Merion Narberth Ardmore Wynnewood Homes For Sale Listings Houses Housing Realtors Real Estate Agents Pennsylvania PA

Janis Peterson, GRI, ABR, CSP Realtor®
Philadelphia Main Line Homes and Real Estate
Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties
Relocation Specialist

Telephone:	(610) 642-3744
Fax:	(610) 658-0267
E-mail:	jp4re@pahomes.com
Home page:	www.pahomes.com

Personalized Service...Exceptional Results!

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Subject: Does Buying A Fixer-Upper Pay Off?
The idea of buying a rundown home, fixing it up, and reselling it for a profit, is thought of by many as a lucrative means to making extra money. But is this really feasible?

The reality is that many fixer-uppers are in such disrepair that it will cost more to do all the necessary repairs and improvements than it would to buy a home in move-in condition. This does not mean, however, that it is never a good idea to buy a fixer-upper. There are people who make a fortune moving from house to house, fixing up each house, and then moving on to the next. So, if you are serious about buying a sound fixer-upper, read on.

When searching for fixer-uppers, look in neighborhoods with resale potential. Ask your real estate professional for a current market analysis of the neighborhood. Check out how long other homes were on the market in the area. See what the average homes and the most desirable homes in the area sell for. This will you give you an idea on how good a bargain the home is. In addition, ask yourself, "Is this home in a hot market?" Appreciation can help offset the cost of renovating.

Try to find a home that has been listed for sale for several months or is vacant. These tend to be better bargains, because usually the seller is willing consider virtually any reasonable offer.

You'll also want to estimate resale profits before buying the fixer-upper house. A good way to do this is to take the estimated resale price minus the purchase price, your investments (this includes material and labor) and transaction costs. A good rule of thumb is to buy a fixer-upper for at least 20 to 30 percent below its fixed-up market value.

Consult a contractor to find our how much it will cost to complete the renovations. Figure out what types of improvements you can do yourself, such as installing a new light fixture, painting, and simple landscaping.

To make the most profit off your investment, you'll want to get a home that only really needs cosmetic changes. Avoid homes that need major structural work that won't add much value, such as a new roof.

Look and see what types of minor changes you can make that cost less than what they add in market value. The most profitable improvement is paint. A few hundred dollars spent on fresh exterior and interior paint can add much more, even thousands of dollars, to a home's market value. Other minor improvements that will give the house some pizzazz while adding to your profit are new light fixtures, countertops, and doors. Even new windows, shutters and siding can give a home a dramatic new look.

Major additions, such as adding a family room or a bedroom are usually not profitable. For example, adding a bedroom to a two-bedroom home that is in a three-bedroom community rarely adds more market value than the cost to add the room. The same is true with an over-improvement. For example, adding two bedrooms to the same house to create a four-bedroom home will usually cost much more than the value added. However, adding a second bathroom to a one-bathroom house is usually worth twice its cost in increased market value.

Buying and selling fixer-uppers can pay off. By educating yourself on what is a good find, the time and money spent rehabbing the home can result in a profitable investment.

"Real Service in Real Estate." For a personal consultation on buying or selling real estate, Janis Peterson, GRI, CSP Realtor® can be reached at (610) 642-3744, e-mail: jp4re@pahomes.com. Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors® is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Real Estate Information Relocation Questionnaire
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