Relocation
Try Before You Buy: Live in Sacramento Before You Choose a Home
What Does Try Before You Buy Mean?
Try before you buy means living in the Sacramento region for a while before you purchase a home. It isn't rent-to-own. You rent short-term, settle into daily life and learn the area firsthand. Then you buy once you know which part of the region fits the way you live.
It suits people moving from far away, people who know Sacramento only from a weekend visit, and anyone deciding between very different areas. Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and Davis can feel like different places on a Tuesday morning. A month of living here often settles questions a dozen online searches can't.
Why Rent Short-Term Before Buying Here?
The Sacramento region spans four counties for most people who move here. Each one trades price, space and setting differently. Our relocating to Sacramento guide walks through them.
A short stay lets you test what matters to you:
- The drive. The commute at 7:30 a.m. is not the commute on a Sunday afternoon.
- The summer. Living through some of the heat helps you judge shade, pools and single-story layouts.
- Daily errands. Think of groceries, the gym, the doctor and the airport. How far each one is shapes your week.
- The homes themselves. Older neighborhoods, newer master-planned communities and rural lots each come with different upkeep and costs.
How Should You Use Your Time Here?
A short-term stay works best with a plan. Here's how we suggest spending it.
- Tour neighborhoods with Rachel. Rachel Dee Minyard, our REALTOR® & Creative Director, works with buyers from the first tour to the offer and helps them find a place that fits the way they actually live. Tell her what your week looks like and she'll plan tours around it.
- Get pre-approved with Maggie. Maggie B. Hopkins is a mortgage broker who shops loans across a network of approved lenders. An early pre-approval tells you your real budget before you fall for a home. It also lets you move when the right one appears. Call her loan line at (916) 549-3131. You're always free to use your own lender.
- Learn the commute. Drive your work route at the hours you'll drive it. If you'll travel back to the Bay Area, try the trip on a weekday.
- Look at the tax bill. Property taxes reset at purchase, and some newer communities add Mello-Roos. Our Sacramento property tax calculator estimates the yearly bill.
- Narrow to one or two areas. By the end of your stay, aim to know where you'd buy and what you'd pay.
Our areas we serve page links to every city in our four counties.
What Are the Trade-offs of Renting First?
Renting first has a cost, and it isn't right for everyone. Weigh these before you decide.
- Rent is money you don't get back. Short-term and furnished rentals usually cost more per month than a standard lease.
- Prices and loan rates can move. Waiting a few months could mean paying more or less. No one can promise which way it goes.
- Two moves. You move into the rental, then into the home you buy. Storage may sit in between.
- Your current home. If you own where you live now, you'll decide whether to sell first or hold it while you're here. Selling first gives you a clear budget. Holding it may mean two housing costs for a while.
For some buyers the better plan is to buy sooner and skip the rental. If you already know the area well, that may be you. We'll run both versions with you so the choice is clear.
Can We Help You Find a Short-Term Rental?
Yes. Maggie has furnished short-term rentals in Sacramento you can stay in while you look. They are rentals only. They are not for sale and this is not rent-to-own: you stay in one while you learn the area, then buy a different home that fits you. To check dates, call or text Maggie at (916) 549-3131.
Tell us your dates, the areas you're curious about and whether you'll need a furnished place. We'll help you plan the stay and the search together.
Before you sign any short-term lease, read the terms closely. Check the cancellation rules and whether utilities and internet are included. Ask about parking and pets. Find out whether the stay can be extended if your search runs longer than planned, and what that would cost. A rental that ends a week before your closing date can mean a hotel and a second round of moving.
Where Should You Start?
Download Moving to Sacramento: The Relocation Guide for prices, commutes and a buying plan. Our page on buying a home when you relocate explains how we plan showings around your trips.
When you're ready, contact us with your timing. Surroundings can plan the stay, the tours and the loan as one move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it smart to rent before buying in Sacramento?
It can be, if you don't know the region well yet. Renting short-term lets you learn commutes and areas firsthand. The trade-off is rent you don't get back and possible price changes while you wait.
How long should I rent before buying?
Rent long enough to live a normal week in each area you're considering. The right length depends on your timing and your budget for rent.
Can I get pre-approved before I move to Sacramento?
Yes. Maggie can start your pre-approval before you arrive, so you know your budget while you look. Call (916) 549-3131. Approval always depends on underwriting.
Do you have short-term rentals?
Yes. Maggie has furnished short-term rentals in Sacramento for people relocating. They are rentals only, not rent-to-own: you stay while you learn the area, then buy a different home. Call or text Maggie at (916) 549-3131 to check dates.
Should I sell my current home before I move?
It depends on your equity, your income and your comfort with carrying two homes. Selling first gives you a clear budget. We'll lay out both versions in writing so you can choose.
Can Rachel show me homes while I'm renting?
Yes. Rachel Dee Minyard, a REALTOR® and our Creative Director, tours neighborhoods and homes with buyers and plans showings around their schedule.