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

Rhea-AI Summary

Realtor.com (NASDAQ:NWSA) reports a significant surge in fixer-upper home interest, with these listings receiving 52% more page views than comparable properties. Searches for "fixer-upper" have more than tripled in four years, as buyers seek affordable housing alternatives amid high prices and mortgage rates.

The analysis reveals fixer-uppers are listed at a median price of $200,000, representing a 54% discount compared to the $436,250 median for all single-family homes. The top five markets for fixer-upper opportunities are St. Louis, Detroit, Jackson (MS), Toledo, and Dayton, combining high inventory with substantial price savings.

Currently, there are 79,175 fixer-uppers on the market, an 18.8% increase from July 2021, though they now represent a smaller share of total listings at 5.2% compared to 6.1% four years ago.

Positive

• Fixer-upper listings receive 52% more page views than comparable properties
• Significant price savings with median fixer-upper prices 54% lower than standard homes
• 18.8% increase in fixer-upper inventory since July 2021
• Narrowing gap in days-on-market between fixer-uppers and standard homes
• Strong market opportunities in five major metropolitan areas with substantial discounts

Negative

• Fixer-uppers represent a declining share of total listings (5.2% vs 6.1% in 2021)
• Longer average time on market (53 days vs 50.5 days for similar homes)
• Properties typically older (1958 median build year) and smaller (1,628 sq ft vs 2,000 sq ft)

Insights

Real Estate Market Analyst

Realtor.com data shows significant demand shift toward fixer-uppers as affordability worsens, highlighting changing consumer behavior in NWSA's key digital segment.

This report reveals a substantial shift in housing market dynamics that directly impacts News Corp's digital real estate services segment, which includes Realtor.com. The data shows fixer-uppers receiving 52% more page views than comparable properties, with searches for these homes more than tripling over four years. This trend signals an important adaptation to the current high-rate, high-price environment that's challenging affordability.

What makes this particularly significant is the 54% price discount these properties offer compared to typical single-family homes ($200,000 vs. $436,250), creating a rare entry point for frustrated buyers. The 18.8% increase in fixer-upper inventory since 2021 shows growing seller awareness of this trend, though these properties still comprise a smaller overall percentage of listings (5.2% vs. 6.1% four years ago).

For News Corp investors, this highlights how Realtor.com is positioned to benefit from evolving consumer preferences. By tracking and reporting on these emerging market segments, the platform maintains relevance amid challenging market conditions. The identified "Fixer-Upper Five" markets (St. Louis, Detroit, Jackson, Toledo, Dayton) represent areas where this trend is particularly pronounced, with discounts reaching nearly 78% in markets like Jackson, Mississippi.

This data illustrates how Realtor.com is leveraging advanced analytics to identify market opportunities, including using large language models to analyze listing descriptions - a technological advantage that helps maintain competitive positioning in the digital real estate space that forms a key growth segment for News Corp.

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

Metro	Fixer-Upper Share
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 %

Metros with the Largest Fixer-Upper Discount

Metro	Fixer-Upper Median Listing Price	Overall SFH Median Listing Price	Fixer-Upper Discount
Jackson, MS	$66,750	$299,000	77.7 %
St. Louis, MO-IL	$99,900	$315,000	68.3 %
Birmingham, AL	$100,000	$310,000	67.7 %
Pittsburgh, PA	$79,900	$246,075	67.5 %
Toledo, OH	$79,975	$234,650	65.9 %
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$100,000	$285,000	64.9 %
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$97,500	$259,900	62.5 %
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$113,825	$282,500	59.7 %
Wichita, KS	$120,000	$284,950	57.9 %
Kansas City, MO-KS	$180,000	$412,500	56.4 %

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, press@realtor.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fixer-uppers-in-high-demand-listings-get-52-more-views-on-realtorcom-302563854.html

SOURCE Realtor.com

FAQ

What is the average price discount for fixer-upper homes on Realtor.com in 2025?

Fixer-uppers are listed at a median price of $200,000, representing a 54% discount compared to the $436,250 median for all single-family homes.

Which cities offer the best opportunities for fixer-upper homes in 2025?

The top five markets are St. Louis, Detroit, Jackson (Mississippi), Toledo, and Dayton, offering both high inventory and significant price discounts compared to move-in ready homes.

How has fixer-upper search interest changed on Realtor.com since 2021?

Searches for 'fixer-upper' have more than tripled in the past four years, with these listings receiving 52% more page views than comparable properties.

What are the typical characteristics of fixer-upper homes on Realtor.com?

The typical fixer-upper has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,628 square feet, and was built in 1958.

Which metro area offers the largest fixer-upper discount in 2025?

Jackson, Mississippi offers the largest discount at 77.7%, with fixer-upper median listing prices of $66,750 compared to overall median home prices of $299,000.