fixer-upper

American  

[fik-ser-uhp-er] / ˈfɪk sərˈʌp ər /

noun

Informal.

1. a person who is handy at making repairs.

2. a rundown dwelling offered at a bargain price and suitable for improvement by a new owner, often with the object of resale at a considerable profit.

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Etymology

Origin of fixer-upper

fix up + -er ¹, pleonastically suffixed to both words

Example Sentences

The couple had just moved from their modest fixer-upper in Altadena’s Janes Village to their dream home in architect Gregory Ain’s Park Planned homes, when the Eaton fire roared to life.

From Los Angeles Times

Other adventures in homeownership ended well — the couple doubled their money after selling a fixer-upper.

From New York Times

But America needs more entrepreneurs like Gulban, willing to take a chance on fixer-upper newspapers that thousands of local communities and millions of voters still rely on to stay informed.

From Seattle Times

Larson, a prosthetic limb designer who has been rotating through Airbnbs since he moved out last spring, said he found renovating the fixer-upper more of a chore than a joy.

From Seattle Times

For example, in real estate listings, “cozy” usually means cramped, and “full of potential” equates to fixer-upper.

From Seattle Times