Most people want the turnkey home, with the perfect granite counter tops and hardwood floors. I wanted a home with stubborn personality (figured I shouldn’t be the only one). Because nothing says “fresh start’ like replacing the subfloor.

The Appeal of a Fixer-Upper

Many people buy fixer uppers for a multitude of reasons. Mine however have more to do with family. Yes, I got a good deal with years of updating to do, but mine was part of an old family farm. That meant there was a second home on the property where my parents could live. So as they age, they’re close to me. Also mine is a 1960’s brick ranch that had already gone through some remodeling making it handicap accessible. Our oldest granddaughter was wheelchair bound with Hoyer lifts and gate trainers. So having a home with no stairs and handicap bathroom all ready in place for her just made sense. Plus we aren’t getting any younger ourselves and with a hubby that military injuries this helps with the need of larger repairs down the line. Plus just between you and me I wanted a home that would test my sanity (and my marriage).

However I have clients who only so much in the budget for a home and are fine with updating as they go. (Room by Room I call it) Others want to be able to own a small piece of history and love the idea of bringing the original beauty back with touches of modern comfort to it. And the most common reason “It gives it personality” As amazing as a new home is there is nothing like walking into an older home and seeing all the details that made it special.

Why the High Country is Perfect for this lifestyle

Let’s be honest. Shiny finishes are great, but they don’t put food on the table (unless you’re eating takeout, in which case… carry on). I wanted land — enough for a garden, a chicken run, and maybe some goats down the line. Around here in the High Country, you can stretch your dollar further with a fixer-upper that comes with a few acres, instead of dropping top dollar on a “perfect” home with no space to plant a single tomato.

One thing I love about Alleghany and Ashe counties is how neighbors still show up for each other. You buy a fixer-upper here, and suddenly you’ve got locals driving by, offering advice on how to keep your pipes from freezing or which hardware store guy will cut you the best deal on lumber. (And yes, sometimes the “advice” comes whether you asked for it or not.) But it’s part of the charm. After all, many here grew up farming and homesteading, so listen to the advice. And who knows if ya get in good you might even get Granny Fay’s wild persimmon jam recipe.

Even on the days I’m covered in paint splatters and wondering why my bathroom reno has turned into an archeological dig… I look outside and remember why I chose this. The mountains. The peace. The history rooted deep in the Appalachian (just so you know it is pronounced Apple-at-cha) . And the freedom to build something of my own, instead of settling for “ready-made.” This is where you can breathe deeper, watch your kids run wild, and maybe raise chickens without the HOA sending angry letters

The Realities (aka The Not so Pretty Side)

Yes, fixer-uppers take work. But every project — whether it’s patching drywall or building that chicken run — adds value. Not just in dollars, but in the way this place feels like ours. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or, let’s be real, watch a few YouTube tutorials and call in backup), a fixer-upper can be one of the smartest investments you’ll ever make. Even if you have no plans to ever sell, I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “They will carry me out in a pine box before I move again”, knowing that your initial investment has doubled that’s a good feeling to have so you know in case of life happening you are covered and if they do carry you out in that pine box you have a lil something to leave to those left behind.

Is my house perfect? Not even close. (In fact, if you drop a loaf of bread in the kitchen you might crack one of the tiles) But it’s got character. Those squeaky floors and quirky old doors? They tell a story. And honestly, I’d rather build my own dream over time than move into a “magazine house” that doesn’t feel like mine. And nothing makes a house feel like yours then tearing down a wall.

At the end of the day this isn’t for everyone, and I know that. The over head cost of repairs can beyond stress you out never mind the surprise repairs that have to be fixed today. And yes we can negotiate some repairs into a closing but that wont help with all of them. The feeling of “I am never going to get this done” can be so overwhelming you’ll wonder why you ever thought you could handle this. Then you’ll lay that last time in the bathroom and you’ll see a glimpse of the dream coming together and it will be all you can do not to pick up the sledge hammer before your ready. Never mind the sometimes daily emotional rollercoaster. Trust me your Pinterest board will lie to you, ask me how I know.

Seeing the Vision

Seeing the big picture come together takes a balance of necessities and dreams. You may have always wanted a lemon yellow kitchen with an antique highboy cast iron sink but there is no point of even starting that if the pipes leak or the well pump is fried. Fix what needs to be fixed then do something “pretty” for you so you can keep the dream going.

Here’s the hardest part about buying a fixer-upper homestead: ‘Chick Days’ at your local feed store. I know, the peeps are cute. But if your roof still leaks and your chicken run isn’t built, resist the temptation. These mountains aren’t a petting zoo — foxes, coyotes, and the occasional bear will gladly make your feathered friends a midnight snack