By Josh Armerding
•
September 20, 2022
In recent years, “fixer-upper” properties, properties purchased and renovated to increase their value, have only gained popularity. Thanks to shows like HGTV’s Fixer Upper and countless social media influencers, renovating homes has become a glamorous and potentially lucrative venture. Fixer-uppers, unlike move-in ready homes, allow buyers to claim a property for a low sum and to increase the property’s value by restoring neglected parts of the house and adding new features to catch the eye of the prospective buyers and renters. Because they provide renovators with so much creative license, fixer-uppers offer a fun and unique way to diversify one’s income and to meet the ever-expanding demands of the housing market. Fixer-uppers are particularly attractive to buyers looking to convert a property into a rental unit. The continuous stream of rental dues from tenants offers an enticing incentive to invest in a fixer-upper rental and some assurance that the landlord will eventually turn a profit. Yet, like any other investment or venture, fixer-uppers are not inherently easy to manage or without their drawbacks. Before spending on your fixer-upper, consider these pros and cons of investing in fixer-upper rental properties. PRO: Lower initial purchase price for the property Fixer-upper properties have the chief advantage of having lower sale prices than move-in ready homes. On average, fixer-uppers sell for 8% less than market value, presenting an attractive option if you are looking to purchase a property to convert into a rental unit. That being said, these properties need “fixing up” for a reason, whether it be that the home has a cracked foundation or that the kitchen needs a fresh coat of paint. Many people choose to invest in fixer-uppers in order to profit from the margin of cost between the purchase price and the final sale price. Because they are so much more affordable than properties that are in peak condition, fixer-uppers make it easy to increase a home’s value and to potentially make financial gains. CON: Restorations can be costly On the downside, renovating fixer-upper properties can be a costly venture, particularly if you hire outside contractors to complete the work. Furthermore, the price of renovation heavily depends on the size and the placement of the home that you are remodeling. The cost of remodeling a two-bedroom house surrounded by houses with low property values will differ drastically from a four-bedroom house in a wealthy neighborhood. If the cost of purchasing and renovating a home outweighs the price of its final sale value, then the homeowner loses money. On the contrary, if a property owner leases out a fixer-upper, rather than selling it, the property continues to return money upon the initial investment, as opposed to the one-time transaction of a sale. In theory, therefore, fixer-upper landlords have more to gain than an owner selling their remodeled home. If done well, the rental fee has the potential to repay the cost of purchase and renovation, making it easier for the owner to eventually achieve a profit and a stable passive income. PRO: Easy to customize Fixer-uppers function as something of a blank slate for property buyers. With so many necessary renovations already under way, it is easy to customize a rental unit to suit the specific needs of the landlord and the tenant. Less expensive than building a unit from scratch, fixer-uppers provide owners with creative license and the opportunity to call the shots throughout each step of the renovation process. CON: Time consuming More often than not, fixer-uppers are time consuming projects. Property owners are almost always met with unforeseen repairs, or else must work around the schedules of their construction crews. As a result, renovations can drag on for months or even years, prolonging the landlords’ ability to turn a profit from their property and leading to a sense of dissatisfaction with their investment. Fixer-uppers can require a great deal of an owner's time and money. Ultimately, it is up to the owner to decide whether or not the investment is truly worthwhile. PRO: Lower taxes…for a while The worth of a home or property determines the rate of that property’s annual taxes. Therefore, when you purchase a fixer-upper property, your property taxes will reflect the low value of your unrenovated unit. While your taxes will reflect the property’s new value after remodeling is complete, the temporary low rate can equate to quite a sizable savings. CON : Risks damages from renters By renting out a finished fixer-upper, a property owner enters into all the risks that accompany typical rental property management. As with all rental properties, landlords with fixer-uppers expose their units to the constant cycle of damages and repairs that naturally follow renters living in the space. As the damages pile up, it can begin to feel like you spent your wealth of time, money and labor to no avail. Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your Fixer-Upper Before purchasing your fixer-upper rental property, weigh the costs of your investments in the property with your potential returns. While thoughtfully priced rental dues are sure to pay for a renovated property over time, there can be a great deal of headache for landlords before they start to see the fruits of their labor. Finding a personable and professional property management team to help you market your property, communicate with your tenants and manage maintenance is a sure way to alleviate the hassle. If you decide to invest in a fixer-upper rental property, relieve some of the stress by turning to a property management team that you can trust. Turn to ADEA.