???
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 questions and answers are how we get to know each other. That’s hardly risky. Based on your full reply, we share virtually the same process.
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 away from starting the sit. Otherwise, their dietary preferences are irrelevant if one or the other party needs to cancel, so no need to know about them when first determining if there is a match.
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.
I hope you will mention this in your review?
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
Based on your participation here, I’m under the impression you are a welcoming and thoughtful host who treats sitters as the guests they are in your home. I can’t imagine not asking a guest if they need anything. It’s never occurred to me such a question might be fraught with risk and the only “risk” I see in asking the question is me having to say no. I’m fine with that kind of risk.
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 to you. I started sitting with THS a couple years ago and spend 3 months in Europe each year so far, and will be returning to US next week. Most home owners leave wine, and food in fridge, the basics. Nice but not necessary. Closet space, and space in fridge is great. If I meet them before in person, usually a cooked meal, or a ride from the airpirt/train/bus station is offered. Some provide their vehicle for sitters use but that’s just going above and beyond.
I don’t usually drink much liquor other than wine. But unless you live in a very desirable location (didn’t see you mention where you live), and not a midwest/flyover state, it may be hard to secure a sitter with stringent rules, such as no alcohol. No smoking is understandable.
Try to list all the perks your home offers, before throwing in the rules. But yes be honest. Good luck.
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!
Fair enough. Personally I would be mildly offended if I were a guest somewhere, a host asked if I needed anything, I knocked on the door and said would you mind if I borrowed a sweater as it’s colder outside then I thought it would be. Then the host says, um no I don’t lend out my clothes. Well ok then but ask more specifically then - like, can I offer you water or a beverage? I wouldn’t stomp out and leave, but I wouldn’t ask for anything else either.
Also, as sitters arrive we are also leaving and have our own packing and preparations to make. So if I offer a sitter ‘Do you need anything’ and they give me a week’s worth of grocery/specialty items to buy for them, sorry but no. Also, as another example, if they say would you mind picking up this prescription from the pharmacy for me? Also a no, I’m not comfortable handling other people’s medications. So I wouldn’t ask a question if I already know there are limits to what I can/will do when we ourselves are leaving. Instead I offer what Im happy to do for them, which is stock up on their morning beverage of choice and a few starter items/staples, as well as a few fun surprises. But if it gives you comfort to leave it open ended, do what works for you. Just be aware that if you offer, they ask, and you say no - it may not leave the sitter with such a good feeling about approaching you again.
I don’t share your concerns so open ended is comfortable. Not a comfort as no comfort is needed or sought. But comfortable. As is saying no to an ask too far.
All good then!
I’ve always had towels provided, to but. sometimes pretty small and thin. (I use big bathsheets at home!)
Not necessarily an ‘extra’ but I like cheese in blocks or chunks so I can cut it as I want - so a cheese plane. In 100+ sits, I’ve only sat 5 with them. So I buy a half-dozen at a time on Amazon or Temu, pack them along and leave one as a gift. They are easy to pack - lighweight and flat.
Again, Jenny, thank you and the many TS’s who responded with suggestions on how to make a sit sound appealing They helped me review my listing carefully, and I could easily see areas that could be improved. I made some important changes for the better. Plus, after listening to you all, I decided our listing was posted way too soon. It’s now deleted and we will post again, closer to the dates needed. There was confusion, not conflict, in my attempt to explain that we don’t drink and would prefer to provide a variety of hot and cold non-alcohol drinks in our welcome basket. That never meant to imply we would not approve of a sitter having a glass of wine or two nightly. Honestly with all the creative help provided here to enhance our listing, it all really comes back to treating our sitter as a trusted guest. As for the sitter, what we obviously care about mostly is how they love on our cavapoos!
What!!!
You don’t travel with your Hoover? How weird!
You clearly don’t understand the role of a good sitter. 
I had to Google that to see what a Cheese Plane was. turns out it is what we simply call a cheese slicer.
Most UK houses have them. I have one of my own I carry, a souvenir from Amsterdam.
conflicting
You are already ahead of the game just by being so thoughtful! While we have appreciated little gifts or treats left for us, the best welcome is a home where we feel expected and appreciated. Having the house clean and ready for guests. Room in the fridge and freezer are top on my list. Unless it’s a particularly long sit, we don’t usually unpack and a place for our bags is helpful. Not every home has room though. We’ve had a few sits with a “just in case” drawer or basket in the bathroom - extra toothbrush, razors, floss, toothpaste.
As others have mentioned, clear directions on what we can use in the house. I try to bring everything but a new recipe may require a spice we don’t have.
A list of emergency numbers on the fridge or counter is also appreciated. They are in the WG but that feels 3 steps away if needed in a real emergency.
Regarding looking for sitters a year out - it is a bit far but there are some of us who do plan our calendars well in advance. As a HO, I sometimes had this problem. I learned to be patient. As a sitter, I will sometimes jump on those listings if it fits in our plans.