I live in a small two bedroom ranch. It’s nothing fancy. I think that most house sitters are looking for the big luxurious house and I can’t compete. I’m wondering if anyone else has run into this problem.
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As a sitter, I am not looking for a big house or for luxury. I am travelling on my own, one bedroom is enough for me.
And a pleasant liveable living room where I do not need to be afraid of me or the pet breaking precious antiquities.
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I value cleanliness and neatness most. I avoid sits with photos that include clutter.
I own two homes that are larger and nicer than most, both on sprawling lots and one with a pool. I sit for changes of place and the company of different pets, not so I can stay at better (or even equal) homes.
Tomorrow, I’m leaving for a sit in a one bedroom in London. It’s a much more lived-in, modest place, but I saw in photos and on video that it’s clean and orderly. I’m looking forward to London and the company of a sweet cat. I have a dog that is highly reactive to other animals, so I get my cat fix by sitting.
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I have had sits in small apartments and large homes with stunning views. To me, they all had good and less than ideal aspects. The small apartment was on the 3rd floor and dog walking was very restrictive. The beautiful house was a 30 minute drive to anything. Your place would not deter me.
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We are not all looking for luxury. I’ve done sits in large homes, small homes, small one bedroom condos/flats. I’m doing a repeat sit soon in a two-bedroom 2nd floor condo. It was one of my favorite sits and I’m looking forward to going back. The most important things to me are cleanliness, that I have a comfortable place to sleep, and that the host is clear and honest about all aspects of the sit including the home itself, the location, and the information about the pets, their needs and their behaviors.
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I think there may be a minority of sitters who are looking for luxury but, speaking for myself, I go for the dates, area and pets - not necessarily in that order. I’ve lived in a variety of homes and, as others say, as long as they’re clean and have some space for my clothes/food I’m happy. As @pietkuip says, I only need one bedroom and recently sat in a one bedroom flat with 2 cats
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I agree with others here- we’ve stayed in everything- from one bedroom flats in cities & villas by the sea to huge mansions with pools in the countryside etc and all have pros & cons! We try to go for the whole package- cool pets and cool (friendly, generous)hosts! Comfortable clean home & a good, preferably larger, bed with a supportive mattress!
If your home ticks my boxes above, and if it is where I want to be, at the right time, with pets I like, then I’d apply!
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it’s not about the destination but the journey
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Welcome @Gailzambon
As a sitter of 15 months I’ve sat in 1 bed flats and 7 bedroom mansions. It’s more about the location, the cleanliness of the property and what pets I’m sitting for.
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What we love is a clean home, ample supplies, good instructions, and a friendly host. Even though we apply as a big family, we have stayed in 2 bedroom homes (kids sleep on their sleeping mats) and we still loved it. Kids are happy because there is less area to clean on departure day.
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I’m guessing there are sitters like that, but I’m not one of them. For me it’s primarily location, pets that I would like to spend time with, owners that seem appreciative and friendly, and a clean tidy home.
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One of our favorite repeat sits is in a modest inner suburban ranch home. It’s cozy, spotless, full of art and light, and has a darling garden and patio. The pet is a standout, and the owners are super communicative and friendly.
For me personally, I do enjoy an amenity or two that I don’t have at home, but sometimes this is just a really nice high-powered stove, a great espresso machine, or a cool soaking tub.
Luxury properties come with a lot of responsibilities and often homeowners have a more extensive list of tasks that need to be handled. Pools, grounds, hot tubs, fixtures may all require special attention.
If I’m really after a relaxing trip with luxury, I’m much more likely to give myself a few days in a nice hotel, where I have zero responsibility other than enjoying myself as a paying customer.
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More than anything, I want a place that is clean and well-appointed in a good location (which can be a tranquil spot in nature, a bustling city, or myriad of other things). I’m also looking for pets that I know I can care for, location, dates that make sense…lots of factors.
Luxury is great sometimes…so is a cozy and homey other times.
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Fancy houses are sometimes not as comfortable as the more basic homes. I am scared that I might break something. I can afford to replace an IKEA glass but Royal Dalton is just not possible. 
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Royal Doulton comes in relatively inexpensive sets as well. And I figure if you’re a HO with stuff that’s expensive or irreplaceable, you should put away pieces and/or have insurance if you want strangers living among them. Even if sitters are careful, accidents happen.
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Thank you for the welcome!
No definitely not off-putting, the couple of big homes I’ve sitted in, I ended up closing off most of the doors and sticking to the kitchen, snug and garden - otherwise there’s too much to go wrong!
Just finished a tiny little sit in London, but with the cutest dog ever and it was great! My most repeated sit is a very normal house on an estate because I can’t get enough of the gorgeous dogs!
Like others have said, it’s clutter and messiness that is actually much more of an issue and these type of homes show up in all contexts, as do clean and tidy homes.
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