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Property Spotlight
1 of 2 photos Placitas For Sale $125,000 0 Beds / 0 Baths
Phenomenal view lot nestled in gated community. Located at end of cul-de-sac for maximum privacy. Overlooks valley, mountains & mesa for a truly unique Land of Enchantment lifestyle...
1 of 8 photos Rio Rancho For Sale $137,000 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Spacious corner lot with home set back on the property gives plenty of room & privacy. Fully landscaped front and back, front yard needs no care as it is beautifully maintained by the HOA...
1 of 0 photos Rio Rancho For Sale $139,900 2 Beds / 1 Baths
You wont find a better buy availabe on the market than this beautiful home in a park-like setting on almost 1/3 acre lot with mountain views and landscaping that will take your breath away!..
1 of 8 photos Albuquerque For Sale $143,900 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Charming and Gracious this Petitte Retreat Offers: Wonderful open floorplan, large living room with cozy fireplace, sunny kitchen with pantry and dining area which opens to rear yard...
1 of 3 photos Placitas For Sale $149,500 0 Beds / 0 Baths
Beautiful views from this Placitas/Sundance Mesa vacant land. Build your dream home. Enjoy sunset, mesa And mountain views. Surrounded by beautiful custom homes...
1 of 6 photos Placitas For Sale $150,000 0 Beds / 0 Baths
Best priced lot in Anasazi Trails and best deal in all of Placitas! Amazing private view lot with mountain and mesa views overlooking the arroyo with EZ access to I-25...
1 of 0 photos Albuquerque For Sale $162,000 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Spacious, light bright two story with master bedroom downstairs for privacy. Large backyard with lovely landscaping. Enjoy this conveniently located terrific neighborhood in a gated community...
1 of 8 photos Rio Rancho For Sale $164,000 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Fantastic 3 BR home on cul de sac lot w/unobstructed views of mnts from living room/front bdrm! Features incl. living area w/vaulted ceilings/frml dining/ceiling fans thruout & ceramic tile/carpet...
1 of 8 photos Albuquerque For Sale $165,000 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Great Sivage single story home on corner cul-de-sac lot in West Pointe Sub at Ventana Ranch. Open, light & bright, versatile floorplan. The dining room could be used as second living area...
1 of 0 photos Albuquerque For Sale $169,900 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Really the best our market has to offer. Priced to sell. True pride of ownership + lots of extras that puts this WAY above the rest. Pitched tile roof, ...
1 of 0 photos Rio Rancho For Sale $169,900 3 Beds / 2 Baths
It doesnt get any better! Incredible curb appeal invites you into this fabulous 3 BR home in Western Hills w/many updates & recent paint. Great kitchen w/breakfast bar & newer appliances...
1 of 8 photos Albuquerque For Sale $175,000 4 Beds / 2 Baths
Wide open spaces! Traditional brick home on 1 acre of property, well situated on a corner lot. Gather at the breakfast bar in your country eat-in kitchen. New countertop in bathroom...
1 of 6 photos Albuquerque For Sale $175,000 3 Beds / 2 Baths
Charming and Gracious this lovely home features: Open spacious rooms, complete kitchen remodel with tons of counter space, gorgeous custom cabinetry and wonderful sunny eating area, large living room, ..
Buying a Fixer Upper Ask many a home buyer about the type of house they are looking for and many will reply "We are looking for something we can fix up and live in (or resell). We like the idea of gaining some quick sweat equity." The classic "fixer-upper" home. Unfortunately, there is a bit of fantasy in the notion, though. First of all, there are many more fixer-upper buyers than there are fixer-upper properties. Second, the current thinking in many minds is that anyone can make a killing in the Real Estate market, which is not always the case. Third,
many buyers totally mis-estimate both the cost and the time involved in fixer-uppers, severely impacting (and in some cases destroying) the profit potential. Unless you are fully prepared to deal with the realities of fixer-uppers rather than the fantasies, it probably is a good idea to look elsewhere for a home.
This does not mean that there isn't equity to be gained (or profit to be made) by purchasing the RIGHT property at the RIGHT price. The important notion is to understand that there are several factors that will make the difference between winning and losing in such a transaction.
The Mindset
The first factor that must be understood is that it isn't going to be easy. The only people who think that finding, buying, fixing and selling a home is an easy task are those who have never done it. Those with any experience (even if only once) will tell you that it rarely is as simple as it appears. In general, it is best to assume that repairs will cost twice what you estimated, take double the amount of time and,when finished, the house will be worth less than expected. If you keep that in the forefront of your thinking, the chances of being burned are much less.
Foreclosure sales are often good sources for fixer-upper properties.
Start Out Small
Some of the worst examples of mistakes made by buyers of fixer-uppers are first-time buyers who bite off way more than they can chew. Examples of this are houses that have structural problems or will take an exceptionally long time to repair, or are located somewhere other than a desirable neighborhood. These can be a horrible drain on finances, time and peace of mind.
A much better strategy for the inexperienced is to purchase a home in a desirable neighborhood that is in need of cosmetic attention--new paint, carpeting, appliances, landscaping and the like. These repairs can either be handled by the homeowner or are easily contracted out, saving time, effort and money. Yes, money can be made on homes needing major renovations, even if they
are in less popular neighborhoods, but these are jobs for professionals, not homeowners (and definitely not for first-time homeowners!)
Avoid Surprises
The most expensive situations are often those that are the least expected--those nasty little (and often big) surprises that jump out at you. You can avoid many of these surprises, though, with a couple of easy steps taken BEFORE final commitment to a property.
1) Have the property thoroughly inspected. Have the inspector detail all obvious (as well as potential) defects in the property. NOTE: The seller may say "we are selling the house as-is, so NO inspections." Avoid this property like the plague.
2) Run the numbers. You must know the market values for houses in the neighborhood in which you are interested that need no repairs. Running the numbers means working them backwards to see how much equity or profit may be available (or even IF there will be any) in the deal. You will need to begin by computing the realistic value of the home when all repairs are made. From that point, you will need to subtract any selling expenses you will incur (commissions and the like) as well as the full cost of repairs and, most importantly, the amount of desired profit or equity.
Example:
$120,000: Expected Sale Price, Repaired
-7,500: Selling Expenses
-17,500: Repair Expenses -10,000: Desired Profit/Equity
$85,000: Maximum Property Purchase Price
Don't be deluded into thinking that you'll be able to sell for more than the market value or do the repairs for less than the estimates. If the numbers don't fit--with a good amount of "wiggle room" for more expense or handling costs or if the property does not sell quickly--don't waste your time or your money!
Summing Up
When considering a fixer-upper, whether for resale or to live in with increased equity, go into the process fully prepared so you will avoid many surprises. For your first project, only consider structurally sound homes in good neighborhoods requiring cosmetic repairs only. Have any property you are considering fully inspected and then get firm estimates for all needed repairs. Most importantly, "run the numbers" to be certain that the potential for gain is truly there. If you are satisfied on all counts, you may very well be able to be successful with your fixer-upper project!
Ask many a home buyer about the type of house they are looking for and many will reply "We are looking for something we can fix up and live in (or resell). We like the idea of gaining some quick sweat equity." The classic "fixer-upper" home. Unfortunately, there is a bit of fantasy in the notion, though. First of all, there are many more fixer-upper buyers than there are fixer-upper properties. Second, the current thinking in many minds is that anyone can make a killing in the Real Estate market, which is not always the case. Third,
many buyers totally mis-estimate both the cost and the time involved in fixer-uppers, severely impacting (and in some cases destroying) the profit potential. Unless you are fully prepared to deal with the realities of fixer-uppers rather than the fantasies, it probably is a good idea to look elsewhere for a home.
Don't be deluded into thinking that you'll be able to sell for more than the market value or do the repairs for less than the estimates. If the numbers don't fit--with a good amount of "wiggle room" for more expense or handling costs or if the property does not sell quickly--don't waste your time or your money!
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