Realtor.com and Airbnb have teamed up to allow potential homebuyers to “live like a local” by experiencing a specific neighborhood before purchasing.

Visitors to realtor.com will be able to book accommodations nationwide on Airbnb ranging from single-family homes to condos, lofts and other properties located near their desired neighborhood.

“This collaboration with Airbnb reinforces our commitment to giving consumers unparalleled insight to make informed real estate decisions,” said Ryan O’Hara, chief executive officer of Move. “Our relationship with Airbnb—a company that helps millions of people feel at home in communities around the world—allows us to reduce some of the unknown factors associated with relocating to a new community. It is what we mean when we say realtor.com puts the ‘real’ in real estate.”

“We’re pleased to team up with realtor.com to encourage and support the home buying process,” said Chip Conley, head of global hospitality & strategy at Airbnb. “As we offer a variety of unique accommodations in neighborhoods across the country, we’ll be able to allow potential homeowners the special opportunity to experience those neighborhoods as if they already live there – before making the decision to buy.”

Consumers who visit realtor.com to look at homes in new neighborhoods can select the option to “Airbnb before buying.”

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http://www.housingwire.com/articles/34291-realtorcom-airbnb-partner-to-let-homebuyers-test-drive-the-neighborhood