Hello out there-
I’m a home owner new to THS and recently posted my profile and a request for a sit. I received 1 response right away, but it is from someone with no reviews or references. The person’s profile is sparse, but seems OK. I figure everyone needs to start somewhere, but I don’t want to make big mistakes my first time out. Any advice on how to proceed?
I’d also like input on my profile as I’m not getting many responses.
Many thanks!
I personally would be very hesitant to allow a complete stranger to stay in my home while I’m away and unable to monitor what’s going on.
If I was in such a predicament I’d put my dogs in a kennel and if necessary hire someone to come by and take care of the outside of the property.
Hi, welcome! First, use the search bar to find out how to add your listing to your forum profile. After that we all can help make your listing sparkle and attract the best sitters. As you are without reviews yet you’ll need to show that you understand the exchange ethos of THS and post great photos and descriptions of your home, area, pets, etc. The fact that you’re here asking is a good sign.
I would give it a few days and see if you can attract a more experienced sitter or someone with a really robust profile and great references. Don’t get anxious and choose just anyone for your first sit, make sure it’s the right fit. I would never choose a sitter with a sparse profile and no references because if they have put such little care and effort into their own listing I would worry they may not put much effort into caring for my pets and home either.
@idocsteve, isn’t that the whole premise of housesitting?
Arguably the intent of housesitter profiles, review process and video call due diligence is to move from “complete stranger” to credibly trustworthy THS member.
@TentativeTraveler, suggest that you reach out to the applicant and ask them to fully complete their THS profile, and to add any THS reviews or external references as appropriate.
@GotYourBack What I meant to say is I’d be hesitant to allow a complete stranger to stay in my house who did not have good references and reviews from reputable sources.
You could ask about their experience ? Often hosts arrange a video call with potential sitters for a chat BEFORE confirming the sit.
How far away is your sit? Hopefully you posted at least 6 weeks out. I suggest three months out at least if you can. You can have a video chat with her. Having a chat is not an invitation for a sit. Ask the questions you asked here about her profile and experience. Don’t choose anyone just because time is running out. That can lead to a bad first experience. I do suggest posting your profile here so sitters can help you attract sitters.
Good luck.
You say you want input on your profile but we can’t see it. You have to link it.
Hello and thanks to everyone for chiming in! I just used the forum info to link my profile…I think it worked.
Hi! Your listing looks good, I like your cover photo of the mtn view, but if I were nitpicking, I would suggest following it with the photo of the front of the house, then interior pics so potential sitters can see where they would be staying.
Salida has such a charming downtown that it might be nice to include a picture of the downtown riverfront area. I would also like to know if the dogs can be taken to the local brew pubs, and for the morning walk, is hiking easily accessible, or would the sitter need to take the pups by car? If your dates are not too late to enjoy the fall colors, you may want to include that as well.
Your home looks immaculate.
I would just note if there are grocery stores nearby. You don’t list a car so are there local busses (or at least is there a store close by?). You may have more luck if you can offer a car (even if it’s a reimbursement for towards a rental car).
I just looked at your listing. You have chickens. Don’t you have to check the feed and water for the amount of time you will be away? You need to mention if sitters who have never taken care of chickens can apply. Do your chickens go back to their hen house easily in the evening? How many do you have? Do they free roam during the day or confined to an outside area with a gate. I helped a friend who owned chickens. Maybe explain how sitters retrieve the eggs. Some hens don’t move off of them.
Also add that the sitter is welcomed to the eggs they retrieve.
I checked out your listing and I suggest changing a couple of things:
Good luck. I would wait a few days to see if more people apply before choosing someone who doesn’t even have references.
I like the changes you made. Let’s hope in a few more days you will have more applicants. The best of luck!
If I was you @TentativeTraveler, I would be looking for a couple to do your sit unless this new applicant with very sparse info and no references can show they could capably look after your 2 dogs, 1 cat and chickens. Importantly would be how experienced they are in applying ointment to Odin’s eye socket which I think is new information in your listing to when they applied. Also how would Odin react to this by a stranger? Even for those of us experienced in medicating pets, it’s not always easy!
Hopefully there are numerous walks for the dogs where sitters do not want to use their own car to transport them.
Because you’re a new homeowner on THS and your only applicant so far is also new to the site, I would ask them if they can provide some character references, if not pet/house sitting references. I’ve seen plenty of sitters use colleagues, friends and even family as references. I think it sounds risky to accept that applicant if they can’t provide any references at all. It’s very possible they were too embarrassed to enlist a friend or relative to vouch for their suitability, and maybe if you ask it will put them at ease. Of course, if you wind up getting more applications from seasoned pet/house sitters all the better!
Fair enough, but then why are you even here?
welcome of the forum @TentativeTraveler
The reason that I wouldn’t apply for your sit is having to put ointment in your cat’s eye twice a day . For most of the lovely cats that I have cared for, this would not be an easy task. If you cat happily accepts this from you ,would they willingly accept it from a stranger ? Maybe add a sentence or two to explain how this is done and how easy it is ( if it is ?? ).
You also mention one dog has Trazadone but don’t say why . Since Trazadone is used to treat anxiety and other behavioural issues It would be best to state upfront why they are receiving the medication. There are plenty of sitters experienced in administering medications. However, by not disclosing your dogs anxiety / behaviour problems experienced sitters are going to think that possibly they are going to experience previously undisclosed behaviours which will require more care or potentially negatively impact their stay .
When writing the responsibility section please disclose everything upfront for the benefit of sitters who have never met your pets so that they know what to expect .
With regard to the one application already received and any future applications definitely ask about their experience with administering medications to dogs and cats .
Yes the link is there, I checked out your profile. It looks good, plenty of good quality photos and a clear description that makes it seem like it isn’t too much work.. but that also means there isn’t all that much you can change to attract more sitters. Could be there isn’t all that much interest in your location.
Thank you for the input! I’ll make a few edits on my listing.
Cheers-