Tarek El Moussa is looking back at the support that helped shape his career, crediting his mother for standing by him before he became an HGTV personality and real estate investor.
In an Instagram post published Thursday, October 29, El Moussa described his mother as his “Forever #1” and said she had believed in him from the beginning.
He said he once lived in his mother’s garage at age 20 and contrasted that period with his current position in the real estate business.
El Moussa also said he had sold more than $1 billion in real estate by age 44, presenting the figure as part of a broader reflection on his professional journey.
Table of Contents
Tarek El Moussa revisits his early struggles
The post focused less on a new television project or property transaction than on the personal history behind El Moussa’s public career.
His account describes a difficult starting point in which he was living in a garage while trying to establish himself in real estate.
The garage story is not new to El Moussa’s public biography.
He has previously discussed living in his mother’s garage after losing financial stability and later using coaching and sales work to build momentum in the industry.
That period became part of the success narrative associated with his television career, which centres on buying, renovating and selling properties.
From house flipping to HGTV
Tarek El Moussa first became widely known as a co-host of Flip or Flop, the HGTV renovation series he presented with his former wife, Christina Haack.
He later developed solo television projects, including Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa, in which he advises people attempting to complete renovation and resale projects.
He also appears with his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, on The Flipping El Moussas.
HGTV has announced that El Moussa, Heather Rae El Moussa and Christina Haack are expected to return for a second season of The Flip Off in 2026.
The programme brings the former spouses together in a renovation competition format, with Heather Rae El Moussa also participating.
Why his mother remains central to the story
El Moussa’s latest message framed his mother’s role as emotional and practical support during the earliest stage of his career.
He wrote that she had been “in my corner since day one” and acknowledged that she could not have known exactly where his career would lead.
The message also linked his professional progress to the people who supported him before the television exposure, property deals and public profile.
For viewers familiar with El Moussa through HGTV, the post offers additional context for the personal story behind his on-screen focus on risk, renovation and financial recovery.
What comes next for El Moussa
El Moussa remains active across television, property investment and real estate education.
His official website describes a portfolio that includes property flipping, home sales, rental holdings and real estate-related businesses.
HGTV’s 2026 programming plans also point to continued screen appearances, although the network’s announcement does not provide a specific premiere date for the new season of The Flip Off.
For now, his latest public update is a personal one: a thank-you to the family member he says supported him before the success became visible to audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tarek El Moussa?
Tarek El Moussa is an American real estate investor and television personality known for HGTV renovation and house-flipping programmes.
What did Tarek El Moussa say about his mother?
He said his mother supported him from the beginning and remained in his corner while he was building his career.
Did Tarek El Moussa live in his mother’s garage?
Yes. El Moussa has previously spoken publicly about living in his mother’s garage during an early financially difficult period.
What television shows is Tarek El Moussa associated with?
He is associated with Flip or Flop, Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa, The Flipping El Moussas and The Flip Off.
Is The Flip Off returning?
HGTV has announced a second season featuring Tarek El Moussa, Heather Rae El Moussa and Christina Haack, but a specific premiere date was not listed in the available announcement.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against El Moussa’s official website, HGTV’s programming information and his October 29, 2026 social-media statement. ([imginn.com](https://imginn.com/p/DfFmej6J3Yc/?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: El Moussa’s reported sales figure is presented as his own public claim and was not independently audited in the available official materials.