: The most affordable states for fixer-uppers in 2025/2026 include West Virginia , Iowa , and Mississippi , with median list prices for project homes often falling below $110,000.
“The selling agent did a masterful job of prepping the house for the appraiser, helping a buyer use FHA financing for a dilapidated property they planned to gut.” JVM Lending · 5 years ago buy fixer upper homes for sale
Experts and homeowners often reflect on the reality versus the "TV version" of renovation: : The most affordable states for fixer-uppers in
: While doing the work yourself saves money, experts from The Spruce suggest that novice DIYers should be cautious, as projects frequently take longer and cost more than anticipated. Perspectives on the Experience However, real estate pros warn that in ,
Buying a fixer-upper can be a high-reward path to homeownership if the total cost of purchase and renovation remains significantly below the market value of a comparable move-in-ready home. However, real estate pros warn that in , major projects may be risky for first-time buyers due to high renovation costs and the unpredictability of "what's behind the walls". Expert Review & Recommendations
When browsing listings on platforms like Realtor.com or Opendoor , look for: