Editorial Review
Expert money-making advice from the nation's leading fixer-upper guru
"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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Customer Reviews
better than the rest. 
2006-01-11
Best RE book I've read. Read over 30 so far. This guy doesn't blow smoke up your butt like the other RE gurus.
One of the better books on the subject 
2005-10-12
This book offers some real, no-nonsense advice for people interested in investing in distressed properties. While this book is not perfect, it does offer a solid point of view on this subject and is worth taking a look at. As with most of these types of books, I found that only the first third of the book was really dedicated to finding fixer-uppers and to the planning stages, while the rest of if was dedicated to "creative financing" and management of financial resources and assest. That is the problem with most of these books, since it is finding the right property that is the most crucial part, though this book in particular provides decent advice on how to do that and who to enlist to help you find properties.
Lots of good content 
2005-06-13
The negative reviews on this book are way off. I've read many real estate investing books and most of them talk about all the wonderful deals they've made and how you can do it to... but never give you DETAILS. Jay gives lot of good information and shows you how to cover your ass so you don't make the mistakes that a lot of R.E. investors make (overpaying, over-estimating income, under-estimating expenses, believing what the sellers say about the income potential.) I'm just as glad that these reviewers don't follow his advice; more opportunities for those of us that heed it!
Carbon copy of every other book out there 
2004-05-11
These books all seem to be the same -- give a few basic ideas, then repeat them for 200 or 300 pages. By the time I got to the end of this, I was half expecting him to finish with a pitch for one of his seminars. I am interested in the renting aspects, and there were a few helpful nuggets in here, but I suspect it could have all been boiled down to a much shorter book.
I really... 2004-03-28
dont see the other reviewers beef with this book. Nowhere on the cover does the book mention anything about flipping. I also wonder if they bothered to read it. It clearly does not advocate becoming a "slum lord". It recommends against investing in these types of properties. It does recommend investing in older neighborhoods, in fact on pg. 97 it breaks down the 5 general types of areas or neighborhoods in most towns or cities and tells you exactly where to invest.
As far as flipping, if you follow Jay's advice instead of renting you could then sell. The book is all about how to find these types of properties and how to purchase them for the right price( As most real estate investors know, the profit is made in the purchase.)
Starting on pg. 56 he offers 4 ways to find such properties.
On pg. 73 he tells you step by step what to do when you find such a property.
On pg. 86 how to find the right real estate agent to help you.
It covers negotiating, fix-up strageties, where the profit centers to each deal are, financing and refinancing,finding partners, other avenues for investment monies and landlording skills towards the END of the book.
I really thought this a practical book full of good advice for the beginner.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
