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Fixer Upper Homes for Sale in Fish Haven, Utah
Fish Haven sits on the Utah side of the Idaho border, hugging the southwest shore of Bear Lake at about 5,900 feet of elevation. The community is mostly cabins, second homes, and a small core of year-round residents, which means the fixer upper inventory here looks different than what you'd see in Ogden or Provo. Most properties needing work are 1960s–1980s cabins with original kitchens, aging septic systems, and roofs that have taken a beating from heavy snow loads. The upside is that even a tired structure on a half-acre within walking distance of the turquoise water of Bear Lake holds real value, and renovation budgets tend to pay back through both appreciation and short-term rental income during the busy June-through-Labor-Day season.
Buyers shopping fixers in Fish Haven generally fall into two camps: families wanting a long-term lake cabin they can update in stages, and investors targeting the strong Bear Lake vacation rental market. Either way, the practical considerations matter — winter access on side roads, well and septic condition, propane heating costs, and contractor availability out of Garden City and Logan all factor into the real cost of a project. Lot size, proximity to the beach, and whether the home sits inside an HOA like Sweetwater also drive both purchase price and renovation potential. Browse the active listings below to see which Fish Haven properties are currently priced for a rehab project.
May 2026 · Fish Haven market
Live from the Utah MLS — what's actually happening in Fish Haven right now.
Median sale
$747,000
2 closed in May 2026
Median DOM
26 days
listing → contract
Sale-to-list
94.5%
of final list price
Unsold inventory
25
active + pending
1 matching · page 1 of 1
Active listings
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Common questions
About fixer upper homes in Fish Haven.
How common are true fixer uppers in Fish Haven? ▾
Fish Haven is a small Bear Lake community of roughly 500 year-round residents, so inventory is thin and dedicated fixer uppers are uncommon. When they do hit the market, they're often older A-frames, 1970s-era cabins, or modular homes on larger lots near the lake. Set up a saved MLS search because these listings move fast once priced right.
What kind of condition issues should I expect in Fish Haven fixers? ▾
Bear Lake's elevation sits around 5,900 feet, so winters are long and harsh. Common issues include frozen or burst pipes, ice-dam roof damage, undersized septic systems, knob-and-tube or outdated aluminum wiring in older cabins, and woodstove installations that no longer meet code. A thorough inspection that includes the septic and well is essential.
Can I get a renovation loan on a Fish Haven fixer upper? ▾
Yes. FHA 203(k) and Fannie Mae HomeStyle loans both work in Rich County, and they roll the purchase price and rehab budget into one mortgage. The catch is that many Fish Haven properties are second homes or cabins, which makes them ineligible for FHA 203(k) — HomeStyle or a local construction loan from a Cache Valley or Logan bank is usually the better fit.
Are short-term rentals allowed after I fix the place up? ▾
Rich County and Fish Haven specifically allow short-term rentals in most areas, which is a big part of why buyers tackle fixers here. Verify the specific parcel with the county before you close, since some HOAs and subdivisions like Sweetwater have their own rental rules. Bear Lake's summer rental rates are strong enough to justify significant renovation budgets.
What does a fixer upper typically cost in Fish Haven? ▾
Entry-level fixers near the lake generally start in the upper $300s to low $400s, with anything offering a lake view or beach access running $500K and up even in rough shape. Lots without homes still trade in the $150K–$250K range, so the math on tear-down versus rehab is worth running on every property.
How hard is it to find contractors willing to work in Fish Haven? ▾
Most trades come from Garden City, Montpelier (Idaho), or Logan, and good ones are booked out months in advance during the summer building season. Plan renovations for the shoulder seasons when possible, and line up your general contractor before you go under contract. Materials delivery adds time too — the nearest big-box stores are in Logan, about 45 minutes away.