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Fixer Upper Homes for Sale in Moab, Utah
Moab is a tough town to find a project house in, but they're out there if you know where to look. The original townsite around 100 North and 100 East has a stock of 1940s–1970s block homes on deep lots, the Mountain View neighborhood west of Main holds mid-century ranches that often need roofs and HVAC after decades of 100°F summers, and the Spanish Valley stretch south toward the county line has older manufactured and stick-built homes on acreage. Because Grand County is roughly 70% federal land, buildable lots are scarce, which means even rough homes hold their value — the dirt under a tired 1,200 sq ft rancher in Moab is often worth more than a finished home of the same size in many other Utah towns.
Buyers chasing project homes here usually fall into two camps: locals who work in tourism, healthcare, or the school district and need an entry point under the median, and out-of-area buyers who want a base camp for Arches, Canyonlands, and the Colorado River. Both groups should budget extra for desert-specific repairs — expansive soils, hard water damage to plumbing, sun-baked roofs, and aging swamp coolers that need conversion to refrigerated air. Short-term rental zoning is also tightly restricted inside city limits, so verify use rights before counting on nightly income. Browse the active listings below to see which project homes are currently on the market in and around Moab.
May 2026 · Moab market
Live from the Utah MLS — what's actually happening in Moab right now.
Median sale
$645,000
10 closed in May 2026
Median DOM
55 days
listing → contract
Sale-to-list
96.9%
of final list price
Unsold inventory
138
active + pending
1 matching · page 1 of 1
Active listings
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Common questions
About fixer upper homes in Moab.
What counts as a fixer-upper in the Moab market? ▾
Most local agents use the term for homes built before 1990 that need cosmetic updates, mechanical work (HVAC, roof, plumbing), or both. In Moab you'll also see older manufactured homes on permanent foundations and small block houses in the original townsite that need full interior overhauls. True teardowns are rare because Grand County lot values are high enough that sellers usually price for the dirt.
Why are fixer-uppers in Moab priced higher than I'd expect? ▾
Moab's median sits well above the Utah average because Grand County has very limited buildable land, strict overlay zoning, and steady demand from tourism investors and remote workers. Even a rough 1970s home in Mountain View or the Walnut Lane area can list in the mid-$400s because the lot itself carries most of the value. Don't expect Midwest-style bargain pricing.
Can I buy a Moab fixer-upper and run it as a nightly rental after renovating? ▾
Almost never inside city limits. Moab and Grand County have tight overnight rental zoning — most residential neighborhoods don't allow nightly stays, and existing permits don't always transfer. If short-term rental income is your plan, verify the parcel's overlay zone with Moab City or Grand County planning before you write an offer.
What renovation challenges are specific to Moab homes? ▾
Expansive clay soils crack slabs and foundations, summer heat over 100°F is brutal on roofs and HVAC, and hard water destroys fixtures and water heaters faster than along the Wasatch Front. Older homes near the Colorado River corridor may also need radon testing and updated septic systems if they're outside city sewer.
Are renovation loans like 203(k) or HomeStyle realistic here? ▾
Yes, and they're worth considering given how few move-in-ready homes hit the market under $500K. FHA 203(k) and Fannie Mae HomeStyle both work in Grand County, but you'll need a contractor willing to commit to a fixed scope and timeline — and Moab's contractor pool is small, so line that up early.
How long do fixer-uppers typically sit on the market in Moab? ▾
It varies with the season and price point. Distressed or dated homes under $400K tend to move in a few weeks, often to cash buyers. Anything priced above replacement cost or with serious structural issues can sit 90+ days. Winter months (December through February) usually offer the most negotiating room.