For all sits, we are competing, unless we are the only applicant. But for highly competitive sits, the HO clearly has serious power. I have searches for sits where they come up and have 5 applicants within a few hours. Unless your application really stands out against the others, do they really have to respond quickly? If I had an oceanfront home, with easy pets, with pool, hot tub, weekly cleaning, in prime season, getting 5 applicants within the first few hours, then I know if I reject the least attractive applicants, I will get more easily. There are a number of HOs asking me for repeat sits in NYS and Ontario where they have difficulty getting applicants during winter months. Then they have to act differently with applicants. It may not be a nice feeling for the sitter, but I look at it as part of the THS experience. I get some sits, some reject. I look for others. There are always others. Except New Orleans and NYC. Those I find are few, at least when I look.
I think you raise a really, really good point. Actions sometimes speak loudly than words. So maybe set up some “must haves” when “you are deciding” if you will do a housesit. Sometimes we might feel like we are the ones being interviewed only HOWEVER, if we can also get in our heads that we are also interviewing HOs. Unless you are desperate for a place to sit for economic reasons while travelling, then having your Must Haves is important I think. For example, if I see pictures of cats in kitchens on counters and islands, I won’t even bother applying. Conversely, if an owner has an expectation that their dog(s) must go to a dog park and socialize and/or have play dates with other dogs, I won’t apply. My main focus is a) the dog’s safety, b) stress level and b) overall wellbeing in my care. Does that make sense?
100% agree!
I agree. We can’t control others but we can control how we respond. I respond by withdrawing my application if I don’t hear back from them within a couple of days. I’m a prompt person and want to be matched with hosts who are also prompt.
My best sits are when the home owner contacts me within hours and it’s all set up on the same day.
Yes, mine too.
My current sit had a detailed listing, I submitted a detailed application, I had a message back asking me one question which I answered, I got an invite, I accepted. Job done!
@Mark_B is this already happening? And how long after a sitter has requested the Welcome Guide does the reminder get sent to the Home Owner? Cheers 
As a HO, I typically respond immediately and let the sitter know that we have multiple applications. We are also thinking that we might see who applied first, and if we think they are a good fit, confirm that sitter. It’s hard when you have 4-5 applications so this feels fair to us. Any thoughts on this?
It’s up to you how you select sitters but if I was an HO I would go for the best applicant, not necessarily the first. Its only timing & speed that dictates who applies first anyway. We’ve had the odd HO tell us that they’d actually love us but someone else applied first and they feel obligated to take them! There is no obligation to choose anyone who does not tick all (or enough) of your boxes! However if the first applicant IS perfect then snap them up!
In the old days (pre 5 app limit) We were once chosen for a sit in highly competitive KL. It was to be our 4th sit and we were no. 30 applicant! After 2 weeks of increasing numbers of Apps hey chose us because they were overwhelmed & could not decide on anyone. They told us later that we were the only ones who reach out with a follow up note re-expressing interest & suggesting they just choose us and we’d all be sorted! Fortunately they liked our cheekiness and it turned out to be a great Sit! 
Yes, reminders to review applications are happening now - the reminder is shown once 5 applications have been received.
Once a sitter has been confirmed, we have added a reminder for the pet parent to send the Welcome Guide (see below), this should reduce instances of sitters having to request them. 
That’s great for listings that get 5 applications, but there are many that get fewer than that and delay in responding to applicants . I had one recently that took 25 days before they read the application.
Thanks @Mark_B Is a reminder sent to the HO AFTER a sitter requests a Welcome Guide?
I think most housesits I’ve applied for have never had 5 applications because I am restricted to dates and I am not particularly fussed on area. So if a sit receives less than 5 applications, the HO doesn’t get a reminder at all to review applications? That leaves it open then until the HO can be bothered to review which could then be weeks.
Is it not possible to remind HO’s to review applications when the threshold hasn’t been met? I appreciate many sits will fill up with 5 applications but I do think that part of the reason why many HO don’t acknowledge and leave us on “read” is because they’re waiting for someone else better to come along - which is fine course, but not great for the sitter application process when it can be perceived that HO’s see us as “beneath” them. The experience for sitters needs to be improved.