Justin and Ashlee captured reality television audiences when Zombie House Flipping premiered on HGTV in 2016. As cousins and business partners, they tackled abandoned, rotting properties in Florida and turned them into profitable modern homes. Fans grew attached to their high-energy dynamic and the chaotic reality of flipping houses that local wildlife had often claimed.
Yet, viewers noticed their disappearance from later iterations of the franchise. While some syndicated articles claim they hosted a spin-off called Flipping El Paso, that project actually starred different hosts, leaving fans confused about Justin's and Ashlee's true post-show trajectory. Here is the actual story behind what happened to the duo and where their real estate careers went after reality television.
The Origins of Zombie House Flipping
The show originally launched as a regional hit in Orlando, Florida, before catching the eye of national networks. Unlike polished renovation shows that focused on pristine suburban properties, Zombie House Flipping leaned into the visceral nature of distressed real estate. Justin and Ashlee walked through houses covered in mold, structural damage, and vandalism.
Their working relationship fueled the show's appeal. Justin brought a hands-on construction background, while Ashlee managed project timelines and design choices. Their cousin dynamic meant disagreements felt genuine rather than scripted for cameras. When the show transitioned to a broader cable distribution model, it pulled strong ratings, making its hosts recognizable figures in the home-flipping genre.
Why Did Justin and Ashlee Leave the Show?
Reality television contracts rarely last forever, and HGTV frequently rotates talent to test new formatting styles or reduce production costs. As the network shifted toward standardized production models, many original regional hosts faced contract renegotiations.
Justin and Ashlee stepped away from the franchise as production shifted focus and brought in new teams for subsequent seasons. Rather than jumping immediately into another network contract, both chose to pivot back to private real estate development. Flipping houses on television requires massive insurance costs, strict scheduling, and significant profit-sharing with production companies. Operating independently often yields higher margins without the stress of network oversight.
What Are Justin and Ashlee Doing Now?
Away from television cameras, both partners remained active in the property market, though they took different paths after the cameras stopped rolling.
- Private Real Estate Investing: They continued acquiring distressed residential properties, focusing on local markets where they could control the entire renovation process from acquisition to resale.
- Business Diversification: Without television production schedules limiting their time, they expanded into long-term rental portfolios and commercial property holdings.
- Low-Profile Operations: Both hosts largely stepped away from public social media spotlight, prioritizing quiet family lives and private business ventures over influencer culture.
Common Misconceptions About Their Exit
Internet rumors often muddy the waters regarding reality TV departures. Several inaccurate narratives surround Justin and Ashlee's exit from the network:
- The El Paso Mix-Up: Online articles frequently confuse them with other regional hosts who filmed spin-offs in Texas. Justin and Ashlee did not move their business operations to El Paso.
- Network Feuds: Tabloid rumors often suggest dramatic firings, but departures in cable television are almost always financial or contractual rather than personal disputes.
- Complete Retirement: Neither host retired from real estate; they simply transitioned from public-facing television personalities back to traditional real estate entrepreneurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Justin and Ashlee still related?
Yes, they are cousins who grew up together and maintained a close family bond long before cameras entered their job sites.
Will they ever return to HGTV?
Neither has announced plans to return to television. Given their current focus on private real estate portfolios, a television comeback remains unlikely.
Where can I watch old episodes?
Previous seasons occasionally stream on platforms like Max or video-on-demand services, depending on current broadcast rights and licensing agreements.
Did they lose money on any houses?
While reality television highlights dramatic profit margins, real-world flipping always carries risk. During their career, they managed unexpected structural issues just like any professional contractor, balancing wins with tight margins on difficult builds.
