by Leo Kingston
For people who love old houses and love to work on them, the notion of buying a fixer-upper can be irresistible. Just think: You can snag a rundown place in a great and well established neighborhood for far below market price, invest some time and money renovating it, and end up with a like-new house that’s worth at least twice what you paid for it; this will be especially good for you if you intend on selling your home in the future. Sound good? It can be, but it can also be way more than you bargained for. So before you take the plunge, make sure you have a realistic idea of what you’re getting into.
Do the Math: What should you pay for your fixer-upper?
For a realistic offer, follow this simple equation. First, add up the costs to renovate the property based on a thorough assessment of the condition of the house. Be tough with this estimate, which should include materials and labor of your own and other people’s. Next, subtract that from the home’s likely market value after renovation, drawn from comparable real estate prices in the neighborhood. Then deduct at least another 5 to 10 percent for extras you decide to add, unforeseen problems and mishaps that have to be dealt with, and inflation. What’s left should be your offer.
It’s essential that the real estate contract include an inspection clause. At best, the inspection will assure you that the house is a good investment; at worst, it will help you back out of the deal. Often with fixer-uppers, it’s something in between. The inspector will document a serious problem or two, and you can use the findings to get the seller to pay for repairs or negotiate the sale price downward.
If the house needs significant structural improvements, many real estate experts recommend avoiding it altogether. That’s because major repairs, plumbing and electrical system overhauls, are “invisible” and hardly ever raise the value of the house enough to offset the cost of the renovation. Pick Projects That Pay The ideal fixer-uppers are those that require mostly cosmetic improvements, paint touchups, drywall repairs, floor refinishing, which generally cost much less than what they return in market value. New lighting fixtures, doors, window shutters, and siding, as well as updated kitchens and bathrooms, are also lucrative improvements.
Falling in between structural and cosmetic renovations are major additions needed to bring the house in line with its neighbors, such as a family room or third bedroom in a community of three-bedroom homes. Such projects usually cost as much as or more than they return in market value (the exception to this is adding a bathroom, which can be worth twice as much as its cost).
Be Prepared to Roll Up Your Sleeves:
Whatever renovation is required, it’s usually most cost-effective when homeowners pitch in. “A fixer-upper is for people who are willing to be do-it-yourselfers, because that can save them a lot of money and they can keep the increase in home value for themselves,” says Fernando Semiao, a real estate agent at Century 21 Semiao and Associates in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. If you’re not the hands-on type, be prepared to devote a considerable amount of time, months or even years, to closely supervising contractors. But remember that all of your financial gains could be wiped out if the project goes over budget because of mistakes or unnecessary delays.
Line Up The Money:
One of the most challenging aspects of purchasing a fixer-upper is paying for the renovation. Understandably, most people don’t have much extra cash after making the down payment and paying closing costs, so coming up with additional money to cover repairs or remodeling can be difficult.
For small projects, credit card debt is an option. Interest rates are high and the interest isn’t tax deductible, but there are no up-front costs, such as appraisal and origination fees. It’s also possible to borrow against the cash value in a 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance policy, or stock portfolio. In each of these cases, there’s no credit check and the interest rates are relatively low and on par with that of a typical mortgage, but again, the interest is not tax deductible.
By far the most popular funding choice for a fixer-upper is a renovation loan, either through a home equity line of credit or a mortgage. Home equity lines can generally be borrowed against 90 percent of the equity that the homeowner will have in the house after the repairs and remodeling are completed.
There are countless stories describing people getting in over their heads and beyond their budgets. It is very easy to do! But if you have the time, patience and a true love of older homes and renovations, it will surely be worth your while. And remember, when it comes time to sell your home there is a good chance that you will make a great return on investment.