Experiences & Classes from 2,000 Owners

Shopping for a fixer-upper is usually seen as a budget-savvy solution to land a house in a fascinating neighborhood or college district. However for a lot of householders, the fact units in shortly: cracked foundations, surprising plumbing points, and the overwhelming prices of bringing every part as much as code. The dream of an enthralling, character-filled home can shortly flip into months of stress and surprising spending.

We surveyed 2,000 People who bought fixer-uppers to know what actually occurs after move-in. Their experiences, together with pest infestations and mid-renovation evacuations, paint an image that’s each cautionary and hopeful. Forty-seven p.c exceeded their renovation budgets, 36% took on new debt, and fewer than half (48%) had a house inspection earlier than shopping for. Nonetheless, 79% say they might purchase the identical home once more, regardless of challenges resembling mildew or needing to briefly go away their properties.

Whether or not you might be serious about shopping for a house that “simply wants a little bit work” or are already deep in demo mode, these tales may also help you put together. You’ll study why a radical inspection issues, how DIY efforts can uncover hidden issues, and the way a good house guarantee may also help shield your funding when surprising points come up.

61% Purchased a Fixer-Higher As a result of It Was the Most Reasonably priced Choice

For many patrons, price range got here first. Actually, 61% stated they selected a fixer-upper as a result of it was essentially the most reasonably priced solution to get into the housing market. However affordability wasn’t the one cause these householders took the plunge.

Greater than half (55%) had been drawn to the neighborhood or location, whereas 38% believed the house had “good bones” — a phrase usually used to explain a stable construction that guarantees potential. When the bones are good, do different elements matter? For a lot of patrons, the reply was sure, however the basis was essential to their buying resolution.

Different motivations included the possibility to renovate and personalize their area (28%) and the will for allure or character (23%). This wasn’t nearly shopping for a discount, however about making a house their very own.

These patrons confirmed dedication past the acquisition: over 55% deliberate to remain for not less than 20 years or indefinitely. Many fixer-uppers had been older properties with a narrative to inform. At 70%, most properties had been inbuilt or earlier than 1980, and almost half (45%) had been bought for below $150,000. For 62% of patrons, this was their first house buy, marking the beginning of an extended journey with a home filled with historical past, allure, and loads of work forward.

47% Blew Their Finances — And Over a Third Went Into Debt

Most fixer-upper patrons began with a price range, however almost half (47%) ended up spending greater than they deliberate. One other 40% spent extra on repairs and renovations than on the house itself.

For a lot of, these additional prices meant taking up new debt. Thirty-six p.c of respondents reported borrowing cash after buying their fixer-upper.

When it got here to financing, 56% paid with money, 54% used financial savings, and 39% relied on credit score. Solely 14% used a house fairness mortgage, and 5% tapped a house fairness line of credit score (HELOC).

Regardless of monetary challenges, 71% nonetheless felt that purchasing a fixer-upper saved them cash in comparison with buying a move-in-ready house.

Hidden Points Caught Patrons Off Guard

After shifting in, 35% of patrons reported severe points they hadn’t anticipated. Amongst them, 20% found pest infestations, and 17% discovered mildew or mildew. Many didn’t simply select to improve main programs like plumbing, HVAC, or roofing — they wanted to. For these shopping for a fixer-upper, the joy of making one thing private and lasting can shortly fade as hidden issues emerge behind partitions, beneath flooring, or inside getting old programs.

For 15% of patrons, these issues had been severe sufficient that they needed to briefly go away their properties, usually as a consequence of well being or security issues.

Survey respondents shared simply how extreme some points had been:

“Mice. So many mice it was unbelievable.”
“We discovered an entire room, a hidden basement, behind a boarded-up closet.”
“The scent was insufferable. We ripped up the flooring and located black mildew beneath.”

Going through these surprising challenges, many patrons dove into quite a lot of house enchancment initiatives after shifting in. The commonest updates had been inside portray, undertaken by 68% of respondents, adopted carefully by toilet updates at 63%, new home equipment at 60%, flooring upgrades at 59%, and kitchen upgrades at 54%.

Most Patrons Changed, Not Simply Repaired, Key Techniques

Amongst those that upgraded home equipment, 88% changed them utterly. For home windows, 79% had been full replacements, and 77% of roof initiatives concerned full alternative. HVAC programs had been one other main enterprise, with 78% of these updates involving full replacements — a pricey however usually mandatory transfer in older properties the place outdated programs can’t meet present requirements for effectivity or security. HVAC set up prices can fluctuate broadly, particularly for patrons coping with getting old infrastructure.

Kitchens and loos had been additionally in depth undertakings. Of these updating loos, 59% totally transformed, whereas 22% carried out repairs. Kitchen upgraders noticed 59% finishing full remodels and 21% choosing smaller updates.

Structural programs had been no exception. Plumbing initiatives had been frequent, with 59% involving repairs and 35% full replacements. Forty-five p.c of respondents had electrical work performed, 40% of which was full replacements.

This wasn’t simply surface-level work. These had been severe renovations throughout a number of house programs, indicating simply how a lot effort most patrons needed to make investments to make their fixer-uppers really livable.

87% Tried DIY — However Not Everybody Walked Away Unscathed

Most fixer-upper patrons weren’t simply investing cash — they had been investing sweat fairness. A putting 87% of householders took on not less than some DIY work, reworking their properties with their very own two fingers.

Over half (53%) aimed to DIY as many initiatives as attainable, diving into portray, demolition, landscaping, and even gentle electrical or plumbing work. One other 34% took a hybrid method, mixing their very own efforts with assist from execs when wanted. Simply 13% averted DIY altogether and opted to rent out each job.

And the efforts weren’t in useless: 68% of DIYers accomplished their initiatives efficiently with out skilled assist, displaying robust follow-through and talent. Nonetheless, DIY got here with its personal set of dangers and realities.

Amongst those that picked up instruments themselves, almost one-third (32%) stated they uncovered further points whereas working, resembling mildew behind drywall or outdated wiring that didn’t meet code. Twenty-seven p.c ended up calling in contractors after getting began, usually realizing midproject that the job was greater than anticipated. In the meantime, 7% by chance induced extra injury, and 5% sustained accidents. These challenges remind us that not all initiatives are as simple as they may appear on YouTube.

Regardless of the challenges, most homeowners felt succesful. About 44% of householders described their abilities as intermediate — comfy with duties resembling repairing taps, putting in trim, or patching drywall. One other 26% thought of themselves extra superior, in a position to tackle gentle electrical or plumbing work. A smaller group, simply 5%, considered themselves as expert-level renovators, assured and skilled sufficient to sort out complicated initiatives on their very own.

Solely 48% Bought an Inspection — And Almost Half Regretted Skipping It

When requested about inspections and residential analysis earlier than buy, fewer than half of respondents (48%) reported having not less than one commonplace house inspection. Even fewer took the additional step to conduct specialised inspections for plumbing, roofing, or basis points. For these contemplating shopping for a fixer-upper, a house inspection is an important step in avoiding pricey surprises.

Specialised inspections, resembling plumbing or electrical, had been carried out by simply 28% of respondents, whereas 26% requested vendor disclosures, and an equal 26% had a contractor walk-through or estimate. Then again, 19% skipped all these steps, with others reviewing allow historical past, property data, or insurance coverage claims at even decrease charges.

Many who skipped inspections cited causes resembling planning to renovate anyway (26%), avoiding the price (24%), or trusting the vendor’s disclosures (22%). Nonetheless, almost half (48%) of those that bypassed inspections later regretted that alternative. Frequent regrets included discovering hidden injury, lacking alternatives to barter repairs or value reductions, and dealing with fast surprising restore prices.

Amongst Patrons With Regrets, 51% Stated It Was Extra Work Than They Anticipated

Whereas 41% of fixer-upper patrons reported having no regrets, the remaining 59% confronted surprising challenges throughout their renovation journey. Many underestimated the scope and length of initiatives or struggled with residing within the house whereas main work was underway.

Amongst those that expressed remorse, greater than half (51%) stated it was extra work than anticipated, and 42% stated initiatives took longer than anticipated to finish. Almost 3 in 10 (29%) regretted having to dwell within the house throughout main renovations. Different frequent frustrations included budgeting shortfalls and missed alternatives to barter with sellers.

The frequent thread wasn’t remorse over shopping for a fixer-upper however frustration with the renovation course of itself. How renovations unfold can closely affect each funds and peace of thoughts.

Nonetheless, the general outlook stays optimistic: 79% of all respondents stated they might purchase the identical house once more, and solely about 1 in 5 reported any degree of purchaser’s regret. Moreover, 80% stated their expertise had no damaging impression on their psychological well being.

Regardless of the Complications, 1 in 4 Stated It Was Price It for the Sense of Possession

Renovating a fixer-upper could be annoying, however many owners discover the emotional rewards worthwhile. Favourite options included the location and neighborhood, non-public yards and out of doors areas, in addition to authentic particulars resembling hardwood flooring and trim. Spacious layouts and distinctive character helped create a way of belonging that new properties usually lack. For a lot of, the connection extends past aesthetics and easily “looks like house.”

That emotional payoff issues. Almost 25% stated the sensation of possession made the challenges worthwhile, and a powerful 79% would purchase the identical fixer-upper once more. Regardless of surprising repairs and price range surprises, these patrons noticed their properties as locations to construct recollections and categorical themselves, proving that the worth of a fixer-upper isn’t simply monetary, it’s deeply private.

What Fixer-Higher Patrons Need You To Know Earlier than You Begin

After the paint dried (and typically peeled again once more), patrons had lots to say about what they want they’d recognized. Right here’s the highest recommendation that got here up repeatedly:

• Double your price range. Forty-seven p.c overspent, and lots of took on debt. Be sure that to price range for repairs. Planning forward for pricey updates resembling roofing or home windows can prevent from surprises. Understanding how a lot a brand new roof may cost a little or what’s concerned in selecting the most effective home windows may also help you put together.
• Anticipate delays. Owners usually discovered that initiatives took longer than deliberate. Be ready for setbacks and delays.
• Get the inspection. Have a licensed inspector examine each a part of the house, together with the attic and crawl areas. Take the time to do your due diligence. Shopping for a fixer-upper could be deeply rewarding, but it surely’s not for the faint of coronary heart.
• Begin with the massive stuff. This consists of HVAC, plumbing, and roofing. Be sure to know what you’re entering into. Study the fundamentals, together with how one can discover and exchange the air filter in your HVAC system to maintain it operating easily, earlier than you begin taking up intricate beauty modifications or upgrading much less vital options like lighting or decor.
• Know your limits. DIY could be rewarding, however almost 1 in 3 respondents uncovered greater points. When you don’t know what you’re doing, it might price you.

Above all, carry persistence. Renovating a fixer-upper isn’t a fast or simple course of. Nevertheless it’s additionally a serious accomplishment, particularly in right now’s costly housing market. With reasonable expectations and regular willpower, patrons can flip a home filled with challenges into a real house.

Methodology

At this time’s Home-owner surveyed 2,000 U.S. householders who purchased a fixer-upper to realize insights concerning their expertise with and outlook on house initiatives, budgeting, and homeownership normally. We used Pollfish, a third-party market analysis and survey platform, to gather knowledge for this report from April 30, 2025, to Might 2, 2025.

We weighted responses to align with inhabitants demographics throughout age and gender to be consultant of all U.S. adults (ages 18 and older). The margin of error is +/- 2% with 95% confidence.