Investing in Fixer-Uppers : A Complete Guide to Buying Low, Fixing Smart, Adding Value, and Selling (or Renting) High

"Excellent book on the fixer strategy."--John T. Reed, bestselling real estate author

"Filled with practical examples of how to profit from rundown fixer-upper properties."--Robert J. Bruss, syndicated real estate columnist

Nobody wants to buy an ugly, decrepit, rundown house--which is exactly why they provide real estate investors with the best bargains! In Investing in Fixer-Uppers, nationally known real estate guru Jay DeCima reveals how investors can add thousands of dollars to the value of an "ugly" house. He discusses how to substitute personal skills for traditional down payments, strategies to profit without waiting for appreciation, and dozens of other value-adding tips.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A Great Book, 2007-12-17
This is a great book that will pay for itself! I do not see why people are complaining that this not a flipper book - because it's obviously not a flipper book in any way! The title clearly says Investing in Fixer-Uppers : A Complete Guide to Buying Low, Fixing Smart, Adding Value, and Selling (or Renting) High. It does not say buy a piece of trash, paint, and sell it to the next gullible sucker. (i.e. the mentality of most get-rich-quick flippers nowadays.) This is a buy and hold for huge profits book. If you want a flipper book, then search for flipper books. If you want to retire one day soon (or at least know you can!), then stop watching the Flip This House TV shows with grossly inflated profit margins, and buy this book! Don't believe everything you see on TV.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

I can't agree, 2007-08-01
I can't agree with those who criticize this book for being like all other real estate investment books. This book is a breath of fresh air from many other real estate books! The author actually offers practical advice from his experience, and its written in a readable and humorous manner.

In particular, the author's description of the Haywood Houses purchase on pagers 16 to 25 is a good example that addresses many of the issues that new (and experienced) investors face, such as:

1.) Where do you find your investment houses? Jay found his in the newspaper. I found my first investment property in the newspaper also. It was a great fix-up bargain at $85,000 in 2002, and is a great rental property now, bringing in over $200/month;

2.) What do you do when you find a good property? Jay says "act quickly" when you find a property in neglect. Jay says houses in neglect are worth big bucks for us do-it-yourself fix-up investors. Jay's list of what constitutes an ugly property, including "unsightly yards, no painting done for years, broken down fences, unsupervised dogs & cats." This list should be taped on our walls to constantly remind investors what we are looking for;

3.) Fixing people problems. The property was overrun by scary looking people with tattoos who drank beer and worked on junk cars. The owner wanted out. Jay fixed the sort-term people problem in exchange for receiving valuable long-term benefits.

This is a useful book that I keep handy.


Terry Sprouse - author of the book, "Fix 'em Up, Rent 'em Out: How to Start Your Own House Fix-up and Rental Business in Your Spare Time."


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

This book is worth $46,000.00. Here's what it did for me:, 2007-03-29
I have read this book 5 times now, and am putting his strategies to good use. Using Jay's strategies, I just fixed up an older house in my neighborhood. With 3 month's part time work, (I also teach 3rd grade) I now have 28k in equity, and 209.00 per month positive cashflow. The house was even owner financed, 2% down, and deferred payments too! (Jay's strategies). Next week, I will close on a second rental property for $46,500, and it appraises for $65,000. Some folks say Jay is too folksy, but he can be as folksy as he wants to be if his strategies get me $46,000 in equity in less than 6 months.


4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Good basic primer for beginners, 2006-11-22
I found this book to be a good primer for new real estate investors. Seasoned pros could find a nugget or two as well. More than anything else, DeCima's writing style, folksy as it is, is just fun to read. A good addition to your real estate library.


7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

How much would you pay for a good tip?, 2006-01-15
For the most part I find book reveiws helpful. But I wonder about those by who expect to get the whole nine and a half yards for $12.98. If I can get one tip that may help me make thounsands $$ (and it has) for the price of a Subway lunch, then I'm ordering up. A guide to Investing in Fixer-Uppers, $12.98; Investing in yourself, priceless.

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