Things to Consider Before Investing in a Fixer-Upper Home

Posted by Amitava Sarkar on August 25th, 2016

People invest in fixer-upper homes for a variety of reasons. In some instances, investors wish to turn these properties into personal residences. In others, they want to “flip” these homes and sell them at a higher price. Given the exorbitantly high home prices in popular parts of the country, it’s no wonder fixer-upper properties are currently in such high demand. Whether you’re looking for a place to live or simply wish to make some extra money, fixer-uppers represent an affordable alternative to traditional homes.

When scouring your local real estate market for fixer-uppers, it’s important to remember that not all potential flips are equally wise investments. Although many of these properties can be fixed up for reasonable sums of money, some of them simply aren’t worth putting your resources behind. To ensure that you don’t get saddled with a lemon, take the following factors into account before purchasing a fixer-upper. Doing so; stands to save you a considerable amount of time, money and hassle.

Foundational Issues

The adage “You have to spend money to make money” certainly holds sway with experienced property flippers. However, when it comes to the amount of money you’re willing to spend on a single property, there needs to be a limit. Case in point: If a home you’re interested in flipping has fallen prey to serious foundational issues, it may be a good idea to pass. Depending on the size of the property and the area in which it’s based, major foundational repairs can cost upward of 0,000. Recouping your investment on a home with a faulty foundation isn’t impossible, but it’s not exactly something you should count on, either.

Location

Location is another factor that should be carefully considered before investing in a property. Suffice it to say, homes located in areas with highly-rated schools and steady market growth tend to command higher prices than properties based in areas plagued by high crime, poor economic growth and low-performing schools. This isn’t to say that you should avoid fixer-uppers located outside of affluent areas. Rather, you should weigh the initial purchase and repair costs against the potential profit. Properties in less desirable areas typically sell for less than homes in popular neighborhoods, so remember to consider this when calculating how much money should be spent fixing up a house in an unpopular part of your city or township. DFW Sell Fast, a company that specializes in investment properties in Dallas, can help flippers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex hammer out comprehensive cost/benefit analyses.

Inspection

An informed buyer is a happy buyer – particularly in matters concerning real estate. While it’s true that investment properties are less expensive than traditional homes, they don’t exactly come cheap. Even before renovations begin, odds are you’ll be spending at least tens of thousands of dollars on any given fixer-upper. After factoring in repairs, you can expect to spend quite a bit more. That being the case, it’s strongly recommended that you know exactly what you’re getting into before sinking a substantial sum of money into an investment property. Luckily, an experienced building inspector can provide you with answers you seek in a timely manner. This person will bring any structural, foundational or wiring issues to your attention, thus providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Many investors consistently make handsome profits from flipped properties. However, before pouring money into a fixer-upper, it’s important to know what you’re in for. In the interest of avoiding large-scale buyer’s remorse and protecting your personal finances, keep an eye out for foundational issues, carefully consider each property’s location and have all potential flips thoroughly inspected.

About the Author: Jason Crism is a career home flipper based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He attributes joining DFW SellFast’s network of investors to the vast majority of his recent successes.