How to Get Your First House Sit with No Reviews

Your first house sit is the hardest one to get. After that, it gets exponentially easier. Here's exactly how I went from zero reviews to a fully booked schedule.

I got my first house sit with zero reviews by stacking the odds in my favor instead of competing where everyone else applies. You need to understand that for your first sit, it might not be a dream destination - your goal is to do a great job and get a positive review.

1. The Strategy of Risk Removal

New sitters usually fail because they apply to popular destinations for long stays with generic messages. You're competing against sitters with dozens of five-star reviews. You will lose every time.

Instead, you need to remove as much perceived risk as possible. Make it easy for a homeowner to say "yes" by choosing situations where they have fewer options and you can prove yourself quickly.

2. Choose High Demand, Low Competition Locations

This is the most important strategy for getting your first sit.

• Off-Season Cities: I happened to be in Austin, Texas for a work project during the middle of summer. It was brutal heat, so competition was low, but homeowners were desperate for sitters while they fled to cooler climates. It was perfect timing.
• Less Famous Areas: Target local suburbs or smaller cities where the "Instagram" crowd isn't looking.
• Peak Travel Windows: Apply for sits during major holidays when every owner is looking for help at the same time (Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer vacation season).

3. Start with Cats and Short Stays

Cats are usually much easier to care for and fewer things can go wrong. Homeowners generally feel more flexible about who they hire for a 3-day cat sit compared to a 3-week multi-dog assignment.

Why short stays work for beginners:

• Lower risk for the homeowner (less commitment)
• Easier for you to manage as a first-timer
• Faster path to getting that crucial first review
• Less competitive than long-term sits

4. Write Applications that Remove Anxiety

Your message is not about convincing someone you're amazing. It's about making them feel calm about leaving. Before you even start applying, make sure your profile is strong and complete.

Avoid long travel manifestos about your bucket list or life philosophy.

5. Acknowledge You're New (Strategically)

Don't hide that you're new to the platform, but frame it positively:

6. Be Flexible with Dates

One of your biggest advantages as a new sitter is flexibility. If you can adjust your schedule to fit what the owner needs, mention it:

• "I'm flexible with arrival/departure times"
• "Happy to arrive a day early for a detailed handover"
• "Can extend if your plans change"

This removes friction and shows you're accommodating.

7. Apply Early and Often

New listings get the most attention. Set up alerts and apply within the first few hours of a sit being posted. Once you have your profile and template ready, you can use AI to apply quickly to competitive sits.

Don't be discouraged by rejections. Even experienced sitters get rejected regularly. Read my article on why applications get rejected to understand the factors (many of which are completely outside your control). Keep applying to the right types of sits (short, less competitive, off-season).

The Snowball Effect

Here's what changes after your first sit:

• You have a verified five-star review
• You can reference specific experience in applications
• Owners see you're trusted by others

After a few sits, you'll notice the dynamics completely shift. Suddenly you're competitive for better locations and longer assignments.