How Much Could Homebuyers Save by Purchasing a Fixer-Upper??

A New Report Identifies the Best U.S. Cities to Buy a Fixer-Upper  

As home prices soared and inventory dwindled in recent years, some prospective homebuyers turned to fixer-uppers in their search for an affordable home. But is buying a fixer-upper worth it? 

New data from StorageCafe shows that in the 50 largest U.S. cities, buying a fixer-upper is 32% cheaper than buying a standard home, resulting in a median savings of $155K. 

But in some cities, home prices are so high that even fixer-uppers remain unaffordable for many Americans. In 12 of the 50 largest U.S. cities, the price of a fixer-upper is still more than half a million dollars, the data shows. 

Making a Fixer-Upper Into a Home Takes Work 

Buying a fixer-upper is a risk, and it isn’t for everyone. But for those willing to put in the work, it can really pay off.  

“While a discount is great, buying a sagging property is only the beginning of the process,” The New York Times points out. “You still have to get the work done. You may be able to finance and plan renovations from the get-go, but projecting future costs can be tricky given the continuing shortages of materials and the shifting costs of labor.  

“But when it comes down to it, that fixer-upper could well cost more next year than it does this year, so snagging it now may be worth the renovation headaches ahead.” 

The bottom line: If you’re buying a fixer-upper, make sure you do your homework and know what you’re getting yourself into. 

The Price of Fixer-Uppers by City 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are the best cities for buying a fixer-upper, StorageCafe says, citing metrics including the price of a fixer-upper, the number of available fixer-uppers, and the size of a typical fixer-upper. 

The price of a fixer-upper varies widely by city, ranging from $1,299,499 in San Jose, California, to $59,900 in Detroit, Michigan, the data shows. Five of the 10 most expensive markets for fixer-uppers are in California, and other high-priced markets include Boston, Massachusetts, and Seattle, Washington.  

With the price of a fixer-upper exceeding $500,000 in 12 of the country’s 50 largest cities, buying a fixer-upper still isn’t affordable for everyone. However, the amount a buyer saves by purchasing a fixer-upper in an expensive city could be high, too. In cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, the buyer’s savings could be upwards of $400,000. 

These are the most expensive markets for fixer-uppers: 

1. San Jose, California: $1,299,499 
2. San Francisco, California: $1,094,000 
3. Los Angeles, California: $899,000 
4. Boston, Massachusetts: $899,000 
5. Seattle, Washington: $799,000 
6. New York City, New York: $760,000 
7. Long Beach, California: $712,450 
8. Washington, D.C.: $680,000 
9. San Diego, California: $600,000 
10. Mesa, Arizona: $599,900 

These are the cheapest markets for fixer-uppers: 

1. Detroit, Michigan: $59,900 
2. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: $79,900 
3. Baltimore, Maryland: $107,500 
4. Memphis, Tennessee: $109,900 
5. Omaha, Nebraska: $129,000 
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $145,000 
7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: $150,000 
8. Kansas City, Missouri: $155,000 
9. Tulsa, Oklahoma: $156,900 
10. New Orleans, Louisiana: $159,450 

Although it can take a lot of work to turn a fixer-upper into a home, buying a home that needs repairs can be a great way for first-time buyers to enter the housing market. What is the fixer-upper market like in your state? 

Resources for Further Reading 

Do you want to learn more about the state of the housing market? These blogs can help you dive deeper into the ways in which the market is changing — and what to expect in the future.  

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