You Can Paint the Walls, But You Can’t Paint the Neighborhood

October 23, 2025

The Hardest Lesson I Ever Learned About Buying a Fixer Upper

Ever fallen in love with a house that had “so much potential” — only to realize later that no amount of paint can fix the neighborhood? Been there. I’m sharing my almost-biggest real estate mistake: the fixer upper that had charm, character, and every red flag imaginable. From foundation problems to a not-so-great zip code, here’s how I learned (the hard way) that location is the one thing you can’t DIY your way out of.

The Delusional Dreamer Moment

I should’ve known the minute I saw the toilets on the neighbor’s porch.

But there I was — a mental health nurse with a hammer, a dream, and a full-blown case of DIY delusion.
I’d walked into what would become my biggest real estate lesson to date, absolutely convinced I could fix everything.

The problem?
I couldn’t fix the one thing that mattered most: the neighborhood.

The House That Had No Business Being Loved

Let me paint the picture — or rather, strip it, gut it, and rebuild it.

This house needed everything.

The roof was shot.
The foundation looked like it belonged in a funhouse.
The kitchen was a nightmare.
There was no HVAC.
Every wall was paneled.
The bathroom looked like it came straight out of Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The floors were uneven.
There wasn’t a single flower, bush, or blade of manicured grass on the property.

It was a total wreck.

And me? I was in love.

I could see it all — fresh paint, new countertops, a dreamy “after” photo that would make Pinterest jealous.
I walked through each room, talking about “good bones” and “so much potential.”
Spoiler alert: the bones were bad.

The Neighborhood Reality Check

Now let’s talk about where this beauty sat — smack in the middle of what locals would politely call a “transitioning area.”

I live in South Arkansas, where meth is, unfortunately, the drug of choice for many struggling communities.
This neighborhood had seen things.

There were abandoned houses and empty lots with grass up to your knees.
One neighbor had two toilets displayed proudly on their front porch like it was yard art.
Another had enough junk in their front yard to open a small thrift store.

And yet — they were nice people.
They waved. They looked out for each other. They were friendly.

So in my optimistic, slightly delusional way, I told myself,

“It’s fine. I’ll buy up the empty lots and make it beautiful again.”

Looking back now, I say this with love: I should’ve been the one getting evaluated.

I Went All In Anyway

Despite every red flag, I bought it.

And then I got to work.

New roof.
Foundation repair.
Added a bathroom.
Gutted and rebuilt the kitchen with new cabinets and countertops.
Replaced all the flooring.
Painted every wall and ceiling.
Replaced the paneling.
Completely remodeled the existing bathroom (goodbye, horror movie vibes).

I poured my heart — and my savings — into that house.

And for a while, it was beautiful.

But when it came time to sell, I learned something no one tells you when you’re deep in paint samples and Pinterest boards:
not every buyer can see what you see.

The Hard Truth: You Can’t Fix Location

Here’s the thing about fixer uppers:
You can fix almost anything — except where it sits.

You can make the walls pretty, but you can’t make the neighborhood safe.
You can modernize the kitchen, but you can’t change the view next door.
You can stage it to perfection, but you can’t stop the cops from driving by twice a week.

That house almost trapped me.
Because while I could see the potential, most buyers only saw the problems.
The neighborhood.
The noise.
The overgrown lots.

It didn’t matter how nice the house was inside — location was louder than design.

What I Learned (The Hard Way)

If you take nothing else from this story, take this:
You can repaint a house, but you can’t repaint a neighborhood.

When people say location is everything, they’re not being dramatic — they’re being realistic.

Here’s what you can’t change, no matter how creative or determined you are:

Neighborhood safety and upkeep
Nearby property values
Commute and distance from work
School districts and zoning
Noise, traffic, and overall feel of the area
How potential buyers will perceive it later

And here’s what you can change (with time, money, and paint):

Dated interiors
Flooring, lighting, and paint
Landscaping and curb appeal
Layout tweaks or minor remodels

But the truth is — if you have to convince yourself it’s fine, it probably isn’t.

The “If I Bought This House” Mindset Shift

After that experience, I changed how I look at homes completely.
Now, I don’t just see what could be — I ask what will still matter after the dust settles.

Here’s my personal Location Reality Checklist:
☑️ Visit the house during the day and at night
☑️ Drive the route to work or school
☑️ Look up nearby home sales and property values
☑️ Pay attention to what’s happening on surrounding lots
☑️ Listen — traffic, trains, dogs, neighborhood activity
☑️ Check local crime data and zoning
☑️ Ask yourself: “Would I love this house if it were anywhere else?”

If the answer is yes, walk away.
That means you’re in love with the house — not the life that comes with it.

What I’d Do Differently

If I could go back, I’d slow down.
I’d stop romanticizing potential long enough to pay attention to reality.

Because living in a home isn’t about the content you can create from it — it’s about how it supports your actual life.
Your commute. Your safety. Your peace.

Now, when I walk through fixer uppers, I still dream — but I do it with my eyes wide open.
Because design can make a home beautiful, but location makes it livable.

Final Thoughts

That house almost became my forever mistake.
But it also became my greatest teacher.

It reminded me that pretty doesn’t always mean smart — and that vision needs boundaries.
Because sometimes, the best design decision you can make is the one where you walk away.

I still believe in potential — it’s what If I Bought This House is all about.
But now, I know potential has to come with perspective.

Watch the Full Story

Want to see the house that almost trapped me?
Watch my YouTube video:
🎥 If I Bought This House | Episode 5 | How to Buy a Fixer Upper

Subscribe to my channel and head over to the community tab where you can see this gem for yourself- lol!

Related Freebie

Before you fall in love with your own “fixer upper,” grab my free printable:
📝 The Fixer Upper Buyer’s Checklist — it’s everything I wish I’d known before I said yes.

Check out our store: Spine and Space

Next Read: If I Bought This House: The $500 Bathroom Glow-Up Plan (No Demo, No Drama); If I Bought This House: The Fixer Upper Buyer's Guide

Keep Dreaming and Designing- See you in the next listing!

Shannon and Shelbee

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