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Fixer Upper Homes for Sale in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City has one of the deepest pools of older housing stock on the Wasatch Front, which means renovation projects come up regularly across nearly every zip code. The city's building boom ran from the 1890s through the 1960s, so buyers looking for a project find everything from Victorian cottages in the Avenues and Capitol Hill, to brick Tudors in Sugar House and Yalecrest, to mid-century ramblers in Rose Park, Glendale, and Millcreek. Most of these homes sit on full city lots with mature trees, alley access, and original framing that's worth saving — Utah's dry climate has been kind to wood-frame structures, and foundation issues are less common here than in wetter parts of the country.
What makes a renovation project in Salt Lake City different from one in St. George or Logan is the land value underneath. Even a tired bungalow in 9th & 9th or the Avenues carries strong dirt value because of walkability, TRAX access, and a 20-minute commute to downtown or the University of Utah. That changes the math: buyers here are often paying for location and using the renovation budget to bring the house up to current standards rather than chasing pure equity through repairs. Financing tools like FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle Renovation loans are widely used, and local lenders know the program well. Browse the active listings below to see which projects are currently on the market across the city's older neighborhoods.
May 2026 · Salt Lake City market
Live from the Utah MLS — what's actually happening in Salt Lake City right now.
Median sale
$577,450
270 closed in May 2026
Median DOM
7 days
listing → contract
Sale-to-list
99.3%
of final list price
Unsold inventory
764
active + pending
21 matching · page 1 of 1
Active listings
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Common questions
About fixer upper homes in Salt Lake City.
Where in Salt Lake City do most fixer uppers show up? ▾
Older neighborhoods turn over the most projects: Rose Park, Glendale, Poplar Grove, Fairpark, and parts of South Salt Lake near State Street. You'll also see 1940s–1960s ramblers come up in Millcreek and Holladay that need cosmetic work but sit on bigger lots. The Avenues and Sugar House have older bungalows too, but those usually trade closer to retail price even when they need work.
What does a fixer upper actually cost in Salt Lake City right now? ▾
Entry-level projects in Rose Park, Glendale, and West Valley-adjacent pockets typically run $350K–$450K. Cosmetic fixers in Sugar House, the Avenues, or 9th & 9th can still push $550K–$750K because the land and location carry the price. True teardowns are rare inside city limits — most homes here have enough good bones to renovate rather than scrape.
Can I use an FHA 203(k) or Fannie Mae HomeStyle loan on these listings? ▾
Yes, and both are common tools for Salt Lake City buyers tackling older homes. A 203(k) rolls renovation costs into the mortgage with 3.5% down, while HomeStyle works for conventional buyers and allows luxury upgrades. Just plan for a longer close — 45 to 60 days is normal — and a HUD consultant on standard 203(k) projects.
What should I watch for in older Salt Lake City homes? ▾
Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply lines, clay sewer laterals, and original boiler systems are the big four in pre-1950 stock. Many homes still have the original sewer line to the main, and a scope inspection is worth every penny — replacement runs $5K–$15K depending on length and depth. Also check for unpermitted basement finishes, which are common across the east bench.
Are there permit or historic restrictions I should know about? ▾
Salt Lake City has several local historic districts including the Avenues, Capitol Hill, and parts of Central City where exterior changes require Historic Landmark Commission review. Inside those boundaries, window replacements, additions, and porch work all need approval. Outside historic zones, standard building permits still apply — the city has been stricter about ADU and basement-conversion permitting since 2022.
How competitive is the fixer upper market here? ▾
Less brutal than it was in 2021, but well-priced projects under $450K in walkable neighborhoods still move in under two weeks. Investors and owner-occupants compete for the same inventory, though FHA 203(k) buyers sometimes lose out to cash offers. Homes that need major structural or foundation work tend to sit longer and leave more room to negotiate.