BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast From $20K/Year Salary to $20K+/Month Passive Income w/Ashley Hamilton
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Sep 22, 2025 Ashley Hamilton, a Detroit-based real estate investor and single mother, transformed her life from a $20K/year waitress to earning $50K/month. She boldly purchased a home during the market crash with a $6,000 tax refund, proving that investing is possible even with minimal income. Ashley shares her strategies for a 45-property portfolio, focusing on high cash-flow methods like Airbnb and Section 8, and emphasizes quality over quantity in real estate. She discusses achieving financial freedom and future plans, including mixed-use developments and funding her children’s education.
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First Property Bought With Tax Refund
- Ashley bought her first Detroit house in 2009 for $6,300 using a $6,000 tax refund.
- That property later produced $7,000 per year in cash flow and is worth ~$130,000 today.
Reinvest Income During Early Years
- Reinvest nearly all rental profits for the first few years to accelerate growth.
- Use tax refunds and disciplined monthly savings to buy additional properties annually.
Leverage Raises Doors, Lowers Immediate Cashflow
- Leveraging increases door count and net worth but often reduces short-term cash flow versus free-and-clear properties.
- Both strategies can coexist depending on your growth versus income priorities.