Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Explore Our Properties

Finding Your Perfect Home in a Fixer Upper

The Gentry Team March 12, 2024

If you’re trying to buy a home and are having a hard time finding one you can afford, it may be time to consider a fixer-upper. That’s a house that needs a little elbow grease or some updates, but has good bones. Fixer-uppers can be a really great option if you’re looking to break into the housing market or want to stretch your budget further. According to NerdWallet:
 
“Buying a fixer-upper can provide a path to homeownership for first-time home buyers or a way for repeat buyers to afford a larger home or a better neighborhood. With the relatively low inventory of homes for sale these days, a move-in ready home can be hard to find, especially if you’re on a budget.”
 
Basically, since the number of homes for sale is still so low, if you’re only willing to tour homes that have all your dream features, you may be cutting down your options too much and making it harder on yourself than necessary. It may be time to cast a wider net.
 
Sometimes the perfect home is the one you perfect after buying it.
 
Here’s some information that can help you pinpoint what you truly need so you can be strategic in your home search. First, make a list of all the features you want in a home. From there, work to break those features into categories like this:
 

  • Must-Haves – If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle.

  • Nice-To-Haves – These are features you’d love to have but can live without. Nice-to-haves aren’t dealbreakers, but if you find a home that hits all the must-haves and some of these, it’s a contender.

  • Dream State – This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the must-haves, most of the nice-to-haves, and any of these, it’s a clear winner.

Once you’ve sorted your list in a way that works for you, share it with your real estate agent. They’ll help you find homes that deliver on your top needs right now and have the potential to be your dream home with a little bit of sweat equity. Lean on their expertise as you think through what’s possible, what features are easy to change or add, and how to make it happen. According to Progressive:
 
“Many real estate agents specialize in finding fixer-uppers and have a network of inspectors, contractors, electricians, and the like.”
 
Your agent can also offer advice on which upgrades and renovations will set you up to get the greatest return on your investment if you ever decide to sell down the line.
 

Bottom Line

If you haven’t found a home you love that’s in your budget, it may be worth thinking through all your options, including fixer-uppers. Sometimes the perfect home for you is the one you perfect after buying it. To see what’s available in our area, let’s connect.

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

Here are what experts are saying about both prices and rates.

The Best Time To Sell Your House Is When Others Aren’t Selling

If you’re ready to sell now, beat the competition before it comes onto the market.

Why Buying or Selling a Home Helps the Economy and Your Community

You’re not just meeting your own needs, you’re also making a positive impact on the community.

What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Rise in New Home Inventory

You may have seen talk online that new home inventory is at its highest level since the crash.

History Shows the Housing Market Always Recovers

Every slowdown in the past has eventually given way to more activity, and this one will too.

Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?

If concerns about bidding wars have been holding you back, it may be time to take another look.

From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy.

Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers

For first-time buyers, they can be a smart way to get into homeownership without stretching your budget.

More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead

When you sell a house, the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing.

View All

Work With Real Locals

If working with a team that truly gives back to the community matters to you, we would make a great match. Reach out today to get started on buying or selling your home with a team that knows Moore County inside and out. With decades in the industry and an exceptional team of sales specialists, The Gentry Team has sold more homes than any other real estate firm in Moore County—and more than the total volume of most real estate companies in the region. This level of experience is unmatched, allowing us to help you sell your home for top value while anticipating and handling every detail along the way. We work collaboratively, combining our collective expertise to achieve the very best results for our clients. It is an approach built on trust, teamwork, and proven success. When you work with real locals, you get real results.

Contact Us
Get in Touch
Contact Details

THE GENTRY TEAM

(910) 295-7100

[email protected]



5 Chinquapin Rd
Pinehurst NC 28374