{"id":99770,"date":"2025-07-21T11:32:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=99770"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:41:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:41:10","slug":"buying-a-fixer-upper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve always dreamed of buying a fixer-upper home. <\/span><b>A fixer-upper typically has a lower price tag, potential long-term value, and a chance to customize your space. However, these homes also come with risks like construction delays and high contracting costs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you take the leap from your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Redmond\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redmond apartment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/oregon\/eugene-houses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eugene rental house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/9065\/MT\/Helena\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home in Helena<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, take a look at these pros, cons, and tips to help you decide if buying a fixer-upper is the right move for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>In this article:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#what-is-a-fixer-upper\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a fixer-upper house?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#how-to-find-fixer-uppers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to find fixer-upper homes<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#what-to-look-for\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to look for when buying a fixer-upper<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#how-to-buy-a-fixer-upper\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to buy a fixer-upper in 7 steps<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#financing-options\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financing options for fixer-uppers<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#faqs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"font-style: normal;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-103772 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-947x630.jpg\" alt=\"Buying a fixer-upper house means the home needs some repairs, which can be anything from cosmetic updates to more significant repairs. This small home on a neighborhood walkway beneath some trees may need some updated paint and other minor repairs. \" width=\"947\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-947x630.jpg 947w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-2048x1363.jpg 1803w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-451x300.jpg 451w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fixer-upper_shutterstock_62586382-scaled.jpg 1804w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 947px) 100vw, 947px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-fixer-upper\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a fixer-upper house?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fixer-upper is a home in need of repairs, ranging from cosmetic updates to more significant renovations. While many are still livable, they often require more work than the average home. Here\u2019s a look at the pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros to buying a fixer-upper<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lower purchase prices:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fixer-uppers are usually listed at a lower price than move-in ready homes because they often require repairs. This can mean a smaller down payment, freeing up some cash to put toward renovations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Customization:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> An outdated kitchen doesn\u2019t have to be a deal breaker. You have the ability to update and design the home exactly how you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Potential for equity growth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Renovating a fixer-upper can boost <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/what-is-my-home-worth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home value<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over time. Buying at a low price, making smart updates, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/should-i-sell-my-house-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">selling at the right time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can result in a profitable investment.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Less buyer competition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fixer-uppers don\u2019t have as many interested buyers, so you won\u2019t need to worry as much about competition when making an offer on one.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons to buying a fixer-upper<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Unexpected costs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Even if you\u2019re planning a major renovation, hidden issues like structural problems, outdated systems, mold damage, or pest infestations can lead to costly, unplanned repairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Time commitment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Renovating a fixer-upper can be incredibly time consuming. Depending on the state of the house, you may need to prioritize projects just to make it livable.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Specialized skill requirements:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you don\u2019t have the skills (or the time) to do the renovations yourself, hiring contractors adds to the overall cost and can potentially offset the savings from buying your fixer-upper.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increased stress:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Living through renovations can be uncomfortable and chaotic. The disruption, dust, and ongoing to-do list can quickly become overwhelming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Loans for fixer-uppers can get a little more complicated than an average home loan. Some options bundle the cost of the home and the anticipated renovations, while others cover the renovations alone. Talk with a lender to determine which one is right for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-find-fixer-uppers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to find fixer-upper homes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find fixer-uppers the same way you\u2019d find regular homes for sale online. Most sites, like Redfin, allow you to filter by home features and select \u201cfixer-upper.\u201d A local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can also help you find homes that meet your criteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real estate auctions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are another way to find fixer-upper homes for sale. However, you\u2019ll have to buy the home as-is at auction, so be aware that there may be hidden problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-foreclosed-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foreclosures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-short-sale-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">short-sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> properties as they\u2019re often sold below market value.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-to-look-for\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to look for when buying a fixer-upper<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Search for a fixer-upper house that fits your home search criteria and balances your time, ability, and budget for renovations and repairs. Even though you\u2019re planning on fixing things up, you\u2019ll still need to do your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/due-diligence-real-estate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">due diligence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be sure a house is the right fit for your situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House location<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Location is key in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/first-time-home-buyer-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home buying process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Look for a fixer-upper in an established neighborhood that\u2019s close to amenities, like stores, entertainment, and restaurants. Consider if the area has a good <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walkscore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walk Score<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or public transportation options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also want to consider other homes in the area when choosing how and what to upgrade in the home. When the time comes to sell the property, you want to make sure that your home is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-find-real-estate-comps-in-my-area\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comparable with homes nearby<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and that any updates you make add value.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Size and layout<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider whether the size and layout of the home meets your space needs. You can renovate a home\u2019s layout, but choosing one that already works makes doing other updates and repairs easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the property has small rooms or a closed floor plan, removing walls to open up the space <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.angi.com\/articles\/how-much-does-it-cost-remove-wall.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">costs between $1,000 to $10,000 on average<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Load-bearing walls and more complex materials can cost even more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall condition<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best fixer-uppers are the homes that don\u2019t require extensive structural repairs. Cosmetic repairs like the examples below are easier to manage and don\u2019t usually require a permit:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fresh interior and exterior paint<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New carpets and flooring<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resurfacing kitchen cabinets and replacing hardware<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upgrading appliances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleaning up the landscaping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removing outdated fixtures<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Altering utility systems, moving walls, replacing windows, and adding or removing portions of the home are more expensive, labor-intensive tasks. Most also require permits, inspections, and contractors. Buying a fixer-upper in good structural condition will ensure the savings you scored upfront don\u2019t disappear too quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspection insights<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carefully consider the results of any inspections you get on the house. Determine whether the cost of repairs is worth the initial investment of buying the house and fits into your renovation budget. If the inspections reveal serious structural damage, extensive mold growth, or significant pest damage, it might be time to walk away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appreciation potential<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s essential to evaluate the above factors when considering the appreciation potential for a fixer-upper. Look for properties in growing areas that you can renovate strategically to optimize resale value in the right market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re trying to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/dos-and-donts-for-flipping-a-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flip a house<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a profit or just want to make a smart investment for the future, analyzing each aspect will help you understand the appreciation potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-103773 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"A family of three sits on the floor smiling at each other while they repaint a wall to a minty green color. Their child sits between them and laughs with paint on their hands. \" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-buy-a-fixer-upper\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to buy a fixer-upper in 7 steps<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Determine a budget including renovations<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Figure out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how much home you can afford<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and factor in your renovation budget. Research common renovation costs, determine your available funds, and factor in a financial cushion for unexpected expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some types of fixer-upper loans allow you to combine the home\u2019s price and renovation costs into one mortgage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>&gt;&gt;A Redfin example: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/5x7-bathroom-remodel-cost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>5&#215;7 Bathroom Remodel Cost Breakdown for 2025<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Search for the right fixer-upper<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use Redfin\u2019s home search filters to select \u201cfixer-upper\u201d under home features to pull up options in your desired area. As mentioned above, you can also look at real estate auctions, foreclosures, and short-sale properties. A good real estate agent can also help you search for fixer-uppers that meet your specific requirements and budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>&gt;&gt;Read more: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 10 Steps<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Have a thorough home inspection<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/home-inspection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is crucial when buying any home, but it\u2019s particularly important when buying a fixer-upper. Even if you\u2019re already planning major renovations, a qualified home inspector will thoroughly look through the entire home and identify any issues that need to be addressed. Pay close attention to electrical systems, roofing, foundation, and HVAC systems. Consider these additional inspections for specific concerns:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lead based paint inspection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/sewer-scope-inspection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sewer scope inspection<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/why-you-need-pest-and-termite-inspection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pest or termite inspection<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mold inspection<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><i>&gt;&gt;Read more: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-house-with-mold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b><i>Buying a House with Mold: Important Considerations for Buyers<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Consult a contractor<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIY-ing some home renovations can save you a ton of money, but consulting a contractor at the very least can be a big help. They will be able to tell you which renovations are possible based on home structure, which <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-improvement-projects-that-add-value\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">projects will add value to the home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and which specific ones may require permits. If you do plan on using a contractor, consulting with multiple will help you determine the right one to lead your projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Explore fixer-upper financing\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several types of loans that can help you buy a fixer-upper and cover renovations. Consult with your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-mortgage-lender\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage lender<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn about what specific loans they offer, and check out our breakdown of the most common ones below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Understand potential resale value<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many buyers hope to flip a fixer-upper for profit, resale value depends on more than just renovations. Location, comparable home prices, and market trends all play a major role. It\u2019s also important to renovate appropriately for the neighborhood\u2014over-improving in a lower-priced area, or cutting corners in a high-end one, can hurt your return on investment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Make a smart offer<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re ready to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/making-an-offer-on-a-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make an offer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a fixer-upper, be sure to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-much-can-you-negotiate-on-a-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">negotiate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a good balance between the listing price and the cost of repairs. A home needing significant repairs can give you good leverage to negotiate a lower price with the seller.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you can still <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/making-offer-without-agent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make an offer without a real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, having an experienced agent help you with negotiations makes for an easier process and peace of mind on your end.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"financing-options\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financing options for buying a fixer-upper<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a brief comparison of four common loan options to use when buying a fixer-upper:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<table id=\"tablepress-128\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-128\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Loan type<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Down payment<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Credit score<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Best for<\/th><th class=\"column-5\">Key limits<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/hud-partners\/single-family-203k\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\">FHA 203(k) Standard<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.5%<br \/>\n(10% if <580) <\/td><td class=\"column-3\">580+ for 3.5% down 500-579 needs 10%<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Major renovations<br \/>\nStructural repairs<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">HUD consultant required<br \/>\nNo luxury upgrades<br \/>\nPrimary residences only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/hud-partners\/single-family-203k\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\">FHA 203(k) Limited<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3.5%<br \/>\r\n(10% if <580) <\/td><td class=\"column-3\">580+ for 3.5% down 500-579 needs 10%<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Minor upgrades<br \/>\nCosmetic fixes<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">Max $35K in repairs<br \/>\nNon-structural improvements only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yourhome.fanniemae.com\/buy\/homestyle-renovation\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\">HomeStyle Renovation<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3%-5%<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">620+<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Licensed contractor projects<br \/>\nFlexible use<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">Max <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/definition\/loanto-value-ratio\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">LTV<\/a> 97% <br \/>\nFor existing homes only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sf.freddiemac.com\/working-with-us\/origination-underwriting\/mortgage-products\/choicerenovation\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\">CHOICERenovation<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3%-5%<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Minimum between 620-660<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Disaster-proofing<br \/>\nCustom upgrades<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">Renovation limit = 75% of home value<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-128 from cache --><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faqs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixer-upper FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does it cost to fix a fixer-upper?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The price of fixing a fixer-upper varies widely depending on the extent of the repairs needed. On average, you can expect to spend at least 10% of the home\u2019s value on major renovations, or more if extensive repairs are needed. Carefully analyze the expected costs of renovations, materials and labor, and hidden issues against the price of the home and your personal budget before buying a fixer-upper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is buying a fixer-upper worth it?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a fixer-upper can be worth it for the upfront cost savings and customization options, especially for those who love a project. But it\u2019s important to weigh the risks and downsides like time commitment and expensive repairs to determine what is best for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are fixer-upper homes good investments?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixer-uppers are generally sold at lower prices due to the needed repairs. With the right renovations and keeping an eye on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the best times to sell, a fixer-upper can turn a nice profit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can I get a mortgage on a fixer-upper?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can get a mortgage on a fixer-upper home. Some finance options combine the cost of the home with the cost of renovations. Consult with your lender to determine what the right path is for a specific home and your financial situation. Depending on the state of the house, some lenders may require certain finance options.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can I buy a fixer-upper as a first home?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since they are sold at lower prices than ready-to-live homes, a fixer-upper can be a good option as a first time home buyer to break into homeownership. However, it becomes even more important to plan carefully and be flexible. Home ownership already comes with its own list of risks, maintenance, and financial awareness, so be prepared for that list to grow if a fixer-upper is your introduction to it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At what point is a house not worth fixing?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the cost of repairs outweighs the potential increase in home value, it might be time to walk away. Be aware of fixer-uppers with extensive structural, pest, or mold damage. These can be extremely costly to remedy and may offset the perceived savings on the overall cost of buying the home.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying a fixer-upper can both save you money on upfront costs and offer the opportunity to customize your home. Before you dive into a massive project, learn where to find fixer-uppers, how to buy and finance them, and what to plan for to make the best decision for you. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":828,"featured_media":103773,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276],"tags":[34529,34629],"coauthors":[36461],"class_list":["post-99770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","tag-buying-faq","tag-first-time-homebuyer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It might seem like a dream to renovate your own home. Learn the truth about buying a fixer-upper to prepare to make the right choice.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It might seem like a dream to renovate your own home. Learn the truth about buying a fixer-upper to prepare to make the right choice.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-21T18:32:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-21T18:41:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kaitlyn Neitman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kaitlyn Neitman\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kaitlyn Neitman\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/aa3b7247ae2f8dcbd9383b5da839f247\"},\"headline\":\"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-21T18:32:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-21T18:41:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1909,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"buying faq\",\"first time homebuyer\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Buying a Home\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/\",\"name\":\"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take | Redfin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-21T18:32:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-21T18:41:10+00:00\",\"description\":\"It might seem like a dream to renovate your own home. Learn the truth about buying a fixer-upper to prepare to make the right choice.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":1800,\"height\":1200,\"caption\":\"va renovation home loan\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/buying-a-fixer-upper\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\",\"description\":\"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Redfin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Redfin\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/redfinrealestate\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/redfin\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Redfin\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/aa3b7247ae2f8dcbd9383b5da839f247\",\"name\":\"Kaitlyn Neitman\",\"description\":\"Kaitlyn is a Content Marketing Coordinator with Redfin. She lives in Seattle, WA, where she enjoys hiking, reading, and finding cozy coffee shops to write in. Her ideal home has an in-home library with big windows for natural lighting to read by.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/author\\\/kaitlyn-neitman\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take | Redfin","description":"It might seem like a dream to renovate your own home. Learn the truth about buying a fixer-upper to prepare to make the right choice.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take","og_description":"It might seem like a dream to renovate your own home. Learn the truth about buying a fixer-upper to prepare to make the right choice.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/","og_site_name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","article_published_time":"2025-07-21T18:32:14+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-21T18:41:10+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1800,"height":1200,"url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kaitlyn Neitman","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@redfin","twitter_site":"@redfin","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kaitlyn Neitman","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/"},"author":{"name":"Kaitlyn Neitman","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/aa3b7247ae2f8dcbd9383b5da839f247"},"headline":"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take","datePublished":"2025-07-21T18:32:14+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-21T18:41:10+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/"},"wordCount":1909,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg","keywords":["buying faq","first time homebuyer"],"articleSection":["Buying a Home"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/","name":"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take | Redfin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2025-07-21T18:32:14+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-21T18:41:10+00:00","description":"It might seem like a dream to renovate your own home. Learn the truth about buying a fixer-upper to prepare to make the right choice.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/family-renovating_shutterstock_1046336572-scaled.jpg","width":1800,"height":1200,"caption":"va renovation home loan"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-fixer-upper\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","description":"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Redfin","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Redfin"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","https:\/\/x.com\/redfin","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/redfinrealestate\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/redfin","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/redfin\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Redfin"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/aa3b7247ae2f8dcbd9383b5da839f247","name":"Kaitlyn Neitman","description":"Kaitlyn is a Content Marketing Coordinator with Redfin. She lives in Seattle, WA, where she enjoys hiking, reading, and finding cozy coffee shops to write in. Her ideal home has an in-home library with big windows for natural lighting to read by.","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/author\/kaitlyn-neitman\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/828"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99770"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108515,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99770\/revisions\/108515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99770"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=99770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}