Buyers Are Test-Driving Homes With Sleepovers
Luxury buyers are increasingly requesting overnight stays before making offers, using the “try-before-you-buy” approach to test a home’s fit.
MIAMI — A growing number of luxury home buyers are asking to spend the night in a property before making an offer, treating homes like a "test drive."
Sellers in markets such as Florida, California and New York have experimented with the idea, with some charging hefty short-term rental fees and others allowing free stays. For buyers, an overnight visit can confirm whether a home's layout, neighborhood or light fits their lifestyle.
Some home buyers will make an offer after a stay, with some offers above asking price, while others will walk away realizing the home is not a perfect fit. Some real estate professionals say that it is a creative way to build confidence and close deals. Others warn that these stays can lead to liability issues and misuse.
The try-before-you-buy approach may be rare, but it shows how buyers are rethinking one of life's biggest financial decisions.
Source: The Wall Street Journal (08/24/25) Flint, Jessica
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