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Section 8 in Detroit: Where to Buy and How to Earn $50K Cash Flow / Month ft. Ashley Hamilton
On the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments hosted by Kent Fai He, we sit down with Detroit investor and property manager Ashley Hamilton to map out where the real opportunities are in Detroit, how she screens Section 8 tenants, and her simple strategy for adding legal bedrooms to unlock higher rents and stronger demand. Ashley shares specific Detroit zip codes, real renovation costs, inspection realities, and a repeatable playbook you can apply immediately.
What this episode is about
• The Detroit submarkets and zip codes where rentals move fast, including Section 8 demand pockets and Airbnb-friendly areas.
• How Ashley turns 3-bed homes into 4-beds for about $13,000 by adding a legal bedroom with egress, and why that can add $300 per month in rent plus an appraisal boost.
• A practical Section 8 screening system that balances dignity with accountability, including a clever way to verify “real” landlord references and why she prefers tenants with some rent portion paid.
Why it matters for affordable housing investors and developers
Detroit can offer both cash flow and appreciation if you buy in the right pockets and manage with intention. Ashley shows how to underwrite with realistic rent assumptions, choose neighborhoods that families actually want to live in, and use small, legal upgrades to open the door to a larger pool of voucher holders who are waiting for 4-bed homes.
Direct quotes from Ashley:
“My top zip code for rentals, especially Section 8, is 48235. I never have turnovers, I usually have a tenant lined up before move-out.”
“On the west side I like 48228, on the east side 48224 and 48205. Don’t ignore other good pockets, do your street-view due diligence.”
“Converting a three-bed to a four-bed has cost me about $13,000. The biggest line item is the egress window at roughly $4,000 locally, often $5–7k elsewhere.”
“That one change raised rent by $200–$300 a month and gave me an appraisal bump since the basement is now finished space.”
“The tenant pool is huge. There are thousands of voucher holders who qualify for four bedrooms but cannot find them.”
“I include landscaping in rent to get eyes on the property every two weeks. It helps spot red flags like unauthorized pets or extra cars.”
Common questions this episode answers
• Which Detroit zip codes have the strongest Section 8 demand and lowest vacancy?
• What are the requirements for a legal bedroom in Michigan basements, and how do housing authorities count it for vouchers?
• How much does it really cost to add an egress window, convert a room, and finish a basement for rent-ready use?
• How can landscaping and regular check-ins reduce unauthorized occupants and protect your asset between annual inspections?
• Where do traveling nurses and contractors stay for Airbnb in Detroit, and which neighborhoods support that demand?
Follow Ashley Hamilton on Instagram: @detroit_investor
Please DM any questions or content suggestions to Kent Fai He, affordable housing developer, educator, and host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments in the United States.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
00:00 Podcast Trailer
03:08 Intro (Getting to Know Ashley: Her Background and Story)
15:22 From 3 to 4 Bed: The $13K Upgrade That Boosted Rents, Appraisals, Demand!
25:31 How Do You Verify a Tenant’s Income the Right Way?
26:15 How Do You Stop Tenants from Sneaking in Pets or Extra People? (Landscaping?!)
35:14 What Are The Best Detroit Neighborhoods for Section 8 Rentals!
41:53 Where Do the Best Real Estate Investors Find Contractors?
56:21 The Airbnb Strategy That Doubles as a Business Loan Hack
01:03:22 What are the BEST Zip Codes for Detroit Airbnbs 🚀
01:10:21 Why Is Affordable housing (i.e. lack of supply) Hard to Solve?
01:13:38 Where/How to contact Ashley?
#RealEstate #AffordableHousing #AshleyHamilton #KentFaiHe #DetroitRealEstate #Section8 #VoucherHousing #48235 #48228 #48224 #48205 #48221 #AirbnbDetroit #BasementBedroom #EgressWindow #RentIncrease #Appraisal #TenantScreening #LandlordTips
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By Kent Fai He @kentfaiheOn the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments hosted by Kent Fai He, we sit down with Detroit investor and property manager Ashley Hamilton to map out where the real opportunities are in Detroit, how she screens Section 8 tenants, and her simple strategy for adding legal bedrooms to unlock higher rents and stronger demand. Ashley shares specific Detroit zip codes, real renovation costs, inspection realities, and a repeatable playbook you can apply immediately.
What this episode is about
• The Detroit submarkets and zip codes where rentals move fast, including Section 8 demand pockets and Airbnb-friendly areas.
• How Ashley turns 3-bed homes into 4-beds for about $13,000 by adding a legal bedroom with egress, and why that can add $300 per month in rent plus an appraisal boost.
• A practical Section 8 screening system that balances dignity with accountability, including a clever way to verify “real” landlord references and why she prefers tenants with some rent portion paid.
Why it matters for affordable housing investors and developers
Detroit can offer both cash flow and appreciation if you buy in the right pockets and manage with intention. Ashley shows how to underwrite with realistic rent assumptions, choose neighborhoods that families actually want to live in, and use small, legal upgrades to open the door to a larger pool of voucher holders who are waiting for 4-bed homes.
Direct quotes from Ashley:
“My top zip code for rentals, especially Section 8, is 48235. I never have turnovers, I usually have a tenant lined up before move-out.”
“On the west side I like 48228, on the east side 48224 and 48205. Don’t ignore other good pockets, do your street-view due diligence.”
“Converting a three-bed to a four-bed has cost me about $13,000. The biggest line item is the egress window at roughly $4,000 locally, often $5–7k elsewhere.”
“That one change raised rent by $200–$300 a month and gave me an appraisal bump since the basement is now finished space.”
“The tenant pool is huge. There are thousands of voucher holders who qualify for four bedrooms but cannot find them.”
“I include landscaping in rent to get eyes on the property every two weeks. It helps spot red flags like unauthorized pets or extra cars.”
Common questions this episode answers
• Which Detroit zip codes have the strongest Section 8 demand and lowest vacancy?
• What are the requirements for a legal bedroom in Michigan basements, and how do housing authorities count it for vouchers?
• How much does it really cost to add an egress window, convert a room, and finish a basement for rent-ready use?
• How can landscaping and regular check-ins reduce unauthorized occupants and protect your asset between annual inspections?
• Where do traveling nurses and contractors stay for Airbnb in Detroit, and which neighborhoods support that demand?
Follow Ashley Hamilton on Instagram: @detroit_investor
Please DM any questions or content suggestions to Kent Fai He, affordable housing developer, educator, and host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, the best podcast for affordable housing investments in the United States.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
00:00 Podcast Trailer
03:08 Intro (Getting to Know Ashley: Her Background and Story)
15:22 From 3 to 4 Bed: The $13K Upgrade That Boosted Rents, Appraisals, Demand!
25:31 How Do You Verify a Tenant’s Income the Right Way?
26:15 How Do You Stop Tenants from Sneaking in Pets or Extra People? (Landscaping?!)
35:14 What Are The Best Detroit Neighborhoods for Section 8 Rentals!
41:53 Where Do the Best Real Estate Investors Find Contractors?
56:21 The Airbnb Strategy That Doubles as a Business Loan Hack
01:03:22 What are the BEST Zip Codes for Detroit Airbnbs 🚀
01:10:21 Why Is Affordable housing (i.e. lack of supply) Hard to Solve?
01:13:38 Where/How to contact Ashley?
#RealEstate #AffordableHousing #AshleyHamilton #KentFaiHe #DetroitRealEstate #Section8 #VoucherHousing #48235 #48228 #48224 #48205 #48221 #AirbnbDetroit #BasementBedroom #EgressWindow #RentIncrease #Appraisal #TenantScreening #LandlordTips