Fixer-Uppers in Demand, Report Says

(10/1/25)  If you’re in the market for a fixer-upper, expect to face more competition for available homes. According to a recent analysis by Realtor.com, “fixer-upper fever” is real, and homes marketed as fixer-uppers are drawing 52% more page views than comparable older, affordable listings.

“Fixer-uppers give buyers a way to break into the housing market at a time when affordability is still stretched thin,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “For those with a vision and a toolbox, fixer-uppers provide both a starting point in the market and the chance to create a home that’s truly their own.”

For sellers, listing a home as a fixer-upper, at a lower price, may generate more interest online than if they spend extra money on upgrades to make it move-in ready, Hale said.

According to Realtor.com, the typical fixer-upper has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and was built in 1958.  While these homes may be older and smaller, with a median square footage of 1,628 square feet, rather than the 2,000 for all single-family homes, they offer something in short supply: an affordable path to homeownership for buyers willing to put in sweat equity.

In July 2025, there were 79,175 fixer-uppers on the market – up 18.8% from January 2021, according to Realtor.com. And while they take longer to sell – 53 days on average compared to 50.5 days for similar homes – that gap has narrowed significantly since 2021.

So, if you’re looking for a new home, and you’re handy, be sure to check out the fixer-uppers available in your neighborhood. And, if you’re in St. Louis; Detroit; Jackson, Miss.; Toledo, Ohio or Dayton, Ohio, you might do even better because Realtor.com identified these five markets as among the top in the nation for both the share of fixer-upper listings and price savings.