Key Details:
- Realtor.com reports fixer-uppers get 52% more views than similar homes, with a median list price of $200,000, a 54% discount from the $436,250 median for single-family homes.
- In July 2025, there were 79,175 fixer-uppers listed, up 18.8% from 2021, though they now make up just 5.2% of inventory nationwide.
When affordability is stretched thin, buyers get creative.
According to a new analysis from Realtor.com, homes marketed as fixer-uppers are pulling in 52% more page views than comparable older, affordable listings.
Searches for the keyword “fixer-upper” on Realtor.com have also tripled since 2021, showing just how many buyers are chasing a lower entry point into homeownership and the chance to customize a property to their own taste.
Demand for Fixer-Uppers Is Growing
Nationwide, homes marketed as fixer-uppers now come with a median list price of $200,000. That’s a striking 54% discount compared to the $436,250 median for all single-family homes.
In July 2025, there were 79,175 fixer-uppers on the market, up 18.8% from 66,619 listings in July 2021. Even so, they now make up a smaller share of listings: 5.2% today compared to 6.1% four years ago.
That makes them harder to find despite the increase in raw numbers.
Fixer-uppers still take slightly longer to sell, averaging 53 days on market compared to 50.5 days for similar homes. But the gap has narrowed significantly since 2021, as affordability pressures drive more buyers to consider homes that need work.
Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, explained why these listings are gaining traction.
“Fixer-uppers give buyers a way to break into the housing market at a time when affordability is still stretched thin. 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.”
What the Typical Fixer-Upper Looks Like
Realtor.com found that the median fixer-upper was built in 1958, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
These homes average 1,628 square feet, smaller than the 2,000-square-foot median for all single-family homes, but they offer a more affordable path to ownership for buyers willing to put in sweat equity.
Where Fixer-Uppers Are Most Common
Some metros stand out for having the highest share of fixer-upper listings. In these areas, buyers are more likely to come across properties marketed as needing work:
- Syracuse, NY – 11.5%
- Toledo, OH – 10.3%
- New Orleans-Metairie, LA – 10.2%
- Jackson, MS – 10.0%
- St. Louis, MO-IL – 9.9%
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY – 9.8%
- New Haven, CT – 9.6%
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI – 9.6%
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH – 9.5%
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY – 9.5%
Interestingly, these markets tend to overlap with areas that have fewer new builds, often due to land scarcity or regulatory hurdles.
That makes older, lower-priced homes prime renovation targets.
Where Buyers Can Find the Biggest Discounts
For buyers chasing value, some markets stand out with dramatic fixer-upper price gaps compared to overall median listing prices.
Here are the top 10 metros with the steepest discounts:
- Jackson, MS – $66,750 vs. $299,000 (77.7% discount)
- St. Louis, MO-IL – $99,900 vs. $315,000 (68.3% discount)
- Birmingham, AL – $100,000 vs. $310,000 (67.7% discount)
- Pittsburgh, PA – $79,900 vs. $246,075 (67.5% discount)
- Toledo, OH – $79,975 vs. $234,650 (65.9% discount)
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI – $100,000 vs. $285,000 (64.9% discount)
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH – $97,500 vs. $259,900 (62.5% discount)
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR – $113,825 vs. $282,500 (59.7% discount)
- Wichita, KS – $120,000 vs. $284,950 (57.9% discount)
- Kansas City, MO-KS – $180,000 vs. $412,500 (56.4% discount)
One standout that didn’t make the top 10 is Waco, Texas. Fixer-uppers there are priced at a 53.4% discount, and they make up 10% of all local listings.
The “Fixer-Upper Five”
Realtor.com identified five markets that rank in the top 10 for both share of fixer-upper listings and price savings. These metros combine plentiful supply with significant discounts:
- St. Louis, MO-IL
- Detroit, MI
- Jackson, MS
- Toledo, OH
- Dayton, OH
Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com, added more context on today’s buyer behavior.
“Compared to four years ago, when rates were lower and homes were slightly more affordable, buyers today are showing more interest in fixer-uppers. For those willing to roll up their sleeves, sweat equity can be just as valuable as cash in hand.”
Buyers in these markets are seeing an unusual opportunity: plentiful listings and significant discounts at a time when affordability challenges remain front and center.
This data underscores how affordability pressures are reshaping buyer behavior. While fixer-uppers may not fit every buyer’s needs, they remain a powerful option for those who want to build equity through renovation.
The key is recognizing where these opportunities exist and how they can turn a discounted property into a stepping stone toward long-term homeownership.
