In the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota, buying a home with the intent to fix it up is one of the best investments you can make. Whether you intend to make it your primary residence, a second home or a rental- there are many things that with some hard work you can tackle yourself.  Our current Brainerd Lakes real estate market may allow you to get the home of your dreams without breaking the bank.        I will tell you that buying a fixer-upper can be a big challenge as there may be structural defects or other hidden problems.  For those reasons, I always recommend an inspection. This service with a reliable and thorough home inspector is always worth the expense.        If you are planning to make structural changes to the home as in moving or taking out walls- remember that the... 07/15/2010