It feels like these new kinds are skipping that phase, but they cant afford to do so... hmmm
I think they are skipping it too. The younger people I know are renting places far nicer than I would have, even when I was in a better position than they were at that age. And when they buy, many aren't getting the "fixerupper" and doing it themselves, they are getting something ready, or paying top dollar for tradies to do even the simple jobs.