How to book a place before anybody else gets the listing upon unlocking by host

[Douglas183]

A host is holding his dates for me by blocking them. He plans to unblock them and I will sign up simultaneously. The problem is that his place is in such high demand, and the server is slow. There has to be a better way of him offering his dates to me other than trying to time it together. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Douglas183

I think you can send him an inquiry and he can block his listing for you for a certain period of time (I think 24 h) so you will be able to book but others could not.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Douglas183

Correct advice from @Branka-and-Silvia0 - the host can choose to block these dates for you to confirm your reservation within 24 hours.

[Gordon0]

If the place is in such high demand, nope,  this won’t necessarily work. If it’s IB, somebody else might swoop in. Sounds unlikely, but can happen. 

What the host could do is switch off IB, allowing you the time to get your enquiry in etc.