Do you have the muscle, mental fortitude and money to tackle a major renovation? These six Sonoma County fixer-uppers are a great value but they may require some elbow grease to turn into your dream home.

Home renovation shows make the process look easy, but before you purchase a fixer-upper you may want to consider the following:

Location – Is the home in a good neighborhood, close to work, good schools and supermarkets? A simple rule offered by TLC’s renovation guru’s Chip and Joanna Gaines  is to look for “worst house in the best location,” to ensure that a remodel is worth the investment.

In Sonoma County, also consider natural disasters. Is the home near a flood plane, fault line or fire zone.

Layout- Do you have enough bathrooms to accommodate the whole family? Is the home small and cramped or does it have an open floor plan? Can you knock down walls? Does the home work on a functional level?

Good bones – What is the home’s condition? Are we dealing with easy fixes like paint, carpet and tile or more expensive updates like roofing, HVAC systems, foundations or electrical?

How much will it cost? Have a home inspector (or two) evaluate all of the home’s potential issues. Hire a contractor to estimate the entire cost of the renovation, then add 10 to 12 percent for unexpected issues. Think about how you will finance it all? Can you take out a home-improvement loan to cover the updates?

Know when to call in the big guns – Will this project require a contractor or can you tackle the renovation on your own? Know your limitations and when it is time to call in a professional.

Click through our gallery above to check out some of the fixer-uppers currently on the market in Sonoma County.