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Fixer Upper Homes for Sale in Kearns, Utah
Kearns sits in the southwest corner of Salt Lake Valley, roughly 12 miles from downtown Salt Lake City and about 15 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport — a location that makes it one of the more practical choices for buyers who work along the Wasatch Front. Home prices here have historically tracked below the county median, and fixer uppers push that entry point even lower, often landing in the $280,000–$370,000 range depending on size and condition. The housing stock is largely mid-century ranch homes built between the late 1940s and 1970s, originally constructed as military housing for Kearns Army Air Base. That era of construction means buyers typically find solid bones — generous lot sizes, hardwood floors under carpet, and simple floor plans that are straightforward to renovate — alongside the expected deferred maintenance: older roofs, original single-pane windows, dated kitchens, and aging HVAC systems.
For buyers willing to put in the work, Kearns offers a rare combination in today's Salt Lake Valley market: affordable acquisition costs, established neighborhoods with mature trees, and proximity to major employers in West Valley City, Murray, and downtown SLC. The area is served by the Granite School District, and the Kearns Recreation Center — one of the few Olympic-speed skating ovals in the country — sits right in the community. Sweat equity goes further here than in pricier zip codes like Holladay or Millcreek, where fixer uppers rarely surface under $500K. If you're budgeting for a renovation project and want a Salt Lake Valley address without the Salt Lake City price tag, Kearns is worth a close look. Browse the active listings below to see what's currently on the market.
June 2026 · Kearns market
Live from the Utah MLS — what's actually happening in Kearns right now.
Median sale
$435,000
9 closed in June 2026
Median DOM
54 days
listing → contract
Sale-to-list
100.4%
of final list price
Unsold inventory
33
active + pending
2 matching · page 1 of 1
Active listings
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Common questions
About fixer upper homes in Kearns.
What kind of fixer uppers typically come up in Kearns? ▾
Most are mid-century ramblers and split-entries built between the 1950s and 1970s, often on 0.15 to 0.25 acre lots. Common projects include kitchen and bath updates, original single-pane windows, aging furnaces, and basement finishes. A smaller share are full gut jobs from estate sales or long-term rentals that need everything down to the subfloor.
Are Kearns fixer uppers a good value compared to the rest of the Salt Lake Valley? ▾
Yes — Kearns has historically been one of the more affordable pockets in Salt Lake County, often running 15-25% below comparable square footage in Murray or West Jordan. That gap is what makes the cosmetic-rehab math work here. Even after a $40-80K renovation, totals usually stay under the county median.
What financing options work for a home that needs serious work? ▾
FHA 203(k) and Fannie Mae HomeStyle loans are the two most common routes — both roll purchase and renovation costs into one mortgage. Hard money or cash-then-refi also shows up with investors competing for the rougher properties. Conventional loans can be tricky if the home has active leaks, missing flooring, or a non-functioning kitchen.
Does Kearns have an HOA or design rules I need to worry about during a remodel? ▾
The vast majority of Kearns neighborhoods are unincorporated Salt Lake County with no HOA, which gives owners a lot of latitude on exterior changes, ADUs, and detached shops. You'll still pull permits through Salt Lake County, and setback rules apply. Always verify zoning before planning an addition or accessory dwelling.
What should I check during inspection on an older Kearns home? ▾
Galvanized or polybutylene plumbing, original electrical panels (Federal Pacific and Zinsco show up here), buried oil tanks on pre-1970 builds, and aluminum wiring on some 1960s homes. Also check for foundation cracks from the area's clay soils and confirm the sewer line with a scope — many laterals are original clay or Orangeburg.
How fast do fixer uppers move in Kearns right now? ▾
Livable cosmetic projects under $400K still see multiple offers within a week, especially from owner-occupants using 203(k) financing. Heavier rehabs — vacant, no kitchen, roof issues — sit longer and tend to sell to local flippers and landlords at a discount. Pricing realism matters more here than in trendier ZIPs.