7 Real-Life Renovations That Prove You Shouldnât Overlook Fixer-Uppers
Donât overlook that fixer-upper â these makeovers prove you can turn any property into a đ!
When youâre looking to buy a home in a heated market with low inventory, you often have to consider properties that wouldnât normally be on your list. These are the homes that are politely referred to as âfixer-uppers,â encompassing everything from â80s time capsules to homes that need a lot of TLC.
Though home makeover shows make the process look easy, itâs difficult to see past the aesthetic challenges when youâre looking at the listing (let alone when youâre touring the home in person). If you donât have a team of designers at your command, the following YouTubers are the next best thing. Each is a real-life homeowner (or design pro) who has renovated, redesigned, or impressively reimagined a property â and reveals what it takes to get to that amazing âafter.â
Homemade Home
Great for: Anyone who wants to see a falling-apart home become livable again.
This YouTuber has a few renovations under his belt, but his tiny house is the most complete in this series. To say that this home was beyond help is an understatement â but it was a budget-friendly buy at only $12,000 (closing costs included). While the project might be beyond your DIY comfort level, itâs proof that every home has potential. For a more in-depth look at the process, watch through the whole playlist.
House of Valentina
Great for: First-time homeowners, suburban home buyers, and anyone facing a dated â80s or â90s home.
The focus is on interiors for this makeover, which started with a very-80s home virtually anyone looking in the suburbs will encounter. This YouTuber brought a modern aesthetic that served to highlight the surprisingly good architectural features that youâd never notice underneath all those dated design choices.
Alexandra Gater
Great for: First-time homeowners, getting small space ideas, and those who donât want to commit to construction. This channel is also great for sellers looking to do their own staging.
Even if youâre looking for a much bigger home, thereâs something clever to learn from this YouTube design proâs channel. This 250-square-foot studio makeover is a case study in how to rethink small rooms: Focus on the space's function rather than the type of furniture youâll bring into the space. See something you particularly like in a room? Alexandraâs makeovers also include a list of everything she bought or used.
Austin Flipsters
Great for: Curb appeal inspiration, suburban homebuyers, and those who are considering a major renovation.
The Austin Flipsters channel feels like a mini-HGTV. These pros have dozens of renovations under their belts â and, more importantly, understand the power of video production value. Each video gives you a before-and-after, along with a good explanation of the challenges that came up along the way. If youâre considering houses in need of major TLC, youâll get a good understanding of how to make it all happen. If youâre watching for fun, youâll come away with a great âeyeâ for curb appeal and rethinking floor plans.
William McNeil
Great for: Old house inspiration, townhouses, and those who gravitate towards a more traditional style.
From a design perspective, redoing an older home that already has interesting architectural features is a bit easier. The actual challenge? How to incorporate more modern elements without making the interiors feel out of place. Williamâs DIY renovation of his Victorian home is an excellent example of balancing old and new, resulting in a timeless look. For a closer look at a few key rooms, check out the full playlist.
Kaylah Stroup
Great for: Old house inspiration on a major (mansion) scale.
It seems that every town has âthatâ home: A rambling house that was once grand but fell into disrepair. Thatâs the home that Kaylah bought, in the form of an 1870s Italianate mansion. Watch along as Kaylah reveals room-by-room before-and-afters, along with fun finds (like a hidden patio). The emphasis is on the renovation, not restoration, and bringing oneâs personal style into a space in unexpected ways.
BeeNeh Builds
Great for: First-time homebuyers, suburban homebuyers, and DIY-savvy buyers on a budget.
The advice of how itâs better to buy the worst house in the best location is true. Yet, the worst house can often have the worst issues. This YouTuber encountered many of the issues a renovation can have: Little to no natural lighting, zero curb appeal, tiny rooms, plumbing issues, and a wall-to-wall carpet that could best be described as âmold green.â This channel goes room-by-room to reveal surprisingly stylish budget-friendly DIYs to all those issues â check out the full playlist to see.
In the end, what keeps many from purchasing a fixer-upper isnât necessarily the fact that the home needs work. Instead, itâs the challenge of envisioning what the âafterâ will be. If these YouTube videos convinced you to consider a fixer-upper, take the next step by starting your home search now. Maybe youâll even end up starting your own YouTube channel in the process.
Start Your Search
Fixer-upper or not, if you're thinking about buying a home this spring, let's start your search.