Test-Drive Your Future Home

Why Spending a Night First Is Worth It

experience the neighborhood before you buy

When you're on the hunt for a home to actually live in, sometimes that perfect place might also be listed as a short-term rental. Instead of just a quick 30-minute visit, why not take advantage of staying a night or two? Spending a couple hundred dollars to actually live in the house for a day can give you insights that no brief tour or listing photos ever could.

Why It's Worth It

• Unexpected Sounds and Quirks: By staying overnight, you might realize there's a neighbor who turns into a drummer at night or a café that gets lively.

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  Experience the Neighborhood Vibe: By staying overnight, you get to feel the real rhythm of the neighborhood—how quiet or lively it is at night, what the morning traffic is like, and how it really feels to wake up there.

• Test the Amenities in Real Life: You’ll have a chance to actually use the shower, check the water pressure, test out the kitchen appliances, and see if the heating or cooling really works the way you expect it to.

• Discover Hidden Comforts or Issues: Sometimes a house feels different after you’ve spent a night there. You might notice how cozy it is in the evening or find little quirks that you love—or that might be deal-breakers—once you’ve truly lived in the space.

In short, spending that extra night or two is like giving yourself a real-life preview of what living there will actually feel like.

Leverage the Power of Reviews

Another huge advantage is tapping into what previous guests have already experienced.

When a house has been an Airbnb or a short-term rental, you can dive into the reviews and get a wealth of insights from people who've stayed there across different seasons. These reviews can reveal quirks you might never catch on a walkthrough, like how the house feels in the summer versus winter, or little neighborhood nuances that only show up after staying a few nights. Essentially, you’re getting a years-long, crowd-sourced perspective on what it’s really like to live there, and that can be incredibly helpful in making your decision.

read the reviews before buying a short term rental

In fact, I’ve seen this firsthand. We once looked at a home in the winter and, thanks to the reviews, found out that the place had a real mosquito issue in the summer. Plus, guests mentioned a sulfur smell in the water that would never have come up in a quick tour. Those little hints are gold when you're making a decision, because they help you think through all the possibilities before you commit to buying.

Watch Out for the Short-Term Rental Hotspots

Another thing to keep in mind is whether the house is in an area that's a hub for short-term rentals. If the neighboring homes are also Airbnbs or vacation rentals, you might find yourself in a place that feels more transient and less like a stable neighborhood. That can mean you don’t get to know your neighbors as well, and the feel of the area can change from week to week. So, by doing that overnight stay, you can get a real sense of whether it’s a community where you’ll feel at home or if it’s a revolving door of guests. It's definitely something to consider before you commit.

A Well-Used Home Is a Well-Maintained Home

All in all, there's actually an advantage to buying a house that’s been functioning as a short-term rental before you move in full-time. Unlike a vacant home that might have systems sitting idle for months, a short-term rental is regularly used. That means the showers run, the appliances get tested, and the heating or hot water systems are kept in working order. It’s a lot less likely you’ll run into surprise issues from disuse. So, having a house that’s been lived in—even by short-term guests—can be a real plus compared to one that’s been sitting empty.