House-flipping shows have dominated the reality landscape for over 20 years and show no signs of slowing down. HGTV has arguably perfected the home design formula by offering a multitude of house-flipping programs. The idea behind house-flipping shows seems self-explanatory, but it’s really not. Basically, a contractor or a group of contractors is faced with a home that needs to be fixed up, repaired, or renovated. The contractors then design a new look for the house and begin building.
When everything is said and done, the people who own the property usually stay in their newly updated home, but, in some cases, they decide to sell it. Yes, the goal of house-flipping shows is to make a profit. Ideally, the amount the contractors spend should be less than how much the property sells for. But just because house-flipping shows are about making money in real estate doesn’t mean they can’t be entertaining, emotional and even life-changing.
15
Flipping Out (2007–2018)
Jeff Lewis Fixes Up Homes In Los Angeles
Flipping Out is a reality television series focusing on Los Angeles designer Jeff Lewis and his team, including project manager Jenni, housekeeper Zoila, business manager and boyfriend Gage, and assistant. The series showcases the dynamics within Lewis’s professional and personal life as he manages various design projects.
- Release Date
-
July 31, 2007
- Cast
-
Ryan Brown
, Chris Elwood
, Jenni Pulos - Seasons
-
11
Airing on Bravo for 11 seasons, Flipping Out followed designer Jeff Lewis renovating homes in Los Angeles. The show also featured Lewis’ executive assistant Jenni Pulos, his housekeeper Zoila Chavez, and his boyfriend/business manager Gage Edward among other staff members. After the housing market crashed in 2007, Lewis shifted the show’s focus to decorating. But, starting in season 4, Lewis considered flipping small projects.
It’s interesting that Flipping Out focuses more on decorating than house flipping. Although renovations were certainly a part of the show, especially in season 1, Lewis’ design skills are what made Flipping Out interesting to watch. The show ended in 2018, and at the time, Flipping Out was riddled with lawsuits because Lewis’ surrogate claimed that Bravo filmed her giving birth without her permission. However, there is talk of a reboot in the works (via Yahoo!).
14
Rock the Block (2019 – Present)
Four Contestants Flip Homes On The Same Street
HGTV renovation stars race to renovate four identical homes with limited time and budget. The designer who adds the most property value wins bragging rights and has the street named after them.
- Release Date
-
October 21, 2019
- Cast
-
Ty Pennington
Hosted by house-flipping show icon Ty Pennington, Rock the Block is more of a competition show than a show based on flipping homes for the benefit of property owners. Four contestants are given blank slate houses on the same block and tasked with remodeling them in their style. The contestant whose home gets the highest appraisal value on the home they designed wins the competition. Winners get bragging rights and a street named after them.
Winners should be given the home that they put so much work into. But, hey, the contestants are doing what they love, live on television, so that’s worth something.
No, these prizes don’t seem like much. Winners should be given the home that they put so much work into. But, hey, the contestants are doing what they love, live on television, so that’s worth something. Even though each contestant is given the same blank slate to begin with, they each create something unique by the end of the show. Rock the Block highlights the creativity behind home renovations.
13
Holmes on Homes (2003 – 2008)
Mike Holmes Fixes Bad Contract Jobs & Teaches Viewers About Home Ownership
Holmes on Homes is a Canadian television series starring contractor Mike Holmes, who assists homeowners with problematic renovations. Premiering in 2003, the series aired on HGTV in Canada and internationally, gaining popularity for its hour-long format and special episodes addressing renovation challenges and solutions.
- Release Date
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March 22, 2003
- Cast
-
mike holmes
, Damon Bennett - Seasons
-
7
Holmes on Homes has an intriguing angle. The show’s star, contractor Mike Holmes, is dedicated to exposing poor and potentially dangerous renovations left by the last contractors who worked on a home. Holmes is interested in helping homeowners properly repair their homes and firmly believes in getting things right the first time. His knowledge is welcome, as many homeowners on the show (and in real life) have been scammed by contractors, leaving them with miserable living conditions and thousands of dollars in debt.
In every episode, Holmes fixes everything that he can while educating both homeowners and viewers about how to make more informed decisions when selecting a contractor in the future. His cause is both noble and educational because so many people are ill-informed about home renovations. Since the show exposes poor home repairs and offers advice to the audience, it is an essential watch for fans of house-flipping shows and homeowners alike.
12
Hoarder House Flippers (2022 – Present)
Experts Fix Up Hoarder Homes While Shedding Light On The Mental Health Condition
Hoarder House Flippers follows three house-flipping teams as they transform cluttered and neglected properties into attractive homes. Released in 2022, the film highlights the challenges of revitalizing overlooked houses and capitalizing on their hidden potential for substantial financial gain.
- Release Date
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May 19, 2022
- Network
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HGTV Canada
- Seasons
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2
Hoarder House Flippers is exactly what it sounds like. A team of contractors works together to take some of the most decrepit hoarder homes they can find and make them into something beautiful. The show focuses on homes that many contractors would have given up on a long time ago, but the people behind Hoarder House Flippers do their best to shift through the trash and debris and put their talents to use to make something exceptional.
The show is mindful not to make light of the hoarding houses they encounter. The contractors know that hoarding is a serious mental condition.
In a way, the show mirrors how people with hoarding issues can get help for their condition and eventually transform their lives. Hoarder House Flippers also deserves credit for its sensitivity. The show is mindful not to make light of the hoarding houses they encounter. The contractors know that hoarding is a serious mental condition. Although Hoarder House Flippers originally aired on HGTV Canada American viewers can watch it on Prime Video and Hulu.
11
Good Bones (2016 – 2023)
A Mother-Daughter Duo Flips Homes In Indiana
Good Bones is a reality TV series on HGTV that features mother-daughter duo Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk. They rehabilitate properties in their hometown of Indianapolis, transforming dilapidated houses into stylish, functional homes. The show highlights their hands-on approach to renovations, emphasizing design, craftsmanship, and family dynamics as they manage their business, Two Chicks and a Hammer.
- Release Date
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March 22, 2016
- Cast
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Mina Starsiak
, Karen E. Laine - Seasons
-
8
Despite the Good Bones stars being embroiled in a feud, the show is still worth watching. It revolves around mother-daughter duo, Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak, as they renovate houses in their home state of Indiana. The women first caught the attention of HGTV after forming their home improvement company, Two Chicks and a Hammer. Since then, Good Bones has taken off, with other members of Laine and Starsiak’s family helping flip houses for profit in the Indianapolis area.
Good Bones was unique as it focused on a mother-daughter contracting team, which is seldom seen in house-flipping shows. Despite Laine and Starsiak having a tumultuous relationship off-screen, their on-screen relationship could be touching. Good Bones ran for eight seasons, ending in 2023. The show spawned a spin-off, Good Bones: New Beginnings, which notably followed Laine and Starsiak undertaking separate renovation ventures.
10
Bargain Block! (2021 – Present)
A Couple & Their Realtor Restore Homes In Detroit
Keith and Evan seek out abandoned or ailing properties and use their expertise in home renovation to turn them into beautiful, affordable homes for first-time homeowners.
- Release Date
-
April 14, 2021
- Cast
-
Keith Bynum
, Evan Thomas
Bargain Block! first came on the HGTV scene in 2021. The show centers around partners Keith Bynum, Evan Thomas, and their realtor Shea Hicks-Whitfield as they restore historic properties around Detroit. Bynum crafts designs for homes and Thomas is a carpenter and builder. Bynum and Thomas are not only business partners but partners in life. They’ve been together for over 10 years. It’s rare to see a house-flipping show revolve around an LGBTQ+ couple, as the reality TV subgenre is sadly not very diverse.
Related
Bargain Block: Hosts Appreciated for Being Hands-On During Renovations
HGTV’s newest renovation show has already caught the audience’s attention for a few reasons, particularly the willingness of the hosts to do the work.
Most fixer-upper shows center on a husband-and-wife team or a group of contractors, but Bargain Block! bucks the trend. The show also highlights Detroit and depicts some of the most scenic aspects of the city, which is often seen as a run-down city. Through the work of Bynum, Thomas and Hick-Whitfield, they are able to bring some additional beauty to the city.
9
Flip or Flop (2013 – 2022)
A Married Couple Gambles On Homes For Sale
Flip or Flop is a reality television series about flipping homes that starred formerly married couple Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall. It aired for ten seasons on HGTV from 2013-2022. Tarek and Christina worked together to buy, renovate, and resell homes on the popular series.
Flip or Flop was a success for HGTV, as it was on the air for nearly 10 years. A property flipping team and formerly married couple, Tarek and Christina, buy battered homes for cash and renovate them for a profit. Sometimes, Tarek and Christina don’t even see the property before they buy, which ensures that each episode is full of surprises. The hosts often buy homes from auctions, hoping their renovations will be enough to flip the home.
The stakes are high as sometimes Tarek and Christina’s best efforts fail and they lose the money they put into the home. By adding the potential of losing money on a renovation, Flip or Flop does a great job of adding tension to a genre that is often formulaic. But, often, the team does excellent work, as properties are often unrecognizable by the end of an episode.
8
Unsellable Houses (2019 – Present)
Twin Sisters Help Homeowners With Renovations
Twins take on homes in this HGTV show. Unsellable Houses follows twin sisters and real estate consultants Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb search for homes that need some love. After looking at comparable homes nearby, the real estate duo convinces timid homeowners to renovate their properties. Homeowners can then decide if they want to keep their remodeled homes or sell them. Unsellable Houses is based in Davis and Lamb’s home region of the Pacific Northwest, United States.
The twins gave back to the Children’s Hospital of Seattle because the hospital helped Lamb’s son when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. However, Lamb and Davis’ charitable work is just one aspect of Unsellable Houses to admire. The show does a great job at giving insight into the real estate aspect of home-flipping, which is an essential part of the business.
7
50/50 Flip (2022 – Present)
A Husband-Wife Duo Renovations Homes On A Budget Of $50K
50/50 Flip follows Krystal and Dedric Polite as they utilize their 50/50 flip strategy to renovate homes. Released in 2022, this film depicts their objective to complete a renovation with a budget of less than $50,000 in under 50 days, aiming for maximum profitability.
- Release Date
-
January 29, 2022
- Cast
-
Dedric Polite
, Krystal Polite - Seasons
-
2
A&E’s 50/50 Flip has yet to flop. The show began in 2022 and already has two seasons under its belt, with a third on the way. Husband and wife duo Krystal and Dedric Polite abide by the 50/50 principle in order to maximize their time and potential profits. The couple only spends $50,000 on each home and 50 days to complete the proper renovations. 50/50 Flip also focuses on Krystal’s hometown of Burlington, North Carolina.
Above all, the Polites believe in creating affordable housing by only pouring in a relatively small amount into home renovations. The couple is also interested in giving back to their community. 50/50 Flip has an interesting hook by setting limits on the renovations, which shows viewers they don’t have to sink a fortune into their homes to remodel. Both folks in Burlington and at home can bring their vision to life without breaking the bank.
6
Home Town (2016 – Present)
AlthoughHome Towncombines many elements viewers have seen in HGTV shows before, it still feels fresh and authentic.Home Townfollows a husband-and-wife team, Ben and Erin Napier, as they renovate properties in their rural hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. Every moment the couple is on-screen, it’s clear that they are interested in giving back to a community that has long been forgotten. The Napiers are interested in re-inventing Laurel bydrenching each property in Southern charm.
Again, Home Town focuses on many common tropes that viewers have seen in the house-flipping genre before. But unlike many of the other shows listed, Home Town focuses on the relationships between the Napiers and their community. Their interactions are heartfelt and the couple speaks to every homeowner with respect. Maybe Home Town is not the most original show, but it has heart and that counts for a lot. In 2021, Home Town lauched two spinoffs — Home Town: Ben’s Workshop and Home Town Takeover.
5
Fixer to Fabulous (2019 – Present)
A Couple Fixes Up Old Homes
Fixer to Fabulous is an HGTV television series that began airing in 2019. The show features Dave and Jenny Marrs as they renovate historic homes in their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. With a focus on modern amenities and preserving the original character, the Marrs couple transforms outdated properties into beautifully restored family homes. The series highlights their expertise in design, construction, and real estate.
- Release Date
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October 22, 2019
- Cast
-
Dave Marrs
, Jenny Marrs - Seasons
-
5
Fixer to Fabulous follows couple Dave and Jenny Marrs as they fix up classic homes around Bentonville, Arkansas. The couple focuses on older homes that need a lot of updates to be considered safe. In some cases, the properties turn into forever homes, much to the delight of homeowners. Fixer to Fabulous spawned a spin-off that sees the Marrs going to Italy and using their skills to renovate historical homes. The Marrs’ interest in bringing historical homes up to code is different, as most shows focus on more recently built properties.
However, the show is not without its legal issues, as the Fixer to Fabulous stars are currently entangled in a lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that the couple, and the companies they own, failed to upgrade properties, which led to unsafe living conditions. After multiple delays, including a tornado that damaged parts of Arkansas, the Marrs are due back in court on January 27th, 2025.
4
Fixer Upper (2013 – 2018)
A Couple Fixes Up Homes In Waco, Texas That Need A Lot Of TLC
Fixer Upper is a reality television series starring Chip and Joanna Gaines, who transform homes in need of repair into beautiful living spaces. The show follows the couple’s renovation projects in Waco, Texas, highlighting their design ideas and construction prowess while helping clients turn their fixer-upper properties into dream homes.
- Release Date
-
December 1, 2015
- Cast
-
Chip Gaines
, Joanna Gaines - Seasons
-
5
Fixer Upper introduced the world to Chip and Joanna Gaines, who made a huge impact despite their show only airing for five seasons — a relatively short time for house-flipping shows. The series centers around the Gaineses renovating decrepit homes around Waco Texas. The couple worked through their remodeling and design company, Magnolia Homes, which soon became a successful homewares brand.
But, aside from merchandising and international recognition, Fixer Upper had substance. Often, the show focused on making the Gaines’ home community of Waco, Texas a better place. The town is often associated with the Waco Siege that happened in 1993, but the team behind Fixer Upper was determined to make viewers see the charm and beauty present in the city.
3
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2003-2012, 2020, 2025-Present)
Ty Pennington Renovates The Dream Homes Of Families In Need
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a reality television series where deserving families are surprised with a completely renovated or newly built home within a week. Hosted by Ty Pennington, the show features a team of designers and volunteers transforming dilapidated or inadequate living spaces into dream homes, providing life-changing improvements for families facing various hardships.
- Release Date
-
December 3, 2003
- Cast
-
Ty Pennington
, Paul DiMeo
, Michael Moloney
, Tracy Hutson
, Paige Hemmis
, Ed Sanders
, Preston Sharp
, Eric Ancker
Perhaps the most emotional house-flipping show of all, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is iconic. The series originally followed Ty Pennington and a group of contractors, designers and more as they fixed up houses for people in need. Ty and his team would build dream homes for families experiencing hardships, particularly military families. The Extreme Makeover team would renovate the often run-down homes while the families enjoyed a free trip to DisneyWorld.
The family would come back and find that the team had made their dream home into a reality. Each episode was filled with emotional moments that brought countless viewers to tears because it showed the dramatic impact a good home can bring on people’s lives. So many people cried along to this show in the 2000s, and now, with a new reboot streaming, a whole new generation will be crying tears of joy. Move that bus!
2
Love It Or List It (2008 – Present)
A Realtor & A Designer Try To Woo Couples To Either Sell Or Remain In Their Home
Love It or List It is a home renovation television series where homeowners face the decision to keep their newly renovated house, redesigned by interior designer Hilary Farr, or sell it and move to a new one found by real estate agent David Visentin.
- Release Date
-
September 8, 2008
- Cast
-
Hilary Farr
, David Visentin
Arguably, Love It or List It invented the house-flipping formula. The show started in 2008 and has 19 seasons under its belt. Love It or List It follows realtor David Visentin and designer Hilary Farr as they compete for homeowners to either keep their renovated home or buy a new one. Visentin would take the homeowners on house tours trying to guide them to their next home. Meanwhile, Farr was busy remodeling the homeowner’s existing home. In the end, the homeowners decided to either keep their newly renovated home or sell it.
Each episode was filled with tension. Farr worked tirelessly at remodeling while Visentin searched for the perfect home, with the homeowners making the final decision. Love It or List It is unique because it adds the house hunting element. Viewers could enjoy looking at houses on the market in real time, which is more interactive than simply surfing Zillow. Love It or List It perfectly combined house hunting with home renovations to create a show that’s one-of-a-kind.
1
Property Brothers (2011 – Present)
Twin Brothers Use Innovative Technology To Flip Houses
Starring identical twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, Property Brothers is the original show in the Property Brothers franchise. The series has aired since 2011, and is seen in over 150 countries, including on HGTV in the United States. Its premise is to help families to move into their dream homes. On Property Brothers, real estate expert Drew guides families as they purchase a fixer-upper house. Licensed contractor Jonathan and his team then renovate the home on a strict timeline and budget. The final reveal is a surprise to the family.
The Property Brothers might be the best-known names in real estate. The show follows the titular Canadian twins, Jonathan and Drew Scott as they help homeowners renovate their properties into something truly unique. Both brothers demonstrate expertise in home design and contracting. They also work closely with each homeowner to craft their dream home.
No, Property Brothers isn’t deep or that unique compared to other house-flipping shows, but that doesn’t matter. Property Brothers takes the idea of flipping houses and turns it (or flips it) on its head. The brothers use cutting-edge technology like computer-generated images to show homeowners what their vision looks like before any nails are drilled into wood. They are also careful to adhere to a time limit and try their hardest not to go over budget. It’s clear that the Property Brothers not only care about making homeowners happy but also about innovation in the world of home remodeling.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
