5 Surprising Ways Ashley Cordray Built Her $2.5 Million Net Worth (Updated 2024)
Ashley Cordray’s net worth is estimated to be around $2.5 million as of late 2024, a figure that is a testament to her unique vision for historic preservation and her savvy business acumen alongside her husband, Michael Cordray. This impressive valuation is primarily derived from her highly successful real estate and restoration company, Save 1900, and her prominent role as the co-host of the hit Magnolia Network series, Restoring Galveston (formerly known as Bargain Mansions on the DIY Network).
The Cordrays have amassed a combined wealth estimated to be between $3 million and $5 million, establishing them as one of the most influential couples in the home renovation television space today. The following deep dive breaks down the specific income streams and recent ventures, including the launch of a new restaurant, that have cemented Ashley Cordray’s financial success and topical authority in the world of historic Texas real estate.
Ashley Cordray: Complete Biography and Profile
Ashley Cordray is an American television personality, historic preservationist, and entrepreneur best known for restoring dilapidated historic homes in her adopted hometown of Galveston, Texas. Her journey from studying marine biology to becoming a real estate mogul is one of the most unique stories on the Magnolia Network.
- Full Name: Ashley M. Cordray (née Youngblood)
- Date of Birth: February 21, 1987
- Age (as of late 2024): 37
- Place of Birth: Spring, Texas, USA
- Parents: Cindy and Charles Youngblood
- Sister: Angela Falcon
- Husband: Michael Cordray
- Children: Three daughters: Emory, Elle, and Emma (The youngest was welcomed in 2023, making this a very recent update).
- Education: Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), where she pursued a degree in Marine Biology.
- Primary Career: Historic Preservationist, Real Estate Investor, Television Host, Designer.
- Company: Save 1900 (Restoration and Real Estate)
- Television Show: Restoring Galveston (Magnolia Network/HGTV)
1. The Core Engine: Save 1900 Real Estate & Restoration Company
The foundation of Ashley Cordray’s wealth is her real estate and renovation company, Save 1900, which she co-owns with her husband, Michael Cordray. The company's business model is straightforward yet highly profitable: acquire historic homes on Galveston Island that are on the brink of destruction, restore them to their former glory while maintaining architectural integrity, and then sell them for a substantial profit.
The "Restoring Galveston" Business Model
Unlike some renovation shows, the Cordrays' process is a true business venture documented for television. They specialize in homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on the unique character of Galveston’s historic properties. The profit margin for a successful flip—buying a distressed property, investing heavily in restoration, and selling it as a beautifully preserved historic home—can be significant, often far exceeding the income from the television show itself.
The company’s name, Save 1900, is a nod to the year of the Great Galveston Hurricane, a pivotal moment in the island's history, symbolizing their mission to save the island's architectural heritage, which adds a powerful brand narrative to their work. This deep commitment to local history and historic preservation has given their company a strong competitive edge in the Texas real estate market.
2. Magnolia Network & HGTV Earnings from "Restoring Galveston"
Ashley Cordray’s television career provides a massive boost to her net worth through two primary channels: direct salary/fees and the invaluable marketing exposure for Save 1900. The show, which began as Bargain Mansions on the DIY Network, was later rebranded to Restoring Galveston and moved to the Magnolia Network (a joint venture between Discovery Inc. and Chip and Joanna Gaines), significantly increasing its reach.
While specific celebrity salaries are rarely public, industry estimates for reality TV hosts on networks like HGTV and Magnolia Network suggest that stars can earn anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or more per episode. Given that Restoring Galveston has been running since 2019 and returned for its seventh season in November 2024, the accumulated television income is a major component of her overall wealth.
3. Expanding the Empire: The Launch of "Local Dogs" Restaurant
In a clear move to diversify their income streams and capitalize on their local celebrity status, Ashley and Michael Cordray recently announced a new venture: a restaurant called "Local Dogs."
This new business is an exciting and fresh development in the Cordrays' portfolio, expanding their "island empire" beyond historic homes and into the hospitality sector. Local Dogs is described as a hot dog and sno-cone stand housed in a newly restored, historic building, which perfectly aligns with their brand of preserving and promoting Galveston Island. The success of this new culinary venture will add a recurring revenue stream separate from real estate and television, further solidifying their long-term financial stability.
4. Brand Endorsements and Public Speaking Engagements
As a widely recognized personality on the Magnolia Network, Ashley Cordray has leveraged her public profile into various ancillary income sources. These include:
- Brand Partnerships: Collaborations with brands in the home decor, renovation, and lifestyle sectors.
- Public Appearances: Fees for appearances at home and garden shows, design conferences, and real estate seminars.
- Consultation Services: Offering specialized consultation services for historic renovation projects, capitalizing on her expertise that is well-documented on television.
These supplementary income streams, while often less publicized than their main ventures, contribute significantly to her individual net worth and increase her overall marketability as a design expert and preservationist.
5. Strategic Real Estate Holdings and Appreciation
The Cordrays are not just flipping houses; they are strategically investing in Galveston real estate. Their personal home and any long-term rental properties they may hold are appreciating assets. Galveston Island, a desirable location with a unique coastal market, means that their real estate portfolio is likely increasing in value year over year.
Their deep knowledge of the local market, combined with their ability to drastically increase property value through high-quality, historically sensitive restoration, gives them a powerful advantage over typical real estate investors. This strategic holding of valuable assets is a quiet but substantial contributor to their long-term wealth accumulation and net worth.
Ashley Cordray’s Net Worth Summary and Future Outlook
Ashley Cordray’s estimated net worth of $2.5 million is a clear reflection of her successful transition from a marine biology student to a leading figure in historic home renovation and television. The strength of her wealth lies in the diversification of her income, which is anchored by three powerful entities: the reliable profits from her company Save 1900, the steady income and marketing power of the Magnolia Network show Restoring Galveston (now in its seventh season), and the exciting new revenue stream from her expansion into the hospitality sector with Local Dogs.
With the Cordrays' commitment to the unique architecture of Galveston Island and their growing brand influence, their combined net worth of $3 million to $5 million is projected to continue its upward trajectory. As they continue to restore historic properties and expand their business footprint, Ashley Cordray is well-positioned to become an even more powerful force in both the real estate and television industries.
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