If it’s always been your dream to revive an older home that needs some work, buying a fixer upper in Scottsdale may be on your mind. After all, this approach can often allow you to get the house you’ve always wanted at a great price.
But before you make this decision, you need to make sure the house you buy is going to be worth your time and money. Here are the steps you should take to increase the odds that you’ll be happy with the fixer upper you buy:
Get an inspection
Before you make a commitment to fix up the Scottsdale house you have in mind, you should have an inspector take a close look at it. He or she can tell you what needs to be fixed up and what needs to be replaced altogether. Even if you have had a full walk-through of the house, hiring an inspector is a must, because this type of professional can uncover issues that you might not be able to see on your own. Examples of hidden issues include foundation problems and mold.
Talk to a contractor
Once you have a detailed list of the problems with the fixer upper, you should talk to a contractor. He or she can let you know what you can fix, how much it will cost, and how long it will take. During this step, you might realize that the fixer upper you are considering will require too much time and money to become the home of your dreams. Or you might be delighted to find that you’re closer to getting your Scottsdale dream home than you thought!
Determine what kind of fixer upper it is
Some fixer uppers need more help than others. In fact, some are too far-gone to fix up. Before you put money into a home that’s in disrepair, you should consider what type of fixer upper it is. For example, a cosmetic fixer upper may just need a fresh coat of paint, some landscaping, and maybe new flooring, countertops, and light fixtures. This is the type of fixer upper that homebuyers usually love, because they’re offered at a discounted price yet don’t require much work to improve.
Some houses need a little more help. This might mean a new roof, more modern plumbing and electrical components, or an updated kitchen and bathrooms. If the floor plan is not the best in such a home, you might need to knock out a wall or two until you get the open floor plan you have in mind. This type of house might take a few months to fix up, and they definitely require you to hire a professional to do the work.
Keep in mind, too that some fixer uppers are truly considered a lost cause. They might not be structurally sound, or maybe they have major foundation issues. This is called a teardown, because it’d be cheaper to tear it down and build a new house than to fix it up. Fortunately, the inspection should uncover such problems, giving you some idea ahead of time whether you should buy the Scottsdale fixer upper you’re considering.
Whether you are searching for a fixer upper in Scottsdale or want a newer home, The Matheson Team would be happy to show you some homes that meet all your needs as a homebuyer.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
