Is the fixer-upper dream dead? In this deep dive, we expose why house flipping in 2026 is hitting a 17-year ROI low and why popular DIY home renovations like kitchen and bath remodels are actually losing investors money. We break down the psychological "HGTV effect" (the market-reflected gaze), how rising material tariffs are crushing construction budgets, and why Millennials and Gen Z are driving a massive 7.3% premium for move-in ready real estate. Stop losing money on sweat equity and learn the shocking truth about the highest ROI home improvements (hint: it's your garage door). If you're a real estate investor, a first-time homebuyer, or just addicted to Zillow, this episode is a reality check on the current housing market.

Timestamps:

00:00 The Fixer-Upper Dream is Dead in 2026

01:22 The "HGTV Effect" and Market-Reflected Gaze

03:15 Crashing Profit Margins and 17-Year ROI Lows

05:40 The Garage Door ROI Secret vs. Kitchen Remodels

08:15 Material Tariffs and the Rising Cost of Renovations

10:30 Why Millennials and Gen Z Reject DIY Flips

12:45 The DIY Nightmare: Contractor Delays and Holding Costs

15:20 The Move-In Ready Premium and Real Estate Trends

17:55 Sweat Equity vs. Financial Reality for Buyers

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