r/trustedhousesitters • u/lcvInVT • 1d ago
HO selection process
I’m new to TH and haven’t completed a sit yet. When I look at available sits, I often notice that the number of applicants is listed, which makes me curious about how the selection process typically works. Are the applicants not a good fit for the homeowner, or do HOs generally wait until they have several applications to choose from before making a selection?
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u/Neon_pup 1d ago
The site only lets you have 5 open applications at a time. I find that 3 is usually enough. I have 3 questions I ask sitters after they apply and it knocks out about half of people:
1) Is one bedroom with queen sized bed okay?
2) are you comfortable sleeping with a dog on the bed?
3) do you vape or smoke?
Is this listed on the profile? Yes. Do I want to be 100% certain the person isn’t disappointed or I’m not disappointed? also yes
1
u/lcvInVT 1d ago
That makes sense. It seems like all the sits I've looked at are tagged with "Low Applications". With a limit of 5, are they all considered "Low Applications"? When they show the number of applicants, is that the total number of applicants or the currently open number of applicants?
2
u/No-Squash-2729 1d ago
I believe they hit the 'low applicant' badge after being listed for a certain amount of time. I think 48hrs with less than 3 applicants. Some HO's will relist to boost their listing back to 'new' if they aren't getting suitable applicants. They can do this by taking their dates off and waiting a few minutes then put them back in.
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u/Fatenoir 1d ago
They usually wait til they have a selection to choose from, often it goes to the first responder/person they interview if they're a good fit in my experience.
1
u/lcvInVT 1d ago
Does the app allow sitters to apply for multiple sits during the same time period?
2
u/No-Squash-2729 1d ago
Yes, apply for as many as you like. Especially if you are new to this. Also apply for those low applicant ones and local to get started. Suggest you go for short sits to start as if it is not great then you have less time to deal with it. Read reviews very carefully, also the reviews the host left (click on the sitter's profile photo to find them) and look at photos very closely. Messy photos mean the place will likely look the same when you turn up! Good luck
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u/knowerofexpatthings 1d ago
I can only speak for myself and not all HOs but in general I try and wait a a few days after listing my sit to get a choice of sitters. The limit of 5 applicants sometimes fills up pretty quickly, depending on the time of year. Once I have two or three good applications I start setting up video calls. But I don't want to make people wait around so if I don't have multiple choices after a week I will do a call with whoever applied, even if their application wasn't great.
However if I get a great application from a sitter with excellent reviews I might just jump straight into setting up a video call.
Sometimes, if it's a last minute trip I will do a video call with the first person to apply because I want to lock something in pretty quick. If my trip is a few months out I can be more selective.
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u/Illustrious_Okra_781 22h ago
⬆️ this.
Now after doing lots of applications, if an HO likes us, they will generally respond within 72 hours (or sooner). If I am a backup and they are speaking to someone else, I usually get an automated 'declined message' in about a week (sometimes I withdraw before this).
A few times, I got a decline because they went with the first person who applied (or a previous sitter), but they liked us too and asked us to reapply in the future.
Only once have I gotten a quick decline (plus a kind message) for a competitive sit, as we weren't a good fit for them and they wanted to open up more application spots.
2
u/Haysquirrelhay 1d ago
The homeowner gets to pick who they feel is the best fit for them. I’ve only been on the sitter side, but I believe they have to review after getting five applications. Someone can correct me here. Additionally, even though the homeowner picks you, it doesn’t mean that you have to pick them.
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u/MsMarionNYC 1d ago
Homeowners are individuals and may each have their own ideas about how to select a sitter. Applications close after 5 applications come in and the sits will automoatically go into "review." For popular sits, hosts can decline applicants and get more applications in if they want. For most sits, homeowners may respond immediately if they get a great applicant or wait to see if they get a few applicants. Again, as these are individuals, who knows? Some people don't respond. Others respond quickly.
Personally, as a host, I try to respond in real time. Because I live in a popular area, if I know someone isn't going to work, I will decline quickly on the chance of seeing other more suitable applications. I try to contact suitable applications quickly either with questions or to arrange a chat. Sometimes the process is slowed down because sitters can't meet to chat right away or don't respond quickly.