Fixer-Uppers in High Demand: Listings Get 52% More Views on Realtor.com®

New report shows searches for "fixer-upper" have more than tripled in four years, with buyers eyeing these heavily discounted homes as a way to break into today's tough market

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As higher home prices and mortgage rates continue to challenge buyers nationwide, fixer-uppers are emerging as a rare opportunity to break into the market at a lower cost – and the data shows interest is climbing fast. A new Realtor.com^® analysis finds homes marketed as fixer-uppers receive 52% more page views per property than comparable older, affordable homes. Searches for the keyword "fixer-upper" on Realtor.com^® in July 2025 were more than triple the volume of four years earlier, highlighting a growing appetite for budget-friendly homes that buyers can make their own.

Nationwide, homes marketed as fixer-uppers come with a median list price tag of just $200,000, a striking 54% discount compared to the $436,250 median for all single-family homes. Realtor.com^® found five hot spots for buyers interested in fixer-uppers and these potential deals: St. Louis; Detroit; Jackson, Miss.; Toledo, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio.

"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 the 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 their 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."

Fixer-Uppers are catching buyers' eyes

The typical fixer-upper has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and was built in 1958. While these homes tend to be older and smaller, with a median square footage of 1,628 square feet compared to 2,000 for all single-family homes, they offer something in short supply: a more affordable path to home ownership for buyers willing to put in sweat equity.

In July 2025, there were 79,175 fixer-uppers on the market – up 18.8% from July 2021 (66,619 listings) – but they now make up a smaller share of listings: 5.2% today vs. 6.1% then, making them somewhat rarer than four years ago.

While fixer-uppers still take slightly longer to sell – 53 days on average versus 50.5 days for similar homes – the gap has narrowed significantly since 2021. Rising mortgage rates and home prices have shifted buyer behavior, making the strategy of buying lower-priced homes and adding sweat equity even more appealing.

Midwest, Northeast and South lead the way in fixer-upper opportunities

A handful of metros stand out for fixer-upper opportunities, combining plentiful listings with significant savings. The markets with the most fixer-uppers tend to be in the Midwest and Northeast, and the markets with the best discounts on fixer-uppers tend to be in the Midwest and South.

Interestingly, markets with the most fixer-uppers tend to have the fewest new builds. In places where land is scarce or construction faces regulatory hurdles, housing supply can't keep up with demand. That makes older, lower-priced homes prime candidates for renovation, and prime opportunities for buyers willing to take on a project

The Fixer-Upper Five: Top markets for value and inventory

Realtor.com^® identified five markets that rank in the top 10 for both share of fixer-upper listings and price savings. Those are:

• St. Louis
• Detroit
• Jackson, Miss.
• Toledo, Ohio
• Dayton, Ohio 

These "Fixer-Upper Five" combine plentiful supply with prices often less than half of comparable move-in-ready homes, offering fertile ground for first-time buyers and investors alike. Although excluded from the analysis because it falls outside the top 100 metros, Waco, Texas – home to HGTV's popular Fixer Upper series – offers a fixer-upper discount of more than 53.4%, with these homes making up 10.0% of local listings, making it another affordable target with plentiful opportunities.

"Compared to four years ago, when rates were lower and homes were slightly more affordable, buyers today are showing more interest in fixer-uppers," said Realtor.com^® Senior Economist Joel Berner. "For those willing to roll up their sleeves, sweat equity can be just as valuable as cash in hand."

Metros with the Highest Share of Fixer Uppers

Metros with the Largest Fixer-Upper Discount

Methodology

We looked at listings on Realtor.com^® for the periods of July 2025 and July 2021. To be considered a fixer-upper or a fixer-upper competitor, a listing must be priced below the median price per square foot in its zip code and be at least 20 years old. To determine if the listing is being marketed as a fixer-upper, a large language model tool within Snowflake is prompted with examples of fixer-upper language and reads the listing description to determine if the home is being marketed as move-in ready or as a home that needs work. Fixer-uppers and their competitors (similar low-cost, older homes) are put into separate groups and their market statistics (such as median listing price, time on market, total page views) are aggregated at the metro and national level for comparison against each other.

About Realtor.com^®

Realtor.com^® pioneered online real estate and has been at the forefront for over 25 years, connecting buyers, sellers, and renters with trusted insights, professional guidance and powerful tools to help them find their perfect home. Recognized as the No. 1 site trusted by real estate professionals, Realtor.com^® is a valued partner, delivering consumer connections and a robust suite of marketing tools to support business growth. Realtor.com^® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc.

Media Contact: Sara Wiskerchen, [email protected]

 

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SOURCE Realtor.com