Skip to main content

Try before you buy (a house) with Realstir

insurance companies smart home programs molecule case study house for a superhero facade 01
Molecule
You can try on clothes before you buy them and take a car for a test drive before you make a decision, so it was only a matter of time before a company came along that wanted you to (temporarily) live in a house before you take out a mortgage. Meet Realstir, a San Diego based startup described as a “social real estate marketplace empowering consumers and real estate professionals through local knowledge and easy real-time communication.” But more importantly, the company allows you to try before you buy your house.

The Realstir app makes it possible for buyers and real estate agents alike to get all the details they need on potential purchases, including what it would be like to actually live there. “It gives potential home buyers the chance to try the home out before they buy it, which is fantastic,” real estate agent Roger Perry told CBS Los Angeles. “We should all have that chance to take the car home for a day.”

The app plays matchmaker between serious buyers and eager sellers, and after a vetting process, the interested party can pay the current owner a fee to spend a night or two in their home. Think of it as Zillow meets Airbnb — at least, that’s how Inman News has described the concept.

“I think any homebuyer serious about pulling the trigger will find that very beneficial,” Perry added. “The hurdle … would be to have the seller allow it.”

Realstir is available on Android and iOS, and is completely free to use. It allows you to determine the value of your own home, stay up to date on community news, and compare real estate prices across the country. And as useful as its multiple features are, Realstir believes that its real draw lies in its unique TBYB (try before you buy) offering.

“We think it’s a key thing as far as the future of buying and selling homes,” Walid Romaya, founder and CEO of Realstir, told CBS. “You want to see how the sunlight shines in through the window. You may want to see if the neighbor that has a Harley revs up at four in the morning.”

After all, a house is one of the biggest purchases you can make. Shouldn’t you be able to test it out before making a decision?

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or wait for the Z Fold 6?
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 (left) and Galaxy Z Fold 5 rear panels.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 (left) and Galaxy Z Fold 5 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you’re in the market for a foldable phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of the best you can get. Hands down. This is especially true considering that Samsung has five years of experience in the foldable market.

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 8 Pro
Someone holding the Bay blue Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Is the Google Pixel 8 Pro an excellent smartphone? Absolutely! It's quite possibly the best smartphone Google has ever made, and we weren't shy about heaping praise on it in our Google Pixel 8 Pro review. While its battery life isn't anything to write home about, and the temperature sensor is a bit of a whiff, the sheer quality of the camera, gorgeous design, strong specs, and promise of seven years of updates mean it's not a phone to miss out on.

But while the Pixel 8 Pro is a very strong smartphone, it's far from the only choice. In fact, if you're looking at the Pixel 8 Pro right now, there are five other smartphones you should consider buying instead of Google's most expensive flagship.
Google Pixel 8

Read more
Ring Video Doorbell buying guide: Which is best for you?
Ring Video Doorbell Wired

Ring makes some of the best video doorbells, and it's not uncommon to see many of the company's products during a quick stroll through your neighborhood. The company has come a long way over the past few years, and its catalog is now bursting with video doorbells for you to choose from. Along with traditional wired models, there's also a robust selection of battery-powered models -- some of which are rated to last well beyond six months before needing a recharge.

But which Ring Video Doorbell is best for you? From powerful, security-first devices to those with easy installation processes, here's a look at the best Ring Video Doorbells.

Read more