Special offer

What To Consider When Buying A Fixer-Upper

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Showcase Homes

What To Consider When Buying A Fixer-UpperIn your imagination it seems like a great idea - you purchase an older run-down property and you have the chance to fix it up and turn it into the Royal Oak Michigan home of your dreams.

To Renovate, Or Not To Renovate

However, the renovation project that is simply a quick montage in your imagination will actually take several months or years and thousands of dollars in real life.

The concept of renovating a "fixer-upper" property is exciting, but the reality is a lot of work and investment. How can you make sure that you are making the right choice for you?

One of the main advantages of buying a fixer-upper property is that you will usually be able to get the property for a much cheaper price. But is it worth it for the amount of time and money you will need to invest in the property?

Here Are Some Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself When Making Your Decision:

  • Do you (or your friends and family members) have the skills to be able to perform most of the renovations yourself? If you do the labour yourself, you will be able to save thousands of dollars that you would have spent hiring contractors, which will make the renovation a much more profitable project.
  • Are you comfortable with the idea of living in a construction zone, perhaps for several months or more? There will be dust and noise everywhere and you might have to cope without a kitchen or a shower for a while.
  • Make sure that you have a thorough inspection of the home performed so that you can see whether the home has a sturdy foundation, good wiring and plumbing, etc. If your inspection reveals any structural issues or water damage, you might be in for more than you bargained for. You need to start with a house that has "good bones".
  • If the home has serious structural, plumbing or wiring problems you should stay away – these repairs are very expensive but "invisible", so you are unlikely to recoup your costs when you sell the home.
  • Add up the estimated costs for renovating the property along with the cost of the home – does it still work out to be a better deal or would you be better off buying a new property.
  • What is your strategy for financing the renovations? If your only option is putting it on the credit card, you might want to think twice because this is a very high interest option.

Buying a fixer-upper property can be a great investment and can give you the opportunity to transform a run-down old house into the property of your dreams. However, make sure you that you consider the choice carefully before making your decision.

For more information about about buying or selling a fixer-upper or any questions regarding real estate, contact your trusted real estate professional.

Posted by

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Attorney
RE/MAX Showcase Homes, Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Hi Lee, Renovating the house you live in or renovating the house you want to flip requires professional services for sure. The realtor who specializes in this is a good resource.  Washington Builders had a catchy jingle Iin their tv ad that included their phone number and my brother and I used to sing it all the time. It paid off because before you knew it our folks called them and we had a great addition to our property we enjoyed the rest of our lives growing up in that home.

Mar 25, 2014 01:22 AM
Javier Olmedo
Keller Williams Coral Gables - Miami, FL

I have seen customers look at places and say I can do this or that and I can do it for this amount, but then when I sit with them away from the home and really go over the steps, budget and amount of work reality sets in.  It must be well thought out, as you pointed out and many considerations must be looked at carefully.  Thanks for bringing this to light.

Mar 31, 2014 12:02 AM