Thinking about a ‘Fixer Upper’? Understanding the Balance Between Purchase and Reno Costs

Fixer uppers can come with huge price benefits and opportunity, as well as problems. Make sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into before you purchase a home that needs significant restoration.

Carefully Calculate

Do the math very carefully before jumping in. Add up the expected renovation costs based on a thorough evaluation of the property. As some of the expected costs will lie within a grey area, it is important that you base your estimation on the higher end of the price range. Be sure to account for all materials and labor.

Once you have calculated your expected renovation costs, subtract this number from the home’s projected post-renovation market value. It is important that you base this projection on comparable listings in the same neighborhood. Consulting a real estate professional can offer very valuable assistance with this step.

To be conservative, deduct at least another 10 percent for any unforeseen costs, mistakes, or issues that arise. That final number should be the highest offer you make on the property.

Work With The Right Team

When looking for a fixer upper that is a sound investment, make sure that you have a solid team of professionals to work with. Choose a real estate agent who is familiar with the area and type of property that you are interested in, and make sure that all laborers you hire are not only competent to deal with the problems that you’ll face during renos, but who won’t cut corners. Aesthetically appealing housing don’t always pass inspections – it’s important to make sure that the property is fit for sale or it may never close at your asking price.

Aesthetic Problems Are The Best Problems

If you’ve managed to find a home that’s in great condition but is visually unappealing, you may have found yourself an excellent fixer upper. Ugly carpet, old appliances, and tacky wallpaper are easy fixes that won’t eat up much of your budget or your time.

Asbestos, leaky water lines, a cracked foundation, or a rotted frame are examples of more significant issues that will require the help of a professional. Be wary when investing in a property that has one or several of these problems, as they are the kind of issues that snowball into larger costs and a longer timeline for repairs.

Ready to find a great fixer upper and tackle it as your next investment? Give me a call!  J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

21275 N 65th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85308

$629,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,164 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6781942

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Gorgeously renovated 4 bed 2 bath home in Arrowhead Ranch with stunning golf course views! This house has everything - newly installed luxury vinyl plank floors throughout, an entertainer's dream kitchen, and bright & airy spaces to dine, relax and watch the Arizona sunsets. Open concept kitchen features vaulted ceilings, new shaker cabinets, white quartz countertops, & large peninsula complete with breakfast bar & extra storage. Spacious primary bedroom has large walk-in closet and spa-like renovated bathroom. 2+ car garage will fit all your toys. Backyard is an outdoor oasis with covered patio, new irrigation, and steps from the driving range. Big ticket items completed recently include full roof replacement (2016) & HVAC (2023).

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10919 S Dreamy Drive Goodyear, AZ 85338

$629,900

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,328 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6782189

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Spacious two-story home just steps from the scenic South Lake in Estrella Mountain Ranch! Perfectly situated on a premium view lot backing to a natural wash, this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers luxurious outdoor living with a heated pebble-tec pool. Inside, enjoy soaring vaulted ceilings in the Grand Entry and Master Suite, where breathtaking sunrise and sunset mountain views await from a private balcony. An expansive 3-car garage provides ample parking and storage. Explore a scenic 2.3-mile lakeside path, plus thrilling hiking, mountain biking, community pools, and workout facilities. Nearby, the world-class Golf Club of Estrella—a Troon-managed, Nicklaus Design course—completes this exceptional lifestyle.

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3800 S Cantabria Circle Unit 1067 Chandler, AZ 85248

$629,900

3 Beds

3 Baths

2,218 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6782150

Property Type Townhouse

Price Type --

Experience COUNTRY CLUB living in this stunning gated community! This home boasts breathtaking views of the Community Lake and Golf Course. Enjoy the scenery from inside or the back patio and master balcony, perfect for morning coffee or evening relaxation. Upstairs, you'll find a spacious loft, a guest room(2nd master), and the master suite. Each room boasts it's own balcony. Downstairs features a gorgeous great room with soaring ceilings and a gas Fireplace. Luxury kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances and view. One HVAC unit is only 6 years old, while the other remains original but works great. Units have been serviced annually. Live in luxury and comfort with the best of both worlds! The roof was replaced in 2021 and the HOA will be painting the exteriors of all units in 2025. the downstairs bedroom is being used as a Den and has no closet. But with a full bath downstairs, this is an easy bedroom for guests or mom on the ground floor!

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12375 S 181st Drive Goodyear, AZ 85338

$629,900

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,700 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6764643

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

FURNISHED home! GATED community 4 bed, 2.5 bath residence is the one for you! Featuring a stunning façade w/stone accents, low maintenance landscape, & a 3 car garage! Discover an elegant interior boasting graceful archways, plantation shutters, recessed lighting, soft carpet in all the right places, and warm palette throughout. The formal dining room, w/its dazzling chandelier, is sure to delight your guest! You'll also find a spacious living area w/a dry bar and a fireplace to keep you warm during the winter months. The gorgeous kitchen is equipped w/everything the aspiring chef needs, staggered cabinetry w/crown molding, a pantry, granite counters, tile backsplash, SS appliances such as a wall oven, an island complete w/a breakfast bar, and a breakfast nook. #Location is ideal!! You'll love the primary bedroom, boasting private outdoor access, a large walk-in closet, and a lavish ensuite w/dual vanities & a makeup table with spa amenities- SNAIL shower and Garden tub. Laundry room includes built-in cabinetry and a convenient utility sink. Finally, the wonderful backyard showcases a covered patio, extended paver seating areas, an attached pergola, and a built-in BBQ perfect for a cookout w/friends & loved ones! Split Floor plan / with Front Courtyard & a Gated golf course community (THE FAIRWAYS at ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN). ahh.. have peace of mind with energy efficiency- Brand NEW HVAC system installed April 2024! WOW - SOLAR savings..$$$!!. Cul De Sac private street- What are you waiting for? Act now

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17691 W Cottonwood Lane Goodyear, AZ 85338

$629,900

3 Beds

3 Baths

2,202 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6722226

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome Home!!! This gorgeous 3 bedroom 3 bath home with a Casita at the desirable 55+ active community of CantaMia/Province at Estrella Mountain Ranch in in a fantastic location. Close to restaurants, shopping, parks & golfing at the Golf Club of Estrella. As soon as you step into this gated community home, you can see the pride of ownership with all that has been done. This elegant kitchen offers granite counter tops, a large island/breakfast bar for extra prep & storage, black appliances, filtered water, a pantry, full height travertine backsplashes & stunning crown molding cabinetry. Your spacious master suite offers a plethora of natural light from your bay windows, a walk in closet, dual vanity, a walk in shower & soaking tub to enjoy, as well as direct access to your backyard oasis . This gated community home also offers paid for solar (owned/no lease), upgraded ceiling fans & lighting, a casista with a full bathroom, a neutral paint scheme with accent walls, a den/office area to utilize, a 2 car garage with a water softener & central vacuum system, as well as a backyard oasis that includes a large covered patio, extended travertine pavers, mature desert landscaping & a sparkling heated pool to enjoy all year round. Your community at CantaMia has so much to offer to it residents. There is a state of the art fitness center with massage & spa rooms, an indoor & outdoor pool, a billiards room, library, lounge, numerous crafts & workshops, a cyber cafe & a demonstration kitchen, a dog park, as well as outdoor activities such as: pickleball, bocce ball, horseshoes & tennis courts are available at Estrella. This gem in the desert is a Great Buy & a Must See!!! **Furniture is available on a separate bill of sale.

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20417 W Bradley Road Wittmann, AZ 85361

$629,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,191 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6721052

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful home in West Bradley Road, Wittmann, Arizona.

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21520 W Watkins Street Buckeye, AZ 85326

$629,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,644 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6730156

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful well-cared for 3-bed/2-bath on 1-ACRE, IRRIGATED LOT WITH HORSE PRIVILEGES. Quality constructed CUSTOM HOME with 2 x 6 framing, NEWER ROOF (2020), ALL NEW LOW-E WINDOWS (2024), TRANE 18-SEER Variable Speed A/C (2016), Porcelain faux-wood tile throughout living space, upgraded custom closets in all closets. Fully fenced back yard with a fenced off area and shade structure for horses. Water available at horse shade with conduit run for electric. RV Parking w/30-AMP hook-up. 3-Car Extended Length Garage. 10' X 14' Tuff Shed Storage w/ upgraded floor and radiant roof barrier for extra insulation. Nestled in a quiet, established neighborhood with *NO HOA*. A short drive from Costco, New Banner Hospital (planned for 2025), schools and I-10 freeway. See Docs for nearby horse arenas.

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3122 E Windmere Drive Phoenix, AZ 85048

$629,900

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,104 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6753762

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome home! This beautiful residence is in the gated Estates at the Ranch, an exclusive single-story home Community in the award-winning Mountain Park Ranch. Offering 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2-car garage, & a low-care landscape. Discover a large living/dining room combo and a separate family room w/fireplace & surround sound! Tall ceilings add to the airy feel, complemented by plantation shutters, & tile flooring in common areas. The kitchen boasts built-in appliances w/cooktop elec, granite counters, recessed lighting, ample wood cabinets, and a breakfast area. Carpeted double-door main bedroom has outdoor access and an ensuite with dual sinks, separate tub/shower, & a walk-in closet. Enjoy the entertainer's backyard with a covered patio, firepit, built-in BBQ, & a sparkling pool!

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6780 W Yearling Road Peoria, AZ 85383

$629,900

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,658 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6776511

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Gorgeous Fully Remodeled Home with all the upgrades: Gourmet Kitchen with Granite Counters, Brand New Stainless Steel Appliances, Gas Range and Refrigerator Included. New Interior Paint, and Carpeting. All New Light fixtures and Ceiling Fans. New Blinds. Sparkling Play Pool, Large 2.5 car garage, Fireplace. High Efficiency TRANE A/C units installed last Year. This home is a must see!!

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8245 E Bell Road Unit 144 Scottsdale, AZ 85260

$629,900

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,472 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6776536

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Come see this Stunning luxury condo inside the highly sought after Montana Del Sol gated golf community on the TPC Scottsdale course! Just down the street from the Fairmont Princess Hotel & across the street from multiple parks. Home features a chefs kitchen with newer quartz slab counters, refurbished custom cabinets, & huge kitchen breakfast bar. Gorgeous plantation shutters throughout, both bathrooms have been heavily updated in beautiful modern farmhouse fashion. Huge master en-suite double sinks, large walk in shower, & oversized custom master closet. Rare two car garage is a bonus. Nicely updated baseboard, lighting fixtures, faucets, etc! Close to 101 freeway for easy commute, Kierland commons outdoor mall, countless restaurants and shopping! Can be purchased fully furnished too!

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8562 E Pierce Street Scottsdale, AZ 85257

$629,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,819 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6759079

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Spectacularly remodeled 3 bdrm & 2 bath home on LARGE cul-de-sac lot w/ 2-car garage, a low maintenance yard, large covered patio, new pavers, & a concrete slab wired for hot tub (is it?). Open floor plan w/ spacious vaulted ceilings. New, matching cabinets & matching quartz counters throughout the home including a HUGE kitchen island & the perfect peninsula. All new windows. Brand new SS appliances incl. fridge, dishwasher, & drawer microwave convey. New modern tile floors throughout (no carpet). Both showers are newly tiled w/large glass enclosure in master. All new fixtures + ceiling fans w/remotes! Fresh paint in/out. OWNER/AGENT.

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6646 S La Rosa Drive Tempe, AZ 85283

$629,800

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,980 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6766132

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Come and see this beautiful 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage, golf course lot home in Tempe. No HOA!! This freshly remodeled home is stunning! As you pull up the new tiered landscaping and fresh paint give the home great curb appeal. Through the front door you are welcomed by an open floor plan featuring brand new wood look flooring in the main living areas and plush patterned carpet in the bedrooms. Your brand new kitchen boasts white shaker cabinets, large island with breakfast bar, custom tile backsplash, new stainless appliances and gorgeous white quartz countertops. The split floor plan has the master suite to the right off of the main living area and it features a new tiled shower, new vanity with quartz top and large walk in closet. The 3 other bedrooms and second bath are on the opposite side of the home. Hall bath also is brand new with a white subway tile wall and new vanity. New door hardware, ceiling fans, light and plumbing fixtures throughout the home give it a modern feel. New window coverings. Oversized laundry room with lots of storage. Out back there is a large patio perfect for outdoor dining with golf course and sunset views of South Mountain. Don't miss out on this gem. Come and see it today!

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