses within half an hour after it was approved (WOW!). We already had to wonderful calls with 2 sitters. Both calls were great, so we actually had a hard time deciding which sitter to offer the sit (talk about luxury problems ). We offered it to one of the 2 applicants, and they excepted! So, again: love this community and how well it works!
But now I’m wondering what the next steps are. I’m a bit overwhelmed with the amount of options and information on the site and forum.
I’ve been looking for a simple document, link or page, where the steps of the whole process from creating the listing to finalizing the process (returning home from vacation?) are explained.
What are the next steps we have to take, what are the sitters next steps? e.g.: should I confirm the offer or invite the sitters who agreed to come and take care of our pets?
Just a simple flow chart, or bullet-point list would be super helpful. Does this exist? And if so: where can I find it?
What a lovely “problem” to have - and such a great first experience!
While THS doesn’t really offer a clean one-page flow chart, you’re absolutely not alone in wanting one. From the sitter side, after 14+ years of full-time global house-sitting and 155+ sits, the process tends to settle into a pretty consistent rhythm once we’ve been chosen (which always feels like a privilege, by the way ).
Here’s the simple, real-world flow we follow once we’re offered and accept a sit:
1. Sit is agreed in the system
You send the offer
Sitter accepts
Dates are locked in on both sides
2. Initial message to align basics
We usually send a short “looking forward” message
Confirm key points: arrival time, departure time, pet routines at a high level
3. Welcome Guide + practical details
You complete/share your Welcome Guide
We read it properly (not just skim)
If anything’s unclear, we ask questions early
4. Communication rhythm
Some owners prefer lots of updates, others minimal
We clarify this upfront so expectations match
5. Pre-arrival check-in (about 1–2 weeks out)
Reconfirm times, access, travel details
Share phone numbers / WhatsApp if not already done
Check for any changes (pet routines, health, home matters)
6. Arrival / handover
In-person handover if possible (gold standard)
If not, clear instructions for key collection and entry
Walkthrough of pets, home, quirks, and “good to know” things
7. During the sit
Follow routines as closely as possible
Send agreed updates (photos go a long way )
Flag anything unusual early - communication matters more than perfection
8. Pre-departure
Confirm your return time
Clean/tidy the home to the agreed standard
Pet care continues right up to handover
9. Handover back
Quick debrief if in person
Share any notes (food running low, small issues, funny pet moments…)
10. Reviews
Both sides leave a review - these really matter for everyone going forward
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From your side as a homeowner, the key “next steps” right now are actually quite simple: Ensure the sit is formally agreed in the system (sounds like you’ve done this) Complete your Welcome Guide Start a light, friendly line of communication with your sitter Confirm arrival/departure logistics
Everything else tends to flow naturally from there.
If it feels like a lot, that’s normal early on - but you’ve already done the hardest part (finding a great match). The rest is just building a comfortable, clear connection.
Happy to share a super simple “owner-side checklist” too if that would help
Since you also like the 2nd person you spoke with I would send them a message and say something like, I really enjoyed speaking with you and it was a difficult decision but we felt the only fair thing to do is confirm the first applicant we spoke with who applied earlier than you. We would love to book you for our next vacation. Hope we can contact you in the future.
OP, You may not always get good ones that apply so don’t burn the bridges with the other one you liked.
So you offered it and they accepted. The sit should be showing upin your box as confirmed. That part is done.
Make sure that you and the sitter have another way to communicate besides the THS messaging system. Phone, text, whatsapp, etc are examples of what I mean.
You should have already discussed arrival and departure times, but if you didn’t get in touch again. If the sitter is coming from far away by plane for instance, it’s fine to ask if they got their tickets or even to show you the tickets so you are sure they are coming.
You’ll need to complete the Welcome Guide. Many homeowners find this daunnting because of how it’s set up. It’s fine to use a google document or pdf instead. Just make sure it includes all the important information about your home and pet care routine. Let the sitter know when the document is ready and send it.
You probably discussed the “handoff” with arrival time but with a cat handoffs are often remote so if that is the case, figure out how the sitter willl get your keys etc.
There are emails you will get and if you explore the infor on the site you’ll find tips about preparing your home for the sitter. Main point: Make sure everything is clean and tidy.
@JudithB I just found your listing and it’s showing as reviewing. That means you and the sitter have not completed the process to confirm the sit. Keep in mind there is a help section on the main website page. Here are the steps to confirm a sitter.
Soon after I joined here and did my profile I realized that the Welcome Guide offered by the site is rather limited, too restrictive and can’t even be printed!
So I developed my own which allows me to add photos such as to describe how an appliance works and even the shutter latches which are tricky, and the location of the reset button on the furnace (those are a few examples of many).
It’s so easy to make updates over time which are always going to be necessary as things change around the house, pets may come and go and their behavior changes or their schedule, etc.
Also we add a comprehensive list of contacts on the last page and their availability may change as well so that gets updated.
I check the Welcome Guide before sending it to each new sitter and I also update it if things change significantly even if there is no sit pending. Or at least make notes on my phone about what to change as things come up, and then do the modifications later.
The sit has been confirmed now and I messaged all the other applicants personally to thank them. We might actually meet-up with the other sitter we spoke to, as she will be in The Netherlands for a longer period. As we will most definitely go on holiday again, it’s indeed good to keep in touch
). We offered it to one of the 2 applicants, and they excepted! So, again: love this community and how well it works!
Ensure the sit is formally agreed in the system (sounds like you’ve done this)
