08/25/2026
Wanting to get into a detached home, but the turnkey listings are outside your budget? A home that needs some work can get you there and let you build equity through a renovation. The trick is knowing which “ugly” is straightforward to fix and which one has added costs.
📩 Got a listing on your radar and want a sense of what you’d be taking on? Book a free intro call via the link in bio, and in the meantime, here’s what to bear in mind during your search:
🔍 Start with the bones, not the finishes. Foundation and drainage, roof age, electrical panel, plumbing type, these are the expensive fixes without even getting into the aesthetics of a home yet.
🔌 Electrical: Already on a 200 amp panel? You’re in good shape. Still on 60-100 amp or knob-and-tube wiring? Budget to bring it up to code and more if the wiring throughout the house needs updating too. This is one of the biggest swing costs between two houses that look identical from the curb.
🚿 Plumbing: Copper or updated PEX is low risk. Original Poly-B or galvanized pipe usually means a full repipe.
🏠 Roof: Under 10-15 years old, not a current concern. Original roof at 25+ years, budget for a full replacement soon.
🛠️ The “easy” stuff: kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, layout: This is where a fixer upper pays off AND starts to look great. More importantly, these are choices you make on your timeline, not surprises hiding behind a wall.
📈The real math: a home needing an electrical update and a new kitchen is a completely different budget than one needing these PLUS a repipe and a new roof even if both can appear similar.
Factor these into the price before you write the offer, and remember a home inspection will tell you exactly where the property stands.
