When you find a great fixer-upper, it can be difficult to determine if you should put an offer. You want to restore the home to its natural beauty \u2014 especially if it comes at a good price. However, you need to weigh the good, the bad and the ugly before making a decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cFixer-upper, remodeling and design shows have attracted large audiences and have romanticized the process to the point that buyers and homeowners believe that it is not a big deal to create their dream home,\u201d says Karen Kostiw of Warburg Realty in New York, NY. However, she says these reality shows don\u2019t provide the guidance you need to decide on a fixer-upper. If you\u2019re transforming your basement, adding rooms and making other changes to the home\u2019s footprint, there\u2019s a lot to consider.<\/p>\n
The advantages<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most important factors when considering a fixer-upper is whether you can customize the home to your design aesthetic and functionality needs at a lower purchase price than an already renovated home,\u201d Kostiw says. \u201cTypically, you can purchase a larger home with the same purchase budget [when you choose a fixer-upper]. That home can be purchased in a more desirable neighborhood due to lower cost,\u201d she adds. Kostiw says that today\u2019s buyers are more likely to want new or updated homes. There\u2019s less competition if you want to buy a fixer-upper.<\/p>\n The ability to create the home you want in a desirable neighborhood can\u2019t be overstated. \u201cThe homeowner has control of the entire process. As long as it\u2019s planned ahead, much of the home can be customized to the exact needs of the homeowner, from adding architectural details to custom cabinets and flooring to an open floor plan,\u201d says Brad Little, President of Case Design\/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC. And while it may initially seem like a daunting task, he says it really isn\u2019t. \u201cA remodeling firm or contractor can help you plan your whole house remodel from blueprints to final presentation.\u201d<\/p>\n The price factor<\/strong><\/p>\n When buying a fixer-upper, you\u2019re competing in a different arena. \u201cFixer-upper purchasers must compete with builders and investors, which will drive up the purchase price,\u201d Kostiw explains. And she says you may need to be a cash purchaser since some lenders will not approve a fixer-upper property.<\/p>\n Kostiw also says you should prepare to spend at least 20 percent over budget during the renovation. That\u2019s why you need to create a fixed budget before work begins. \u201cBe firm on the final cost you\u2019re willing to invest before renovations begin or the project can quickly get out of control,\u201d Little warns.<\/p>\n He also recommends knowing and prioritizing your needs. \u201cRemodel for your must-haves first, and then your maybes,\u201d Little says. \u201cIn a fixer-upper, it\u2019s tempting to want to do everything immediately. But starting with the must-haves will give you a better idea of what you could do without.\u201d For example, your heart may be set on a farmhouse sink. But, according to Sara Cannon at House Heroes, you may not be able to preserve the existing cabinets with this type of sink since it requires a cutout.<\/p>\n And when the renovation is over, there are other long-term expenses to consider. \u201cFixer-upper purchasers often do not consider that their real estate taxes will increase based upon new assessed post-renovation value, shocking their all-in monthly budget,\u201d Kostiw says.<\/p>\n The time\/money\/inconvenience factor<\/strong><\/p>\n Depending on how extensive the renovations are, it could take a while. So consider the time factor in your decision. \u201cThe purchaser must be prepared for long and expensive renovations and longer timelines than originally planned,\u201d Kostiw warns. \u201cOften, if a large amount of work is required on a home, a purchaser may not be able to move in until work is complete, which could take six months or longer,\u201d she says. Would you have somewhere to stay if the home is uninhabitable? Would you be able to juggle two mortgages, or a mortgage and rent payment? What about living with your parents or in-laws for several months?<\/p>\n The fixer-upper shows fit projects into 30-minute or 60-minute time frames, so they don\u2019t cover everything that goes into renovating a house. \u201cMany of the shows do not highlight the permit process or the reality of workers not showing up, which delays a project timeline,\u201d Kostiw says. And these delays create a ripple effect. \u201cThe expense of labor and labor delays, product changes due to construction materials out of stock or a serious unexpected issue that arose on the job site could contribute to costing more than buying a new or already renovated home,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Remodeling on your own<\/strong><\/p>\n And if you plan on remodeling without the help of contractors or a remodeling firm, Little says it can be almost overwhelming. \u201cSigning on the dotted line is just the beginning since all of the labor and project management responsibilities fall on the homeowner,\u201d he says. \u201cIf any surprises come up that weren\u2019t found in the inspection, the homeowner is responsible for addressing them, either personally or through a contractor\/remodeling firm.\u201d<\/p>\n There are other inconveniences that could prove to be costly. \u201cIf there\u2019s a lot of drywall work involved, there will be drywall dust everywhere,\u201d says Shawn Breyer, Owner of Breyer Home Buyers in Atlanta, GA. If you or your family members have asthma or allergies, you might not be able to stay in the home.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, renovating the bathrooms will leave you using the bathroom across the house or without a useable bathroom for a few days,\u201d Breyer adds. \u201cRewiring the house can leave you without power in portions of your house for weeks. So make sure that you\u2019re prepared to live in a construction zone or have plans for living somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing When to Draw the Line<\/strong><\/p>\n The key to successfully renovating a fixer-upper lies in the ability to envision the end result before you start, according to Associate Broker Amber Ketchum at the Get Happy at Home team of Coldwell Banker Bain. \u201cYou must weigh the pros and cons before deciding if something is worth it or not,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n For example, if you have to move walls or do a complete add-on, this will dramatically increase the cost, according to Chelsea Allard, VP of Design at Case Design\/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC.<\/p>\n \u201cPlumbing can also create large snags in the cost or process, so it is essential to find out where the plumbing already is and know where you want to add plumbing,\u201d Allard says. For example, if you want to add a bathroom with a soaking tub on the second floor \u2014 but on the opposite side of the house \u2014 she warns that this will increase your reno costs.<\/p>\n Also, you don\u2019t want to over-improve a home. \u201cIf the home is renovated and it is over and above the value of the neighboring properties, you will never get its true value,\u201d says Ralph DiBugnara, President of Home Qualified. \u201cIt would be best to look at the homes you like in the area and stick to some parameters when improving your home. You do not want to own a White Elephant.\u201d<\/p>\n Making it all worthwhile<\/strong>
\nHowever, the end result of renovating a fixer-upper can be rewarding, as you can see in the before and after photos above. \u201cThis project was a waterfront lake house that the couple bought for the lot. When they purchased it, the previous owners had gone overboard with a DIY Tuscan theme,\u201d explains Allard. \u201cThe clients were slowly redoing the entire house bit by bit to match it with their contemporary design style.\u201d Allard says the company helped the homeowners to renovate the kitchen, powder room and bar.<\/p>\n