Just posted for the first time

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
21

Hi, Thanks for your thoughts… I have the same concerns–that Christmas is a difficult time. Our house is really cosey in the winter with its two wood-burning stoves plenty of wood, and two boilers, but yeah people would need to be up for dealing with the weather.
Best,Virginia

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22

Christine thanks for your kind words. I’m thrilled to know you’re interested.

23

Hi Colin,

Great to hear from you! The spring might work out perfectly because we’re traveling back to the States in early May for probably about 10 days.

Thanks,

Virginia

24

Yes, it would probably attract more applicants if there was a possibility to stay until after New Year. Also because your location is rural.

Your place sounds great for a couple to spend the holidays, very cosy. But as a single sitter, I only like such locations in the summer.

25

That’s a good point about Honey. She does like to be in the centre of things!

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26

Thanks so much for your reply–it’s good to know that long stays are preferred.

27

Posting your dates as flexible is always going to broaden the pool of potential applicants. I usually post as the first line of my listing something like “The December 2024 sit dates are flexible; we could return on January 2nd if that’s more convenient to the sitter”.

28

I think longer is better, especially at the holidays. I see that January 2, 2025 is a Thursday. People who work might return to work that day (even remote work). I don’t know what is “normal” in the UK with people returning to work after the holidays, as I live in the US.

Your potential pool of Sitters might be largest if you return on the weekend, January 4/5, if it is all the same to you!

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29

I see you already have an application and there’s still plenty of time. While it’s true that you would get a bigger choice if your dates are flexible, I would not assume that the longer the better for everyone and of course it is your holiday, you get to choose your dates if you can find someone to take care of Frank and Honey.
In my opinion, you should let the dates as they are but add that you are willing to discuss them with potential sitters. I would prefer that wording because “flexible dates” sometimes mean the owner is not sure yet not that they are open to discussion.

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30

Thanks, Val. That’s very helpful advice!

31

Thanks, that’s very helpful. I do want people to know that if they want to stay through New Year’s, we would be happy to consider/discuss.