@Sarah977
Yep, the listing title even says 'house'. You'd be surprised at how many guests message me referring to my 'apartment' though.
The guest's profile says, "Through my Airbnb experience, I wish to meet interesting people and build long-lasting relationships all around the world." However, his message seems to contradict that. It's totally impersonal. Maybe he just wants to get his basic questions out of the way before engaging in chit chat, but at least have the courtesy to read the listing and only ask questions that are not covered there. He should not need to ask me if he can use the kitchen for example.
His third question indicates that he might have an issue about having other guests here, because he hasn't asked who he will be sharing with, but rather what is the maximum number so he can decide if it's too many.
Also, of the six hosts who have left reviews for him, he's only bothered to review three of them. Maybe he was dissatisfied (they all look like very nice places) and didn't want to say anything negative or maybe he couldn't be bothered. The former would just confirm he's a very picky guest. The latter would confirm that he doesn't care too much about other people. If you wanted to build long-lasting relationships, leaving a review for the host when they have done so for you, would be a good start.
I think you are spot on about the host perhaps letting this guest push her around. Her reviews are mostly excellent, but here is her response to one that mentioned the kitchen being very dirty:
"X, we apologize for the unclean kitchen and will make sure to check again next time. We rushed when you asked if you could check in 5 hours before the checking time and focused in disinfecting. We apologize if the counter was sticky, and as for the dishes we had to leave them in the dishwasher so you could check in earlier. We still had it ready 2 hours before checking in, but I learned my lesson, when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting we can’t rash to allow early check in."
I would absolutely never agree to let a guest check in five hours early if it meant I couldn't complete the cleaning. I have had guests really harass me about checking in hours early and my answer is always, no, no, no. I will not budge on that one at all unless most of the cleaning has already been done the day before.
You can tell by the other reviews that the host is extremely kind, attentive and accommodating, but maybe too accommodating. Whenever there is some sort of problem, her response indicates that she bent over backwards, e.g. early check in, late check out, extra discounts and so on.
It seems to me that, as in the case of the guest who recently left me 3 stars, saying yes to the guests who keep asking for more, more, more, doesn't necessarily mean they will leave you better ratings. I agreed to let the guest drop her bags early providing she would arrive on time (she was late), went to meet her round the corner and took her bags to the house, had her cases carried to her room, agreed to let her pick up her bags later if she would check out on time (she checked out late) but she still rated me down for check in!