Just posted for the first time

Hi Everyone, I’ve heard great things about Trusted house sitters from friends of ours and we are trying out for the first time. The challenge is that we are away for over two weeks at xmas time. I would so much appreciate any advice about posting the best listing. I think our situation is pretty good. We live in a holiday area (Dartmoor National Park), our house is relatively spacious, our pets are easy, and we’re happy to let pet sitters use our car. I have attached our listing to our profile because it’s likely we’re missing something key! One question I have is how people find us based on location. For example, if someone would like to stay in Dartmoor, that does not come up in search criteria for our house. Thanks, Virginia

Edited to remove attached listing to meet the Community Guidelines.

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It sounds fabulous and I’ve hearted your listing for another time. I like how you’ve written about your pets-a really nice vibe.
I think you’ll have plenty of applicants for Xmas. Something I’d be asking as a sitter is bedtime for your doggy so might be worth adding that and how long the pets sleep for and what time they wake you up in the mornings. Internet speeds are useful to note.

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I love your listing so much that I would apply immediately if I were a sitter! Frankie and Honey sound adorable, your home and location look and sound spectacular, and your responsibilities section made me laugh. It’s very friendly and also full of important details. I don’t think you need to worry, I would guess you’ll have 5 applications very quickly. Just be sure to respond to them quickly and I always recommend a video chat with your favorite before confirming, just to get a feel for things and clear up any questions about timing and expectations and such for both sides.

That all said, if you don’t get applications the forum is a good place to find out what adjustments could be made. Best of luck finding just the right person/people for your wonderful sit :slight_smile:

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I had a look at your listing and looks very inviting - great pics and well written. As a sitter, it’s definitely a bonus to have a homeowner offer the use of their car. Christmas is a bit more of a difficult time to find a sitter but I think just having the car included is a huge bonus and I’m sure you won’t have any problem - best of luck!

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I think Christmas with Frank Sinatra will be popular for sure! Your sit sounds lovely and should appeal to many sitters- great that it’s family friendly. One small thing I may add if the offered car is manual or automatic. Hope you find a lovely sitter very soon and have a great first experience on THS : )

I’ve also favourited your listing, my partner’s father moved to Bovey Tracey last year, it’s beautiful there! I’d apply for sure but we are already booked up with another sit for Christmas. Having the car included sounds great with a lovely listing already, good luck!

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Also @Virginia1 to answer your question, I checked and your listing appears when searching for Exeter, Plymouth as well as Bovey Tracey and just generally The UK of course. Many sitters have saved searches set up to alert them for particular locations and dates, could be for example The UK or more specific for Exeter etc.

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thank you SO much for your advice. We actually have a pretty good system for encouraging Frankie to sleep in!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to write! very encouraging!

Thank you for your reply–we really appreciate it!

Holidays can be difficult to fill, as most sitters will be those who want to visit family in the area but whose family can’t accommodate them. The fact you’re offering a car helps make it really attractive, though.

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thank you so much for your well wishes. It’s good to know that the car is a plus.

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thank you so much for mentioning the car. Our car is automatic, so I’m hoping that makes easier for people. I will add to our listing asap.

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@Virginia1

You have nothing to worry about, I will eat my :cowboy_hat_face: if you don’t get some great sitters applying.

We are hoping to be in your area in the Spring so I have saved your listing.

If you happen to be looking for award winning sitters at that time, we’re your men!

( Full Disclosure, The award was for winning the egg and spoon race Butlins 1972 :wink: )

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Lovely looking sit. I’ve also popped in my favourites as we are still trying to decide whether we are going to stay at home or go away for Xmas. As others have said you’re sure to get lots of applications.

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There is always the map search.

But Christmas is time with great demand and low supply of sitters. It is not the best season for Dartmoor, many sitters may prefer cities then (I was in Stockholm for four weeks last Christmas) and/or warmer climes.

Your dates end before New Year. That may also make it more difficult to attract applicants.

As other sitters have commented, you have a very attractive listing @Virginia1 with two very special pets. One thing to consider in relation to use of your automatic car is that if you choose international sitters, you need to make sure your car insurance company will cover them. This has been an issue for home owners so it is worth you finding out from your company what the situation is.

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I love your listing and wish that we could stay at your house, with your lovely pets!

Two weeks at Christmas is good (not bad at all)! Lots of people want a Sitter for only 4-5 days, and that does not work well for many Sitters.

Your dates are good too! They are NOT on December 24/25 or December 31, January 1. That is really good!

Sitters have time to move in, get really, really ready for Christmas, enjoy Christmas, clean up afterwards, and move on to their next adventure for New Year’s Eve/Day!

Perfect.

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As said previously - you have a lovely home with great pets, in a good location for exploring Dartmoor.
The only aspect that I thought that might be worth thinking about is that you are offering accomodation in the main house, or if preferred in the annex.
Wouldn’t Boo be a bit lonely in the main house, if potential sitter(s) chose to stay in annex?
Incidentally, I live within 20 mile radius of Bovey on the Cornish coast. I often look for a nearby sit with quick & easy access to Dartmoor, as I am sure would other sitters.

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Actually, when I reread your email it makes me think we might want to wait until Jan 2 to return home? After all, it’s really inconvenient for people to have to move out right before New Years?

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