We’ve been using trusted house sitters for a couple of years now and it’s been great to find awesome sitters. However recently we’ve moved to a new home and have had far less sitters applying to our sits. One major difference is we are no longer in the downtown area but we’re only 10 minutes from downtown using the local train. The train also gives access to the airport and other various parts of town. Our new house also has a backyard which we didn’t previously have living in downtown.
I’d love to get feedback or insight if I can help improve our sit. Also specifically with Denver there is an option to choose the location as “Denver the city” vs “Denver the county” and I’m not sure if it there’s a difference.
@AVP first of all, let me welcome you to the forum. There are so many great members here who are ready to answer questions or help with any concerns you may have (and now your concern in about no applications). I took a look at your profile and I think your home is beautiful and pets are precious. The only reason I can see there might be an issue is because you are showing the sit ending on July 4, and with that being a National Holiday, sitters may not want to be traveling FROM your area on that day. Is there any way they could stay an additional day so they could enjoy the local festivities instead of being on the road? Just a thought.
Also, I would suggest you link your member profile to your user profile here at How to add a listing or profile link to your FORUM profile - Welcome & Getting Started - TrustedHousesitters Community Forum and follow the easy instructions for a homeowner. Linking your profiles will give our members easy access to your profile so they can find the sit and hopefully reach out to assist.
I wish you luck!
Thanks for the feedback! And yep, I was a little worried about the fact that the sit ends on July 4th. We’re actually going to be out of town and our flight returns on the 4th but we’re totally fine with having a sitter stay until the next day. The concern is I’m not sure if a sitter would mind staying the night with us back home! Is that common?
Also for adding the link to my profile, is it not showing? I added it before posting and I followed the instructions to get the correct link but let me know if it’s still not working.
My first thought – while I never sit over holidays – is that perhaps the fact that your sit ends on July 4 may be a deterrent to some. You have mentioned that public transportation to your home is available, but most public transportation is closed or limited on July 4, highways are clogged, and if they are traveling from afar, they will not be in a position to enjoy fireworks or the holiday from anywhere. So I’m thinking it may be a transportation issue. But, like I said, I don’t personally sit over holidays, so maybe others who do can weigh in and give their thoughts.
I routinely come in a day early or leave the day after the owners return but I don’t usually ask. I think it might be helpful to list this flexibility as an option in your listing, especially if you’re coming home later in the day.