Find It, Buy It, Fix It: The Insider's Guide to Fixer Uppers [Paperback]

Robert Irwin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Find It, Buy It, Fix It | Publication Date: December 14, 2000

Looking for a cost cffective way to join the real estate boom?
Although it's not for everyone, for those willing to accept the challenges of fixer uppers, buying and fixing up less than prime properties can be one of the most lucrative opportunities available. This is a one stop guide for anyone considering buying or investing in houses, apartments, and commercial properties that work. You'll find loads of money saving and money making advice on how to find the best fixer uppers, inspect the properties to avoid "money pits," identify ugly duckling properties that need only quick cosmetic fixes, and structure deals to achieve win-win outcomes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In this era of rising real-estate and building costs, it's natural that homeowner wannabes are turning to the less expensive (though more problematic) joys of fixer-uppers. Robert Irwin is a specialist in the area of improvable real estate, and this book is a terrific primer for those do-it-yourselfers who want to save money on the house of their dreams (or turn it around for a tidy profit). Irwin pulls no punches--he starts off with a quiz to determine what manner of fixer the potential buyer is able to handle; lays out the issue of money early on, keeping it firmly at the forefront of every chapter; and includes a horror story or two just to make sure the reader isn't easily scared off. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" seems to be his motto, however, and the venturesome handyperson will learn a lot from this book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Praise for previous edition:

“On a scale of 1 to 10, this extraordinary book rates a 12.” —Bob Bruss, Syndicated Columnist, Tribune Media Services --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing; 2nd edition (December 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793139023
• ISBN-13: 978-0793139026
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,438,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unless you are an absolute beginner, don't waste your money!, November 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Find It, Buy It, Fix It: The Insider's Guide to Fixer-Uppers (Paperback)

Robert Irwin writes in general terms about things that are common sense to anyone who knows a screwdriver from a hammer. This book is strictly for someone that has not even purchased a house before. One last note; If you do buy this book, buy it from Amazon.com because it cost me four dollars more at my local book store!

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide to buying and rehabbing a fixer-upper., October 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Find It, Buy It, Fix It: The Insider's Guide to Fixer-Uppers (Paperback)

This is a step-by-step guide to buying and rehabbing a handyman's (or woman's) special. Real estate expert Robert Irwin shows you how to decide if you're the right person for the project. If so, you'll learn how to locate a property, check it out, become its proud owner, then assemble your "dream team" of plumbers, electricians, and other contractors. You'll also find lots of helpful advice on estimating costs, financing the deal, and deciding what parts of the many projects to tackle yourself.

10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and informative, March 12, 2001

By 

Don A. Deisheron (Modesto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Find It, Buy It, Fix It: The Insider's Guide to Fixer Uppers (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book that saved me countless dollars and hours in helping me figure out how the best way was to make my newly acquired 'fixer-upper' a dream home.