Hello
I am very new to Housesitters and I posted my first sit a few days ago. I only got 1 response and she only has 1 review.
Can you please help me improve my profile. I hope I have sucessfully linked it.
Many thanks, Eva
Hi Eva,
I would skip this sit mainly because your place looks cluttered and untidy.
My general rule of thumb is if the HO doesn’t clean up for picture, they definitely won’t clean up for the Sitter.
Wash and put away the dishes, clean off counter tops, make the beds 
, remove all the stuff around the computer table, remove random junk on the floor. Do a deep declutter and clean up and take new pictures. You’ll get more sitters. Sitters are very wary of dirty and cluttered homes!
Also, it seems like a lot of plants to water! Maybe give an estimation the time it would take per day.
I think your house looks lovely. If I was in USA would certainly apply. Amazing views.
Your profile looks pretty good. Since you are new I want to caution you that reviews listed for sitters are not always actual THS reviews. They are easy to identify if you look closely. The actual THS reviews are what you should be looking for and reading very carefully. They should have a overall star rating, then 5 subcategories of ratings. Read the written reviews from prior sits, read the sitters reviews of other Homeowners. Since you are new, I highly suggest you stick to seasoned THS sitters with many good reviews IF YOU can attract them to apply. Always conduct a video chat for a compatibility check. Dont call it an interview, sitters find this off-putting. (I have Combo Membership, had 7 sitters, all good so far, have done only 1 sit, went well in all directions)
I suggest the following tweaks to improve.
- edit the Header to something like - Cute Cats in LA Suburbs (the pool unless heated likely wont be used in late October based on a weather check i just did)
- change the 1st pic to the two cats with great lighting close up, side by side on the turquoise blanket (those golden eyes and blue eyes melt my heart)
- I would put the End Date Flexible as 1st sentence of your Introduction
Otherwise, i think you have done a great job with your profile. A cat-only sit is highly desirable as it offers great flexibility for someone. Be sure you have a Plan B lined up regardless if you get to a confirmation stage, as sometimes things happen beyond anyone’s control, sometimes without much notice. Other forum members will have good stuff to suggest also.
Thanks so much for the useful feedback. I did collect the photos in a hurry to get the listing up. I will declutter and retake.
It is kind of a lot of plants in the back yard but I can mention that with the hose it only takes about 10 minutes to walk around the yard and water. Thanks again for your helpful feedback.
I would keep your pool as main picture.
I’ve seen houses with much more clutter so I didn’t notice any the first time I looked at your pictures. But yes, things could be a bit tidier. But you have a nice looking house and the cats are adorable. I’d just give it time. Your dates are a ways off. But please get back to your applicant. Don’t leave them hanging while you wait for more applicants. I think it is reasonable being new to the site to want someone with more experience, but we all started with no THS reviews and this sitter could be perfect.
Is this a review or a reference ?
Reviews say “ verified review “
If it is a review from a THS sit - we’re the rated 5 stars ?
@Eva22 Please in mind you are also new to THS and have no reviews at this point in time .
Out first three sits on THS ( when we had no reviews ) were for hosts who were also new members and had no reviews . We all have to start somewhere. ( We now have 40+ 5 star reviews )
I like your house. I would remake the first bed as that is messy and a turn off. If that one person has a good review from a THS host, by all means book her. She will do another great job as she is trying to collect 5 stars just like you are. I won’t sit for a brand new host so if you see someone with a good review who is interested, by all means book her.
Hi Eva,
Welcome to the forum!
I like your listing. There’s always some room for improvement and you have received great advice already. I’m sure you will have great applications, perhaps even the one you already have, you could have a chat with them and see how it goes.
Did you tick the option “pets can be left alone for up to 8 hours”?
That’s what I see on my phone but there are inconsistencies with that field and I would appreciate it if you could confirm that.
Good luck!
Couple of notes:
- Water potted plants outside weekly. It looks like there are quite a few pots. How long might this take?
- Add water to pool weekly - not sure how long of a task this is.
- Many sitter/tourists don’t want to to drive/bus hours to get to attractions. There are fewer sitters (like us) who actually prefer the suburbs.
- Your sit looks pretty good. I think you will have an easier time once you have even 1 positive review.
I think your home & the kittens look & sound lovely, and would definitely target your sit if I were looking for something near-ish LA.
I think the current photos look pretty good for the most part, so will only add a few small tweaks for thought:
— Maybe edit your title to mention the mountain views as well as the pool, like:
Enjoy my peaceful oasis with pool & mountain views in lovely LA suburb (ending sit-date flexible)
— Per other comments, make photos of first bedroom as comfortable-looking & attractive as possible; sitters are especially interested in where they’ll be sleeping & the bathroom they’ll be expected to use. Additionally, label photos and/or indicate which BR/BA are available to sitters
— You note you’ve done house-shares previously; any possibility of linking to past reviews somewhere to ‘toot your own horn?’
Wishing you the best of luck, but I think you’ll do fine, outside of the general challenge with the sitter shortage we’re struggling through atm. That said, your sit would be high on my list if traveling to that area of the country. 
Wow! Just checked your listing again and it looks fabulous!! The new pictures are wonderful!!
So much better! Good luck!
If I were available I would definitely apply!
Thanks so much for you frank feedback. It really helped and for your support!
Eva
She actually listened, and took action right away! So impressed.
Oh my…just looked at your updates — stunning & picture purrr-fect…and I see you have more applicants now. Well done!!!
Wow! Great job!
Great job. Listing looks tempting to me, even though I won’t go to the US currently, in the future though… And isn’t it nice when someone actually takes helpful advice on board and acts on it 
As July 17th everything looks great.
@Eva22 I see you now have three applicants. It’s important to promptly deal with them, either by declining or following through. Suggesting a video call (or personal visit to your home, if local) will help both you and the sitter determine if they’re a good fit.
Don’t think you have to wait for five applications as some sitters will withdraw their application when owners don’t respond within a day or two. Good sitters are in high demand in most areas and may have more than one application for dates that would conflict with yours. If you delay, they may confirm a different and then be unavailable.