Try before you buy (a house) with Realstir

By Lulu Chang Published May 14, 2016

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.”

Recommended Videos

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?

Former Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Topics

Mobile

Own an Android? It looks like you may buy an iPhone next

The iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Plus held in the hand together

In a recent survey of iPhone owners, 48% of those now wielding Apple’s smartphone had previously owned an Android phone. The data comes from an extensive report using information gathered from 4,000 individuals by analysts at Counterpoint Research, and shows despite the challenges those who switch from Android to iOS (or vice versa) often face, it didn’t put almost half of current iPhone owners off.

The research then states it’s Samsung and Google suffering the most when someone decides it’s time to buy an iPhone, to the point the paper warns Samsung may see a marked fall in S-series ownership over the next two years if the trend continues. It’s added that Samsung, along with brands like OnePlus and China’s market leader Vivo, are using AI and flagship specifications to differentiate devices, in an effort to entice and retain buyers.

Mobile

When can you buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?

Galaxy S25 Edge TV and sign at Galaxy Unpacked 2025

With the Samsung Galaxy S25 series now available, the company's attention is turning to its next handset, the Galaxy S25 Edge. The phone is expected to be a game-changer and will likely be marketed against Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air. Now we know better when the Samsung phone could be released.

According to tipster Max Jambor (via Android Headlines), the new phone should be available for purchase during the year's second quarter. Previous rumors suggested the phone would be available sometime around April, so the tip seems to confirm this.

Smart Home

Everything you need to know before buying a space heater

A Vornado heater on a table.

Space heaters are a simple (and affordable way) to keep your home warm during the chilly winter months. Offered in a variety of sizes, you'll find models designed for small offices, sprawling living rooms, and everything in between. However, space heaters are also responsible for house fires and other accidents -- meaning you have to be careful with how you use them.

Before rushing out and adding a space heater to your home, here are a few things to consider. From checking available safety features and finding the right size to placing it in your home and avoiding smart plugs, here’s everything you need to know about these useful gadgets.
Check for crucial safety features
The most important feature to look for in a space heater is the tip-over switch. Products with a tip-over switch will automatically turn off when they're knocked over, making it an indispensable safety feature. It’s rare to find products without a tip-over switch nowadays, as all the best space heaters use them. But if you're shopping for older devices, be sure it has one of these. If it doesn’t, the heater will pose a serious fire hazard if it gets knocked over.