We’re about to have our first trusted house sitter come. We have a very complete Welcome Guide, but would love to know from sitters what are the “extras” that make a sit feel comfortable and the sitter feel valued. Some have suggested a welcome “basket,” restaurant gift card or bottle of wine (whi…

@jonnastar6 , fantastically thoughtful question. Suggest that many gestures would be welcomed by a housesitters. Already great ideas noted. In case helpful, weblink to a related Forum thread below. [image] Green flags Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat Rather a …

I am not a fan of an open ended question where an answer may be a ‘gotcha’. We offer use of our car upfront so no need for sitters to ask. If sitters have questions (eg I’m bringing my own car, is there off street parking?) then of course we answer those. But to ask ‘Is there anything you need?’ …

[image] WeRPAWsome: A comfortable bed with good linen and pillows. Sitters talk about this more than welcome baskets “A comfortable bed with good linen and pillows. Sitters talk about this more than welcome baskets” – cannot emphasize this enough! Currently wrapping a month long sit with old …

[image] Felinelover: I am not a fan of an open ended question where an answer may be a ‘gotcha’. ??? We ask lots of open ended questions when arranging a match. I imagine we all do, both sitters and hosts. Gotcha answers are not a goal but the possibility is there. Either way, the ques…

I guess where we differ is when arranging a match, on the initial video chat, open ended questions are fine (‘tell us about yourself, what interests you about this sit, etc’'). I don’t ask these specific questions about diet, allergies, etc until well after the sit is confirmed and we are 2 weeks a…

I hope you will mention this in your review?

Head here for some great tips for your future management of this problem. :smiley: I’m living and learning. Newbie Sitter Needs Comfy Bed & Nice Bed Pillows

[image] Felinelover: And 2 weeks away from a sit, I am certainly not going to ask ‘do you need anything’ - I am only going to ask about what I feel comfortable providing. Based on your participation here, I’m under the impression you are a welcoming and thoughtful host who treats sitters as t…

@jonnastar6 I have to agree with the other comment by I believe it was a sitter, about the oddity of prefering no alcohol in your home, even when you are not there. I have never been asked that or seen that on any listing. So that needs to be on your profile to be honest, if its that big of a deal …

Most definitely! I also suggested the PO update the listing, as many things are outdated (or maybe never existed).

Thanks! I actually saw your post this morning. I’m over 20+ sits now, with only 2 that had bad beds thankfully!

What are the “extras” that make a sit feel comfortable and the sitter feel valued?

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat

MTBer 22 May 2026 17:55 84

Head here for some great tips for your future management of this problem. I’m living and learning. Newbie Sitter Needs Comfy Bed & Nice Bed Pillows

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What are the “extras” that make a sit feel comfortable and the sitter feel valued?

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