6 Fixer-Uppers in RI
The location, the good bones, the price: These properties offer great deals for handy buyers.
Sold as is. Diamond in the rough. Needs some TLC. Needs work. Finishing touches. Estate sale. These are the golden search phrases if you’re looking to buy a fixer upper of your own.
And before you call it crazy, I have to tell you: I’m one of them. My husband and I (okay, okay: my husband, my dad and my brother) fixed up a chalet-style house in South County over six months last year. It was an exhausting, maddening project — especially with a toddler — but it paid off.
Plus: It’s a hot market, and Rhode Island has a tight housing inventory. So if you’re looking to hit the sweet spot in the best neighborhood, this might be the way to go. Here are six properties, from “sold as is” to “estate sale,” that are worth a second look:
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Warren-1The "sold as is": This Warren bungalow, on the market for $190,000 is adorable in every way. Best guess: A very tidy grandma lived here for some time, and she had style. It has three beds and one bath over 1,232 square feet. (Credit: Re/Max River's Edge)The "sold as is": This Warren bungalow, on the market for $190,000 is adorable in every way. Best guess: A very tidy grandma lived here for some time, and she had style. It has three beds and one bath over 1,232 square feet. (Credit: Re/Max River's Edge)
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Warren-2The "sold as is": It was built in 1924, but the wood paneling gives away a midcentury budget renovation.The "sold as is": It was built in 1924, but the wood paneling gives away a midcentury budget renovation.
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Warren-3The "sold as is": I think the mint cabinetry is actually quite cute. More info here.
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PVD-1The "diamond in the rough": This Providence home, off of Blackstone Boulevard on the East Side, is on the market for $459,000. It has five beds and three baths over 2,114 square feet. (Credit: Residential Properties)The "diamond in the rough": This Providence home, off of Blackstone Boulevard on the East Side, is on the market for $459,000. It has five beds and three baths over 2,114 square feet. (Credit: Residential Properties)
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PVD-2The "diamond in the rough": Looks like there was a smoker in the house. The walls show some damage and some electrical wires are exposed in the main living area. The listing says the windows are new.The "diamond in the rough": Looks like there was a smoker in the house. The walls show some damage and some electrical wires are exposed in the main living area. The listing says the windows are new.
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PVD-3The "diamond in the rough": With some fixer-uppers, you can't help but wonder: What happened here? But the new-to-market home has undeniably good bones. More info here.The "diamond in the rough": With some fixer-uppers, you can't help but wonder: What happened here? But the new-to-market home has undeniably good bones. More info here.
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WK-1The "needs some TLC": This little gem, in West Kingston, is on the market for $249,900. It has three beds and two baths over 1,426 square feet. The interior needs nothing, but the exterior, including the roof, could use some love. (Credit: Randall Realtors)The "needs some TLC": This little gem, in West Kingston, is on the market for $249,900. It has three beds and two baths over 1,426 square feet. The interior needs nothing, but the exterior, including the roof, could use some love. (Credit: Randall Realtors)
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WK-2The "needs some TLC": Save for a ceiling paint job, this West Kingston property is immaculate on the inside.The "needs some TLC": Save for a ceiling paint job, this West Kingston property is immaculate on the inside.
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Warwick-1The "needs work": This three-bed, one-bath Warwick house, built in 1875, is on the market for $125,000. It's about a half-minute walk to Pawtuxet Village. (Credit: Coldwell Banker)The "needs work": This three-bed, one-bath Warwick house, built in 1875, is on the market for $125,000. It's about a half-minute walk to Pawtuxet Village. (Credit: Coldwell Banker)
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Warwick-2The "needs work": From the wallpaper to the kitchen, this place screams "grandma's house."
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Warwick-3The "needs work": Pink bathroom, anyone? Just think: You could take breaks from re-tiling and stripping wallpaper at Basta or Sweet Indulgence. More info here.The "needs work": Pink bathroom, anyone? Just think: You could take breaks from re-tiling and stripping wallpaper at Basta or Sweet Indulgence. More info here.
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Middletown-1The "finishing touches": This raised ranch in Middletown, with four beds and three baths over 2,412 square feet, is on the market for $389,500. The price seems steep for a place loaded with wood paneling, but the location is priceless. It's a short walk to Second and Third beaches. (Credit: Sakonnet Homes)The "finishing touches": This raised ranch in Middletown, with four beds and three baths over 2,412 square feet, is on the market for $389,500. The price seems steep for a place loaded with wood paneling, but the location is priceless. It's a short walk to Second and Third beaches. (Credit: Sakonnet Homes)
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Middletown-2The "finishing touches": You know Joanna Gaines would see the textured ceilings first.
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Middletown-3The "finishing touches": New tile in the kitchen would freshen up the space. More info here.
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Newport-1The "estate sale": The listing agent spares no details: "Welcome to Hazel's house! Mrs. Gaines was a pillar of the community and she will be deeply missed," he writes of this Newport property's matron. It's on the market for $449,000 and it's a block and a half from Newport Harbor, just in the shadow of the Elms mansion. (Credit: The Bellevue Group)The "estate sale": The listing agent spares no details: "Welcome to Hazel's house! Mrs. Gaines was a pillar of the community and she will be deeply missed," he writes of this Newport property's matron. It's on the market for $449,000 and it's a block and a half from Newport Harbor, just in the shadow of the Elms mansion. (Credit: The Bellevue Group)
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Newport-3The "estate sale": Hazel's house was built in 1956 and has three beds and one bath over 1,136 square feet. Everything, from the kitchen to the flooring, needs attention.The "estate sale": Hazel's house was built in 1956 and has three beds and one bath over 1,136 square feet. Everything, from the kitchen to the flooring, needs attention.
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Newport-2The "estate sale": Detailing on the stairway nods to 1950s design, but otherwise the house is fairly simple. The windows and the siding are vinyl. More info here.The "estate sale": Detailing on the stairway nods to 1950s design, but otherwise the house is fairly simple. The windows and the siding are vinyl. More info here.
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