If you’re planning on buying a fixer-upper, these are the improvements you should plan on, in order of priority:

Top priorities

  • HVAC repairs or replacement
  • Plumbing repairs 
  • Electrical repairs
  • Structural roof repairs
  • Foundation repairs 
  • Safety hazards, like damaged stairs and holes in walls

Secondary priorities 

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Communal living spaces, such as living rooms, dining rooms, decks, and patios 
  • Garage door replacements 
  • Simple landscaping refresh

Projects that can wait

  • Paint
  • Wallpaper
  • Flooring
  • Lighting 
  • Decor
  • Major landscaping overhauls
  • Additions, such as pools or extra bedrooms
  • Luxury finishes like high-end appliances or heated floors