What to Ask About When Buying a Fixer-Upper

Photo by Michael Jarmoluk via Pixabay

When you’re shopping for a new home, the prospect of a fixer-upper being on the market for an unbeatable price sounds great! There are a few things that should be on your checklist to make sure that the juice is worth the squeeze when purchasing a home. A fixer-upper that needs mainly aesthetic repair is usually a good deal. Just make sure you ask your real estate agent or the property owner about some costly, but necessary, repairs.

Foundation

First off, any home that is worth its weight in gold needs to have a good foundation. Foundation issues can be quite expensive, depending on the type of repair needed. For example, all houses will settle over time. It’s only natural. But if your prospective home has settled too much it can lead to slab leaks, cracks and serious structural issues; which may lead to expensive repairs. 

Water

Plumbing issues can range from a minor leak in the faucet to a cracked supply or drain line, which can either be a slight nuisance or a major flooding issue (and flood damage is not a cheap fix on its own). Along with the immediate cost of the plumbing repairs themselves, plumbing problems can cause higher monthly water bills.

Electrical

Electrical issues can not only be costly to repair but very unsafe. If you are shopping for a home, make sure to check with the homeowner or agent about the quality of wiring, electrical sockets, etc. to avoid both the costly repairs.

Remember, when shopping for that great fixer-upper in your new neighborhood make sure to check these three big boxes before choosing your soon-to-be dream home.