I’m in a really crappy situation, I’m going to Turkey with my boyfriend for a month and he just bought a house. We will close on the house less than 10 days before we leave. I tried to make a post with info about the new house, but won’t be able to take pictures until after we close, leaving almost no time to find a sitter. I have made a post with pictures of my current house which is less desirable. We leave on March 13 and I’m really panicking about finding someone. Can you look at my listing and tell me what I should do?
(Listing link added to member’s forum profile to meet posting terms)
Sorry you’re having trouble getting applications. You mention moving and not having pictures of new house but profile says that’s the rooms?! Maybe the fact you’re moving makes applicants nervous. You also highlighted VERY low maintenance but that Lucy needs let out at least four times a day. You’d need someone who was home all day and that’s maybe not possible, she’s a big dog and people may prefer to have her out walking to run of energy etc.
Your home looks great! I am positive you will find someone for this nearly month long sit!
I think you should read your listing from the perspective of a potential sitter. There are lots of things you could do to make it better. Just stick to the basics. State where in Seattle is your home. Seattle is a big place.
Do you have a backyard? You say to just let the dog run outside, but that is not clear.
Keep your ad very simple. Basic. It sounds complicated. I would attract a Sitter with what you have; your home is great. You do not even have to mention that you are moving. Just leave that part out. It does not matter that you are moving, as long as the Sitter and your pets are going to stay in your current home.
Once you are actually talking to someone, if the Sitter might have a choice where to stay, you could explain that your boyfriend is buying a house very soon and it is nicer and in X location and if Sitter would prefer the other house, they could choose.
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Your post is a bit confusing…will you be moving before the sit starts or not? If you’re trying to say that the current house does not represent where the sit will be taking place, I would have posted the listing images of the place the sit will take place with floorpan, then made a deck of your current home to show the design style of the previous home so that people have an idea of where they’ll be, but also understand look and feel of what the new place will look like, assuming you are going to be unpacked and staged before the sit starts. I would not want to go into a place blind. If you don’t have images of the new place, go take some decent ones in good lighting so you have something to show. Keep in mind, though, that this could be off-putting for some people.
We have a sit scheduled this summer and will most likely be moving beforehand. We communicated the transition to the HS that we chose for the sit BEFORE the sit was confirmed and clarified that the location would be similar distance to city centre as we are now with transit links and the look and feel would be similar to what we currently have posted (as I will once again be decorating the space). The HS didn’t care, as they were WFH and what mattered to them was getting to spend time with our dog.
There is nothing wrong with your current house, but it’s unclear where in Seattle it is, as @PVGemini mentioned. Given you’re in Seattle, I’d also make it clear where you are, i.e. what’s the nearest transit link and highlights, etc.
I personally am fond of just making bullet points for responsibilities
- feed cats x/day
- let dog out in garden x/day, no walks necessary
Worst case,
- have a back up plan with a local sitter or family member
- reach out to people who have favourited your listing
- once you get to 14 days, I believe you can ask TH forum to post a last-minute appeal
- …
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Just to say that this is probably a super stressful time but isnt it amazing that your boyfriend is now on the property ladder and you’re about to go to Turkey for a month! And he just got his green card - there’s a lot to congratulate you on.
Do the cats go outside/have a litterbox? And where does everyone sleep? Those are the two questions I’d have based on your listing. Along with how long Lucy can be left for.
It looks like youve really simplified the listing as it doesn’t read as confusing to me. It could be worth deleting and readding the dates so it shows as new again? For anyone who read it and dismissed the first time around.
If it’s at all possible to get a picture of the living room space looking a little brighter that could help too.
It’s a nice listing though! Good luck finding someone. I do think the people desperate for longer sits (usually digital nomads) book up quite far in advance but surely there’ll be someone out there. And yeah as someone mentioned, 7 days out you can post on the last minute page of the forum and request THS forum owners to add your listing to a THS facebook page.
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Thank you for the feedback! I left out the part about me moving and explained the backyard situation for my dog. I hope that helps!
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It did help!! I got two applications, thank you all so much for your helpful and kind feedback!!
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Nice one! Make sure to talk to them quickly and, if you like them, get it confirmed on the app 
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I see that your listing now states “15 minutes from downtown,” but you still have not stated the area or neighborhood. Why not? This can make a huge difference for potential sitters!!! We want to deal with Owners who are savvy and can see the world from our point of view.
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I live in Seattle, and “15 minutes from downtown” (assuming by car - are you providing one?) is very ambiguous. I agree that you should list your neighborhood, and unless you are providing a car, be clearer about the public transit options - are you close to light rail? Is there a bus line on your street that runs frequently?
When I first made the listing it told me not to be too specific about where I live for privacy reasons- I’ve told the applicants what neighborhood I’m in so I think we’re all good. I also don’t need 100 applicants, I’m super happy with my first one and will meet with her when I get home from the weekend trip I’m on. Thanks all for your advice but I’m all good now! 
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@bekaworley you can ask a moderator to close this thread …