There are many options to consider when shopping for your new home. Do you buy one that already has exactly what you want and pay a little more up front? Or spend less up front by purchasing a fixer-upper and put in a little elbow grease?

“Buying a fixer-upper upper can be a great idea. You get a home in a great area at an affordable price with the potential of getting twice what you paid for it in value once you’ve finished a couple repairs. This of course is a best case scenario, but it is achievable. However, there are lots of things to think about before you take the plunge and invest your time, money and personal energies into a fixer-upper. Let’s start with a simple pro and con list to help you decide if you should purchase a fixer-upper.”

Read the entire article here… http://firstteamrealestate.realtytimes.com/advicefromagents1/item/26906-what-every-buyer-needs-to-know-about-buying-a-fixer-upper

Pierce County Statistics:

Homes for sale in Spanaway: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 62. Up 6.9% compared to the last month

Homes for sale in Tacoma: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 54.  Zero change compared to last month.

Homes for sale in Lakewood: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 67.  Up 13.6% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in Fife: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 66.  Up 65m% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in Milton: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 28.  Down 53.3% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in Edgewood: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 20.  Down 75.9% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in University Place: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 53.  Down 1.9% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in Fircrest: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 0.  Down 100% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in Dupont: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 29.  Down 37% compared to the last month.

Homes for sale in Puyallup: Average Days on Market in November 2013: 60.  Up 7.1% compared to the last month.