4 Cheap Fixer-Uppers for Sale on the West Coast

published Jan 20, 2021
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Credit: Sotheby's International Realty

It’s 28 degrees at my home base in Chicago, which has me cursing the Midwest winter and California dreamin’. More than anything, I’d love to ride out the last leg of this pandemic in a new environment, tackling home improvement projects one by one in a fixer-upper I can make all my own. My 4-month-old pup, Rodeo, would somehow know the difference between a flathead and phillips screwdriver, and she’d be the Jonathan Scott to my Drew. Of course, this is just my impossible fantasy. But minus the canine contractor, snagging an affordable fixer-upper can be a reality. Here are four cheap West Coast fixer-uppers at or below $200,000 that are for sale right now.

Credit: Sotheby's International Realty

Location: Joshua Tree, Calif.
Price: $200,000
Size: 900 square feet
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1

If you’re searching for a simplistic, bright, and spacious desert retreat, this Shangrila Lane spot is just the ticket. A basic kitchen update would complete the space and supply updated amenities. The bathroom could also use some modernization for relaxing soaks after days in the sunny desert. But the bones of this spot appear solid, with big windows for outdoor viewing and expansive desert space outside. Outbuildings and patios are partially complete, just waiting for a new owner to put their own spin on the classic Joshua Tree outpost

Credit: Minton Hometown Properties

Location: Coffee Creek, Calif.
Price: $94,900
Size: 2,100 square feet
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

Folks searching for a rustic project: look no further than this Coffee Creek, Calif., log cabin. The stone fireplace and wood beamed ceilings in the living room are begging for hygge accents. The kitchen as listed offers a blank slate for future owners to customize the space to meet their needs. But the real kicker is the slanted ceilings and big multi-paned windows of the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. Tack on a little outdoor landscaping, and this cabin becomes the full-time home or vacation spot of your West Coast wilderness dreams.

Credit: Coastal Mountain Realty

Location: Brookings, Ore.
Price: $139,900
Size: 460 square feet
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1

This ocean view cabin in Brookings, Ore., is serving some tiny house realness. First of all, that porch! That view! Inside, a dated but spacious open concept living room and eat-in kitchen bask in the gorgeous views. With a little imagination, owners can transform the lofted area into a relaxing second bedroom or den worthy of the stunning surroundings. Tucked in the back of the home is the formal bedroom and bathroom. But nothing tops these views. This natural beauty has some serious potential!

Credit: Hand N Hand Realty

Location: Sylmar, Calif.
Price: $180,000
Size: 1,554 square feet
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

This home, located in suburban Los Angeles and just a short drive from a nearby national forest, has clearly been cared for by its previous owners. A few personalized updates and a bathroom renovation will take this sweet Cali home from “Alright!” to “Amazing!”. Boasting plentiful natural light and ample space, new owners can shelter inside to beat the heat or relax outside to enjoy the incredible mountain views. And just a half hour north of LA, the home is a hop, skip, and jump away from the City of Angels but removed enough for slower-paced living.