The Housing Boom Hiding in Plain Sight and the 238% Dividend Grower to Play It

The article argues that a housing renovation boom is underway driven by aging homes (average 44 years old), high mortgage rates keeping homeowners in place, and accumulated home equity. Home Depot is positioned as the primary beneficiary, with strong free cash flow ($14B annually), a 238% dividend increase over the past decade, and AI-powered tools improving contractor efficiency. The stock has declined 25% from its 2024 high despite these fundamentals, offering an attractive entry point with a near-3% dividend yield.