Selling a Fixer-Upper in Boston?
If you watch enough HGTV, you might believe that all it takes to sell an old house is a fresh coat of grey paint and some subway tile.
But if you own a fixer-upper in Boston, you know the reality is much harsher.
Boston's housing stock is old. Really old. Whether you have a Victorian in Jamaica Plain, a triple-decker in Dorchester, or a cape in Hyde Park, you aren't just dealing with cosmetic updates. You are likely dealing with "invisible" monsters like knob-and-tube wiring, lead paint, and 100-year-old slate roofs.
When it comes time to sell, you have two choices:
- Spend months and tens of thousands of dollars trying to modernize the house for a retail buyer.
- Sell the house "As-Is" to a cash buyer.
Before you call a contractor, you need to see the real numbers. Here is the true cost of fixing up a home in Massachusetts—and why you might not get that money back.
The "Boston Premium" on Construction Costs
Renovating a home in Massachusetts is significantly more expensive than the national average. Labor shortages and high material costs mean that a "simple" kitchen remodel in Roslindale isn't going to cost $15,000. It's going to cost $45,000.
2024-2025 Average Costs for Common Repairs in Greater Boston
| Project | Average Boston Cost | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Remodel | $40,000 – $80,000 | 6–10 Weeks |
| New Roof (Asphalt) | $12,000 – $20,000 | 1 Week |
| Rewire House (Knob & Tube) | $15,000 – $30,000 | 2–3 Weeks |
| Bathroom Update | $15,000 – $35,000 | 3–5 Weeks |
| Heating System (Boiler) | $8,000 – $12,000 | 3 Days |
The Hard Truth: If you spend $50,000 renovating your kitchen, you rarely increase the sale price by $50,000. In many cases, you might only get $30,000 back. You are essentially paying to work.
The "Deal Killers" Retail Buyers Won't Touch
Even if you do the cosmetic stuff (painting, flooring), retail buyers—the people looking for a "forever home" on Zillow—are terrified of structural issues.
If a buyer's home inspector finds any of the following, the deal will likely fall through (or they will demand a massive price reduction):
1. Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Found in thousands of Boston homes built before 1950.
- The Issue: It's a fire hazard and ungrounded.
- The Problem: Most insurance companies will not insure a home with active knob-and-tube. If the buyer can't get insurance, they can't get a mortgage. You will be forced to pay an electrician $20k+ to rewire the whole house before you can sell.
2. Lead Paint
If your home was built before 1978 (which is 80% of Boston), it likely has lead paint.
- The Issue: Massachusetts has strict "Lead Law" requirements, especially if the buyer has children under 6. De-leading a property is expensive and requires specialized certified contractors.
3. Foundation Issues
Boston soil (especially in filled areas like Back Bay or parts of East Boston) shifts.
- The Issue: Cracks in the foundation or bowing walls scare away 99% of retail buyers.
These "deal killers" are exactly why we buy houses as-is—no repairs needed.
The "As-Is" Advantage
When you sell to a cash buyer like All Vest Group, you bypass the entire renovation nightmare.
We Buy the Risk
We are investors. We expect the house to need work.
- Knob-and-Tube? We handle it.
- Leaky Roof? We fix it.
- Hoarder Situation? We clear it out.
You don't have to hire a single contractor. You don't have to pull a permit at City Hall. You don't have to worry about a home inspector finding a surprise in the attic.
Compare the Profit
Let's look at a hypothetical example of a dated home in Mattapan.
Scenario A: You Renovate & List
- Target Sale Price: $650,000
- Renovation Costs: -$75,000 (Kitchen, paint, electrical)
- Realtor Fees (5%): -$32,500
- Holding Costs (4 months): -$12,000
- Net to You: $530,500 (Plus 4 months of stress)
Scenario B: Sell "As-Is" to Us
- Cash Offer: $535,000
- Renovation Costs: $0
- Realtor Fees: $0
- Holding Costs: $0 (Close in 10 days)
- Net to You: $535,000
In this scenario, you actually make more money by doing less work. See how our process works.
Don't Get Stuck in "Renovation Purgatory"
We talk to sellers every week who started a renovation project two years ago and ran out of money or energy. They are living in a construction zone, stressed out, and just want it over.
You do not have to finish the project.
We buy houses mid-construction, gutted, or simply outdated. Whether you're dealing with an inherited property that needs work or you're a tired landlord with a distressed property, we can help.
