Yahoo Finance 10 best fixer-upper homes to put your own stamp on
Buying a "fixer-upper" — a property that needs work — can have several advantages over one in pristine condition. You’ll be able to design and decorate it to your taste, boost its value and save money, as estate agency Yopa has revealed that an average fixer-upper is discounted by 6.2% compared with a fully-modernised equivalent.
But make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for.
"In many ways it’s a lifestyle commitment and with the price of many building materials significantly higher than a year ago, work will cost more than it used to," says Verona Frankish, Yopa’s CEO.
"Buyers need to fully consider the cost and time required to renovate before they commit."
If you’re keen to tackle a project, all these homes are looking for new owners — and varying degrees of TLC.
1. Insch, Aberdeenshire, offers over £140,000
Packed with potential, this C-listed former watermill comes with its original workings, services in place and full planning permission to be converted into a sizeable four/five bedroom contemporary home.
Read more: 9 romantic homes that could be the perfect match
This won’t happen overnight, but there’s plenty of room on its three-quarters of an acre plot for parking a caravan to live in during the build. Find out more from Purplebricks.
2. Derby, guide price £150,000
This bay-windowed period semi is in a residential area in easy reach of the city centre and the M1.
It has three bedrooms, a first-floor bathroom, a kitchen, separate living and dining rooms, a garage and garden, and could easily be reconfigured to suit a new owner.
You don't have long to decide whether you’re interested, as it goes to auction on 28 February. Register for details and a legal pack at First for Auctions.
3. Kelso, Scottish Borders, £450,000
Unspoilt art deco houses don’t come on the market very often, so three-bedroom Brig House is worth getting excited about.
The exterior has barely changed since it was built in the 1930s, and internally the staircase, doors, woodwork and other details have been retained.
Fitted carpets, flooring, curtains, blinds and light fittings are included in the price, though you may want to replace them when renovating. Contact Taits.
4. High Salvington, Worthing, West Sussex, £495,000
With a double-length garage and a 135-foot long garden, this detached bungalow offers plenty of scope for extending as well as refurbishing, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
It consists of three double bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, a lounge, and a dining room with French doors into a semi-circular conservatory, plus roof space. Get in touch with Michael Jones.
5. Dartmouth, Devon, guide price £550,000
Middle Weeke nestles in a peaceful, rural setting high above Dartmouth and is a 10-minute walk from the South West coastal path.
Currently there are four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two reception rooms but complete renovation is required.
Read more: 8 heritage homes with star quality
If it hasn’t been snapped up beforehand, it’ll be offered for sale at auction on 14 March. For further information, contact Marchand Petit.
6. Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Country Durham, £625,000
Six-bedroom, Grade II* listed Unthank Hall dates back many centuries and is said to be one of the oldest unaltered L-shaped manor houses in the north of England.
It boasts mullion windows, stone fireplaces, flagstone floors, exposed wooden beams and wall panelling and although it’s been sympathetically restored, could do with further modernisation. Through Strutt & Parker.
7. Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, £850,000
Built during the 19th century, The Vicarage is centrally located in a picturesque village and has five bedrooms and a mature walled garden with views of the church.
There are some original features such as timber flooring and service bells, but it’s very tired and looking for a buyer with the imagination to make it a wonderful family home. Available through Cheffins.
8. Dunwich, Saxmundham, Suffolk, offers over £1m
Anyone wanting a large family home close to the beach and who's up to the challenge of upgrading it should check out Bridge House.
Read more: 8 new family homes to put on your watch list
This attractive six-bedroom property stands in three acres of grounds and includes four reception rooms and a two-bedroom flat — which has been rented out — though the layout won’t be hard to change during the modernisation process. On the market through Winkworth.
9. The Vat House, Vauxhall, London SW8, £2.5m
The bones of this split level penthouse are good but the décor needs updating. Previously part of the Sarsons vinegar factory, it’s within a gated complex and on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years.
It is composed of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility room, a vast living/dining room with a high ceiling and adjacent kitchen, and a south-facing roof terrace.
Residents have use of a swimming pool, gym and other facilities. Through Knight Frank.
10. Kenwood, London N2, £6.5m
According to Zoopla, the average selling price on this prestigious street is £10.3m so you could be quids in when buying this four-bedroom house.
Constructed in 1959, it is one of the few that hasn’t yet been redeveloped though planning consent has been granted by the local authority to demolish and replace it with a new state-of-the-art mansion.
At 13,000 square feet, the floor area will be over five times its present size. For more information contact Arlington Residential.
Watch: UK house prices creep up as experts predict 'smoother year' for buyers and sellers
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