The drama of home and garden TV shows may be fun to watch, but no matter what you think, reality shows are not at all like real life. If you think it's easy to buy a house that needs updating and turn it quickly for substantial profit, you might want to think again.  That doesn't necessarily mean, though, that you should shy away from the idea of buying a "fixer-upper" -- just that you should approach such a home purchase with eyes wide open.  Here are some valuable tips: Buying a house that needs cosmetic updates can make financial sense, particularly…

If your financial situation is limited, yet you're handy with a hammer and nails, then purchasing a fixer-upper home can be an attractive option. Fixer-uppers typically require a bevy of updates and repairs to bring the home up to current market conditions. Because of this, the listing price is often considerably less than a move-in ready home.  Your trusted real estate professional can help you find the best projects to buy and sell. Getting Started Fixer-uppers aren't for everyone, but there are plenty of resources available if you plan to do most of the repair and upgrades yourself. Let's take…