Not exactly. There is a 5 application limit, when an application is withdrawn by the sitter or declined by the host, then the host can un-pause applications allowing sitters to apply until the empty spots are once again filled. The spot doesn’t just open up without that action being taken.
Thanks for clarifying. I did not know that.
Good point.
One can communicate with HOs on THS any time after the initial application—even years later.
That is red flags all the way around. If the message has been seen/read and we do not get an answer withing 3-5 days, we withdraw our application. If they want to waste your time, they do not respect your time enough. End of story and move on to another sit.
Well, 6 weeks after applying (no, I didn’t bother withdrawing; if she was ignoring it, I figured I would too 
), the host messaged asking about arrival/departure times. I said that “since applying back in August” I’d been accepted on another, and maybe it would work out another time. Got a very short acknowledgement “thanks for letting me know”.
Oh kay then… ya snoozed, ya loozed. 
She wasn’t great at communication last time. Maybe lesson learned?