In real estate vernacular, a fixer-upper is a property that will require repair (redecoration, reconstruction, or redesign), though it usually can be lived in or used as it is.
They are popular with buyers who wish to raise the property’s potential value to get a return on their investment (a practice known as flipping), or as a starter home for buyers on a budget. Home-improvement television shows touting do-it-yourself renovation techniques have made fixer-uppers more popular, but during a real-estate downturn with newer homes available at depressed prices, there is often reduced interest.
Inexperienced buyers frequently underestimate the amount and cost of repairs necessary to make a home livable or saleable. Structural and service issues which may not be visible at first (such as a home’s foundation or plumbing), can require expensive, professional contracting work.
Related: THE PROS AND CONS OF INVESTING IN A FIXER UPPER
Just about anytime is a good time to buy a fixer-upper, especially if you acquire the property for less than everything else around it. Unlike other residential properties, fixer-upper prices aren’t so contingent on the temperature of the local real estate market—be it hot, cold, or neutral. However, what happens after the purchase can be a nightmare or a profitable whopper of a deal. The secret to making it a success lies in getting the place checked out by a host of specialized inspectors, learning how to evaluate the repairs, and choosing the right property in the first place.
The Ideal Fixer-Upper
The perfect fixer-upper is the home that everybody will want in the future but nobody wants right now. Most homebuyers, especially first-timers, demand a home in pristine condition, a turnkey property that’s ready for occupancy. The irony is that many imperfections that turn people off—peeling paint, worn carpets, or dated fixtures—are easily correctable. Yet because they’re tough to see past, a home suffering from them often languishes on the market.
Remember, if you make a purchase offer for a fixer-upper at the right price, you start making money the day you close. And that’s even before you consider the potential for big resale profit. The time to think about selling is the day you buy, even if you have no immediate plans to move.
Location and Layout
Not all fixer-uppers have potential. Whether a particular ugly duckling can turn into a swan depends on several factors.
The first is location, location, location, as the real estate saying goes. Don’t buy a fixer-upper situated on a busy intersection, next to a school, or across the street from an entrance to a landfill—in other words, the sort of undesirable locale that sinks even houses in tip-top shape. Seek out fixers in desirable or up-and-coming neighbourhoods. Examine the surrounding homes and how they are maintained. Do they look well-cared-for and mostly owner-occupied?
Next, focus on the home’s configuration. The best type of fixer-upper to buy is one that will appeal to the largest pool of buyers: a three-bedroom with more than one ensuite. Of course, a two-bedroom home can be profitable, especially if that’s the dominant size of homes in the neighbourhood, but a three-bedroom house is better. If three bedrooms are better, four might be better yet: Three-bedroom buyers often will trade up to a four.
The layout should flow. If the home is chopped up with a bad layout, realize that it can be expensive or impractical to move walls. Bedrooms at opposite ends of the home will turn off buyers with young children, as will a two-story with the master bedroom upstairs and all the other bedrooms downstairs. Kitchens with more than one entrance are desirable. Avoid places where dining rooms serve as the central focal point of the home.
Evaluating Condition
Obviously, the fixer-upper’s going to be in tricky condition, but some issues are worse than others. You need to separate the cosmetic problems from more fundamental ones.
Easy fixes include:
- Patching walls, stripping wallpaper, and painting.
- Refinishing floors, or laying tile or carpet.
- Installing ceiling fans and new light fixtures.
- Replacing baseboards or adding a trim.
- Fixing broken windows.
- Replacing bathroom subfloors due to leaky toilet seals.
- Refacing or painting kitchen cabinets or installing new ones.
- Replacing doors.
- Changing out receptacles and light switches.
- Painting the exterior.
- Adding a deck.
More expensive fixes include:
- Replacing HVAC systems or adding central air conditioning.
- Shoring up foundations.
- Reroofing, when it involves a tear-off.
- Replacing all plumbing, sewer lines, and electrical service.
- Pouring concrete for driveways, sidewalks, or steps.
- Installing replacement windows throughout.
- Complete kitchen or bath remodels.
- Building garages or additions.
Inspections for Fixer-Upper Homes
In any real estate transaction, always get a home inspection by a credentialed home inspector before committing to complete the sale. There are many types of home inspections that you may want to review before buying a fixer-upper. Consider these the cost of getting a good deal:
- Roof certifications: If the seller hasn’t already provided evidence as to the age and condition of the roof, obtaining a roof certification at the seller’s expense is good business practice.
- Home warranty: Not all sellers will pay for a home warranty, but many view it as insurance against those late-night phone calls when things break after closing.
- Pest inspections: Not every state has a pest problem, but if your area deals with damage from beetles, termites, or ants, ask for a pest inspection and make your purchase offer contingent on your approval of the inspection and any seller-paid repairs.
- Sewer line inspections: As properties age, so do their sewer lines. Have these and septic tanks checked out?
- Engineering reports. An engineer can make a natural hazard or geological disclosures. Pay attention to landfills nearby, contamination reports, and other detrimental resale hazards.
Not all fixer-uppers require equal fixing—and what needs to be fixed is somewhat subjective. A major rehab for one homebuyer is a walk in the park for another. Consider your expertise, your finances, and to what extent you want to tackle a home that requires serious renovation to make it habitable.