Hello, I joined TH a few weeks ago and so far have not found a sitter for our listing. We have flight tickets which we are not going to cancel and I am getting very nervous about not being able to find a great house sitter. I have followed guideliens, uploaded plenty of pictures and reached out to at least 20 prospective sitters. So far everyone has decided my request. I really wanted this website to work and I believe it’s a great idea but I’m not sure what to do now. I read that I can request my money back if noone applies after 2 weeks of posting the listing.
However, one person applied but she stated in her text that she ia not sure she can do my dates. We exchanged a couple messages and haven’t heard from her for days. So this is not really an application.
I am a little discouraged. I would appreciate some good advice.
Thanks!
Hi @KRISSY27 I suggest you put a link to your sit in your forum profile so people on here can see your sit listing and give you feedback on it and potentially there could be a sitter on the forum who might be available.
New to this site, but after a nervous couple of days of waiting, I got 4 sit offers and 3 of them were great – and you only need one. So I guess I’m saying “quality over quantity” works for me.
We have been using TH for three weeks and are looking for a sitter in preparation for a trip in August.
So far we’ve only recieved 1 unsuitable application and its becoming a worry.
I’ve made changes to the listing and boosted it but I’m not sure what else I can do? I have invited those who have saved our post and while most seem excellent they have all made arrangements elsewhere. Its becoming discouraging as we live in a heavily touristed area during summer months so I thought we might do better!
@DeeDee401 , add your THS listing to your forum profile. Here are the instructions:
How to Add your Listing or Profile to Your Forum Profile
Besides getting much more exposure, many seasoned members here will be able to give you tips on how to improve your listing to attract more applicants. Some readers on the forum may even be interested in applying too. Good luck.
Hi Dixi05. My listing is linked. Can you Direct Message me?
Beth
KRISSY27, welcome to Trusted Housesitters and the Community Forum. I believe you said you were looking for August sit, so be patient and I am sure you will receive more applications. It’s a super busy time right now with summer just getting started.
I noticed you do not have your profile linked to the forum. By linking it, members can see your requests right away and you may find you will get quicker responses. To link the profile, please follow below:
Give yourself a little more time and if you still have issues, make sure you come back on the Forum so it can be addressed for you.
I am here and just had two house sits cancelled due to legitimate reasons. Still perusing daily to see if anything suits.
Are you able to add your listing or profile link to your FORUM profile as posted by Debbie (Moderator) above? Curious as to where you are. Thanks!
We just upgraded our premium sitter membership to joint home owner/sitter membership so we could find a sitter to look after our place in Queensland, Australia during our 5 month UK trip this year. Afer reading this thread I was a bit worried we wouldn’t get anyone to do such a long sit despite our home being a beachside apartment with no pets. I’m very happy to report we got 19 applications in the first 24 hours and I had to pause the listing. We just had a Zoom call with the first applicants, who are from the UK and are delightful and we invited them to do our sit. 
Thanks for taking the time @Crookie to report back with this positive feedback! 19 applicants in 24 hours is awesome, as is signing up sitters as quickly. In reality many, many sits are filled quickly and successfully, but it’s good for new members arriving at this thread to be reassured that this is how it works most of the time! When do you arrive in the UK? Before the end of summer I hope!! I just flew in from Mexico this morning and it’s glorious!! All the best, Vanessa
Hi @Vanessa-ForumCMgr we are coming to the UK for winter! We arrive 25 November and are sitting to end of March 2023. Sounds strange arriving for winter I know but we have 6 months of summer here in Queensland October to April so we tend to chase cold weather sits when everyone else wants the sun. We are hoping to see snow over Christmas instead of 35 degrees and 80% humidity!
And @Crookie were these successful sitters in the first 5 applications??? Or would you have missed out on them if you were trialling the new system of pausing listings after 5 applications had been received??
Hi there. My name is Tabitha, and I am new to THS. I live in the Cotswolds with my husband and two boys. I am hoping to find a sitter for my dog Rhubarb in August but have had no luck. Getting pretty anxious about it! Has anyone else had difficulty finding sitters? Is there a solution? Thanks in advance for your help. Tabby
Hi @tabithaneville - Your home looks lovely and the location is great. It looks like a lot of pets but most don’t need much time so should not put too many sitters off. The snake and skink ( I had to google it so might need a little explanation) may be off putting for some sitters so I would be clear whether or not any handling will be necessary. Also, do the cats have a cat flap or do they have to be let in and out?
You pics look good except there is no picture of the bedroom - the most important room of the house to many sitters - definitely add one.
Finally, Is a car really essential? If it is and there is no public transport then fair enough but if there is a way that non driving sitters can get to yours from the train station ( maybe even offer a lift ) then I would explain that in your listing and remove the ‘Sitters need a car’ tag - this will instantly double the number of potential sitters available.
How long have you had you listing on the site? It does look lovely and I will be really surprised if you don’t get any applications - Good Luck x
Hi @tabithaneville I agree with Colin’s comments. Keep in mind that you are competing for a sitter’s attention. I will mention that your headline is the first sales pitch for your listing so choose your words wisely. On a website search it will only show about three of your first words, and on the app a few more. Starting with ‘two weeks’ is unnecessary as the search displays the date range and pets.
I would switch out your first photo for the one of Rhubarb looking towards the right of the photo (to his left). It will stand out amongst other photos of homes. Whatever first photo you select, make sure it’s landscape layout (not portrait) as otherwise the system crops the photo.
In Rhubarb’s daily routine, I would move your end comment about there being a lot of flexibility in his routine to the start, rather than at the end. Otherwise, some may stop reading when there appears to be so many things to consider.
If I were in the UK, I’m confident I could do that sit without a car, based on your description. I would need to look into how complicated it might be to get myself there and back to public transit, and would of course appreciate a lift, if offered. Some sitters will independently search to see how they would get themselves there, but if you want to appeal to as many sitters as possible, then add those details into your listing (and remove ‘sitters need a car’. Some sitters will pass you by if the information is not provided.
Hello there
Thank you for this Colin. All good suggestions. I will cwrtainly add some more detail. Sadly a car is necessary. We have an electric car charger so i will mention that too. I did think i had included a pic of the bedroom but i will check.
Thus listing has been up since mid May and no one has applied to do it. Having a slight panic!
Thank you again for your fantastic suggestions.
Take care
Tabby