u/West_Programmer_320

We need some basic filters to make this process easier.

1. Bed Size and Number - When traveling with only adults I should not have to search through 100 properties to find out they only have children's beds or a crib which would not be suitable. I know what sized bed I want when traveling and its quite important. H.E. already has the data for this in all listings.

2. We should be able to filter out non-paying members. Those who do not have an active membership and a badge are not likely to return my request for an exchange, especially if its going to cost them to pay to host. So I want to filter them out. Yes sometimes a request with them will work.

3. Why do we have smokers welcome as a filter, but not smoke free homes? Smoke free homes should be searchable.

Does anyone know why home exchange has historically been so opposed to filters?

I just wanted to share something that genuinely surprised me when we visited Egypt. But this happens in so many places.

We did the 2-day Black & White Desert tour and paid $80 USD per person. While we were there, we got talking to another traveler in our exact same group. Same vehicle, same guide, same meals, same campsite... but they had paid $250 USD.

We couldn't believe it.

After asking around, it turns out a lot of hotels and booking sites simply add huge markups for the exact same tour. The actual operators often don't even know what the final customer paid.

Before you book, do a simple search for something like. The Cheapest Way to See the Black and White Desert in Egypt

Read a few recent firsthand experiences and compare prices before you book. You'll quickly get an idea of what the tour should actually cost, and it could save you a lot of money. We have seen it for as low as $75 with a basic google search.

Hopefully this helps someone avoid paying 3x the price for the exact same experience.

I keep seeing this question come up more and more since Trusted Housesitters introduced the "time pets can be left alone" setting. There will be even less applicants when this becomes a filter.

Before asking for feedback, it may be worth looking critically at your own listing from a sitter's perspective. Most owners naturally focus on their lovely pets and comfortable home, but sitters are also weighing travel costs, time, daily routines, responsibilities, flexibility, and how your listing compares with dozens of other options.

One thing I've noticed is that these posts often receive replies like, "I'd apply if I wasn't already booked." While that's a kind sentiment, it doesn't really explain why the listing isn't attracting applications. If most sitters are scrolling past your listing, understanding why is far more valuable than reassurance.

It's also easy to overlook the investment many sitters make before they even arrive. By the time flights, fuel, transport, accommodation between sits, food, and travel time are considered, many sitters have invested more than the pet owner has in the exchange. Because of that, sitters naturally compare listings based on the overall value of the exchange.

There are actually some excellent articles online that break this down in a practical way. Try searching for topics like "Pet Owner Demand Spectrum" or "Why my Trusted Housesitters listing isn't getting applicants." They look at the factors that influence whether sitters apply and encourage owners to evaluate their listings objectively rather than relying only on opinions in the comments of serial posters. I would skip the sponsored results

Constructive feedback is far more useful than simply saying a listing looks fine. Understanding what might be increasing the demands on sitters, whether it's strict schedules, multiple pets, limited time away from the house, or difficult travel logistics at least gives owners something they can actually improve.