If only real life is like the television shows where the work crew shows up consistently at your fixer upper to make the repairs, you come in under budget, and the home is completed in less than sixty minutes.  In reality, investing in a fixer upper can be a rewarding but time consuming process.  However, for many people, purchasing a fixer upper and getting to make it completely their own is an appealing path to home ownership.

Having a home inspection is the best way to understand the condition of a home, but that does not happen until after you have written a contract.  If you are considering a fixer upper home, but aren’t ready to write an offer yet, here are some things you can investigate on your own.

Inside the home

Look for water damage

Take a close look at the walls of the home and ceilings.  Are there any stains of areas where the ceiling seems to be sagging? Look under sinks and around toilets and bathtubs for buckled flooring or soft spots that could indicate water damage.

Use Your Nose

Homes that have been closed up for a while can smell musty, but strong odors can be an indicator of a bigger problem.  The scent of smoke, whether it was from a smoker in the home or a fire, pet odors that have embedded themselves into the base floor or walls, and mold smells can be expensive and hard to get rid of in the home.  Only a professional test can confirm the presence of mold, but the smell is a unique one.

Check the Floors

While it is likely that you will have to replace carpet or redo hardwoods, walk around several rooms to see if you feel any areas where the floor is sloped or soft.  These could be indications of foundation problems or water damage that would require further professional investigation.

Kitchen and Bathroom Condition

Both kitchen and bathroom remodels are big ticket items in any home remodel.  Spend a few minutes in these rooms determining how much work needs to be done.  Does the home need new kitchen cabinets?  Will you need to replace flooring? Maybe, while not to your taste, the cabinets are fine and functional while you work on other areas of the home.  You will also have to add in the costs of new appliances, toilets, or showers into your overall budget.

Size of Rooms

Sometimes you can expand a room and sometimes you can’t.  Consider the layout of the home and if you are satisfied with the space in the rooms.  If you are thinking about selling the home once complete, keep in mind that most families with young children appreciate bedrooms on the same floor.  Many buyers today also appreciate a flex space within a home-a room that could be a bedroom, office, ect.

Outside of the home

External Structure

It is important to walk around the perimeter of the home too.  Look for any visible damage to the siding or cracks around the foundation.  Feel the areas around the windows and doors to see if they are sturdy.  Replacing a roof is always a necessary, but higher cost repair on a home.  While a thorough inspection on top of the roof done by a professional is the best indicator of the roof’s condition, you can still look for curled up tiles and determine the condition of the gutters from the ground that might give you a clue to its condition.

You can inspect the condition of the doors and windows as well.  Are the windows functioning?  Does the door open easily or are there cracks in it?  Remember to also take a look at any decks that are attached to the home.

Yard

While you are outside, take a look at the yard.  Are there any trees that will need to be removed?  Are their items on the property that will require you to remove them?  These items can become costly quickly.  

Other things to consider

If you are interested in purchasing a fixer upper, then it is worth looking into any information you can find about the property.  You can ask your REALTOR® to help you look into any zoning information or if there are any HOA regulations.  It is also worth a search to find out if the property has any liens on it or unpaid taxes.