Considering the popularity of home renovation shows, it’s easy to see why home buyers might be tempted to buy a fixer upper. After all, on TV, renovating a house can be budget-friendly, quick, and even fun. But prospective home buyers, who think they may want to look for a house that needs some work, need to first be realistic. Not everyone has the skills or time to take on a renovation themselves and hiring a contractor can get expensive. Not to mention, all the little details reality TV shows edit out that can cause stress and frustration for an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. So before you buy a project, be sure you have a good idea of how much work the house will need, how much you’ll be able to do yourself, how much it’ll cost to hire contractors, and what the time frame will be. While a fixer-upper can be a good option for some buyers, it’s not for everyone. Being realistic about whether or not it’ll work for you can help you avoid taking on something that ends up costing you more time, money, and energy than originally anticipated.
