Most people flip houses for profit. Michael Cordray flips them for Galveston. He is not chasing the highest sale price or the fastest turnaround. He is chasing something much harder to find the original soul of a home that most people have already given up on. That mission turned a quiet Texas real estate guy into one of the most genuine personalities on the Magnolia Network.
In this 2026 biography, we cover everything: Michael Cordray age, net worth, wife Ashley Cordray, kids, Save 1900, Restoring Galveston, education, awards, and the full story behind his rise from Galveston native to television’s most authentic restoration expert.
Who Is Michael Cordray?
Michael Cordray is an American home restoration expert, real estate entrepreneur, and television personality based in Galveston, Texas. He is best known as the co-host of Restoring Galveston on the Magnolia Network, which he stars in alongside his wife Ashley Cordray.
He is also the co-founder of Save 1900, a Galveston-based restoration company dedicated to saving historic homes from demolition. Before any cameras showed up, he was already doing the work quietly, purposefully, and with a depth of passion that no producer could manufacture.
Michael Cordray Wikipedia / Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Michael Cordray |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1982 |
| Age (2026) | 44 Years Old |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Parents | Emil Cordray (deceased, 2007) & Helen “Bootsie” Cordray |
| Wife | Ashley Cordray (née Youngblood) |
| Married | April 4, 2014 |
| Children | 3 daughters Elle, Emma, Emory |
| Education | B.S. Maritime Administration – Texas A&M University at Galveston (2006) |
| Profession | Home Restoration Expert, Real Estate Investor, TV Host |
| Company | Save 1900 (co-founded 2015) |
| TV Show | Restoring Galveston (Magnolia Network) |
| Previous Show | Big Texas Fix (DIY Network / HGTV, 2019) |
| Net Worth (2026) | $1 Million – $5 Million (estimated) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (estimated) |
Early Life and Roots in Galveston
Michael Cordray was born on March 18, 1982, in Galveston, Texas the same island city he has dedicated his entire career to preserving. His roots there go back further than most people realize. The Cordray family was building homes in Galveston as far back as the 1800s. That is not background noise. That is a legacy he grew up inside.
His father, Emil Cordray, owned rental properties across Galveston and was known locally as an avid coin collector. One of Michael’s first childhood jobs was selling coins alongside his dad. Emil passed away on August 22, 2007, before he could see how far his son would take that love for Galveston property. His mother, Helen known affectionately as “Bootsie” was also born and raised in Galveston, attended Ball High School, and later worked at Valero Energy Corporation.
Growing up surrounded by historic coastal architecture, beach culture, and a family deeply rooted in the community gave Michael a perspective that simply cannot be taught in a classroom. Old houses were not a renovation opportunity for him. They were personal history.
Education and Early Direction
Michael Cordray attended Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration in 2006. That degree is not an obvious path to a home restoration career but it gave him a sharp understanding of business, logistics, and project management that would prove invaluable when running Save 1900 at scale.
It was at TAMUG where his path and Ashley’s would eventually cross. They attended the same university, graduated a few years apart, and would later meet professionally at Kirby Inland Marine in Spring, Texas.
His academic foundation was practical, not flashy exactly like the man himself.
Michael Cordray Age, Ethnicity, and Nationality Explained
Michael Cordray is 44 years old as of 2026, born on March 18, 1982. His birthday falls on the same date his youngest daughter Emory was born in 2023 a coincidence that made that particular birthday one for the record books.
On the question of ethnicity, there have been online speculations that Michael Cordray is Hispanic, largely because Galveston has a significant Hispanic population of approximately 27.7% of residents. That speculation is incorrect. Michael Cordray is Caucasian, born and raised in Galveston, Texas, and holds American nationality.
| Detail | Information |
| Age (2026) | 44 years old |
| Birthday | March 18, 1982 |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Galveston, Texas |
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From Real Estate Risk to Purpose
After graduating from TAMUG, Michael joined Kirby Inland Marine, working a corporate job in the marine shipping industry. It was a stable career. It paid well. It was not where his heart was.
When Ashley came into the picture as a Kirby employee she spotted something in Michael’s background that he had perhaps underestimated. He was from Galveston. He understood its homes. He had watched his father manage properties his whole life. Ashley proposed they channel that into something real.
In 2011, shortly after they began dating, they flipped their first house together, a run-down property listed at just $55,000. That project was the crack in the door. It was messy, challenging, and absolutely addictive.
They continued flipping homes while maintaining their corporate jobs. Ashley eventually left Kirby first, then convinced Michael to follow. He made the leap in 2015 leaving a stable VP-level career to go all-in on restoration. That decision proved to be everything.
The Birth of Save 1900
In 2015, Michael and Ashley Cordray officially founded Save 1900, a home restoration company with a name rooted in meaning. The company is named after the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in American history, which destroyed much of the island. Many of the homes Save 1900 works on date back to that same era, survivors of that storm, now threatened by neglect and demolition.
Save 1900’s mission is clear:
- Buy severely distressed and neglected historic properties in Galveston
- Restore structural integrity while preserving original architectural character
- Blend modern functionality with authentic Victorian and early-20th-century design
- Resell, rent, or convert properties into boutique accommodations
One of their most notable non-residential projects is The Mansard House, a restored 1912 boarding house transformed into a fully-fenced boutique hotel in Galveston, Texas. It is a perfect example of what Save 1900 does: take something forgotten and make it worth remembering.
As Michael put it in their own words on the Save 1900 website: “We are saving as many dilapidated and neglected homes as possible before they are demolished and lost forever.“
Restoring Galveston and Television Breakthrough
HGTV producers came looking for their next renovation stars in Galveston and the Cordrays were the obvious answer. Ashley was initially hesitant. They did not have a massive portfolio yet. Michael pushed forward. He believed in what they were doing enough to film a sizzle reel and send it in.
The producers ordered a pilot. To make it work, Michael and Ashley took out a significant loan to purchase eight properties they would renovate and flip on camera. That is not a casual creative decision. That is a best-everything moment.
The show launched in 2019 as Big Texas Fix on the DIY Network and HGTV. After Season 1, it was rebranded as Restoring Galveston and moved to the Magnolia Network. As of 2026, the show has aired seven seasons, a run that reflects genuine audience loyalty, not manufactured drama.
On-Screen Dynamic with Ashley Cordray
What makes Restoring Galveston work is not the properties. It is a partnership. Michael handles the structural and construction side foundations, framing, and the physical guts of the build. Ashley leads on design, aesthetics, and the creative vision for each space. They do not perform for the camera. They just work, and the camera follows.
Their on-screen dynamic is grounded, funny, and completely real. Michael is the steady, practical anchor. Ashley is the creative force who pushes boundaries. Together they are one of the most naturally compelling renovation duos in the genre because none of it is an act.
Major Projects and Defining Moments
Save 1900 and Restoring Galveston have tackled dozens of properties across Galveston Island. Some stand out more than others:
| Project | Details |
| First Flip (2011) | Purchased for $55,000 launched their entire restoration journey |
| The Kettle House | An iconic Galveston property with a unique shape; won the Sally B. Wallace Preservation Award |
| The Mansard House | Restored 1912 boarding house converted into a boutique hotel |
| Gustave Mayhoff Cottage | Historic home renovated over two years (2020–2022); became the Cordrays’ personal family home |
| 8-Property TV Package | Bought and restored 8 homes simultaneously to film Season 1 of Big Texas Fix |
| 3608 Avenue O | Received the 2017 GHF Sally B. Wallace Preservation Award for rehabilitation |
Every project on that list was a risk before it was a reward. That is who Michael Cordray is, someone who walks toward the hard thing when everyone else turns away.
Personal Life and Family
Michael Cordray is a deeply private person by default. He does not crave celebrity. He craves craftsmanship and community. Most of what the public knows about his personal life comes through Ashley’s social media and the occasional glimpse on the show itself.
He lives in Galveston with his family in the same city where he was born, where his father owned property, and where his family has had roots for well over a century. He has never left, and there is no indication he ever plans to.
His personal interests are exactly what you would expect from someone like him; he keeps beehives, tends chickens that constantly escape into the neighborhood, and has been known to drive four hours in one direction just to find the right historic front door for a restoration project. That is not content creation. That is obsession, in the best possible sense.
Ashley and Michael Cordray Kids, Marriage, and Family Life
Michael and Ashley met as coworkers at Kirby Inland Marine in Spring, Texas. Ashley had studied Marine Administration at Texas A&M Galveston the same university Michael attended. When she discovered he was actually from Galveston Island, she saw their future instantly.
They began dating in 2011. They tied the knot on April 4, 2014, in a ceremony consistent with who they are grounded and personal. In August 2023, they renewed their vows, nine years after their original wedding.
Their three daughters:
| Child | Birthday | Birth Details |
| Elle Lane Cordray | November 25, 2019 | 8 lbs 6 oz, 21 inches |
| Emma Cordray | May 24, 2021 | 9 lbs 5 oz, 21.25 inches |
| Emory James Cordray | March 18, 2023 | Born on Michael’s birthday |
Emory’s birth on Michael’s 41st birthday is one of those genuinely beautiful life moments. Ashley gave birth the same day her husband turned another year older. Their family is not a subplot of the show. It is the whole reason the show exists.
There is zero credible evidence of any separation or marital trouble between Michael and Ashley Cordray. They renewed their vows in 2023. They are building homes together and raising three daughters in Galveston. That is not a marriage in trouble. That is a real partnership.
Net Worth and Financial Growth
As of 2026, Michael Cordray net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million. The range reflects the complexity of how his wealth is structured, most of it tied up in real estate assets, restoration projects, and the Save 1900 business rather than liquid cash or traditional salary streams.
Combined with Ashley, their estimated joint net worth as a couple sits closer to $3 million to $5 million, built steadily over a decade of restoration work and television income.
| Income Source | Estimated Contribution |
| Restoring Galveston (Magnolia Network) TV salary | Primary income stream |
| Save 1900 property sales and flips | Significant real estate revenue |
| The Mansard House boutique hotel | Ongoing hospitality income |
| Airbnb and rental properties | Passive recurring income |
| Real estate appreciation (Galveston) | Growing asset base |
| Total Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $1 Million – $5 Million |
This is not a lottery-winner story. It is what ten years of consistent, purpose-driven work actually looks like on paper.
Business Interests and Investments
Michael Cordray’s investment philosophy is simple: put everything back into Galveston. He does not chase diversified portfolios or speculative opportunities outside his expertise. His money goes back into the same community he grew up in.
Save 1900’s business model operates across multiple channels:
- Buy and sell Purchase distressed historic properties, restore them, resell at market value
- Buy and hold Retain restored properties as long-term rental income assets
- Short-term rentals Convert certain properties into Airbnb listings
- Boutique hospitality The Mansard House is the flagship example of this model
Unlike many television renovation personalities, Michael has never chased flashy brand deals or unrelated celebrity ventures. His business focus is narrow, deliberate, and deeply tied to a place. That restraint is actually a strength, not a limitation.
Public Image and Cultural Impact
Michael Cordray has become something genuinely rare in the world of home renovation television, an authentic figure whose public image matches his private one. He does not play a character. He is the character.
In a genre full of overproduced reveals and manufactured conflict, his straight-talking, work-first approach cuts through. Viewers trust him because he never gives them a reason not to.
Beyond television, his impact on Galveston is concrete and measurable. Save 1900 has pulled dozens of historic homes back from the edge of demolition. The Galveston Historic Foundation has formally recognized their work multiple times. He has changed how Galveston residents and viewers across the country think about old homes and what they are worth saving.
That is a cultural impact. That is legacy work being done in real time.
Challenges and Controversies
Michael Cordray runs a remarkably controversy-free public life. There are no dramatic feuds, no public scandals, and no tabloid stories. His reputation is built entirely on his craftsmanship and character, and neither has given anyone reason to question them.
The real challenges in his career have been professional, not personal. The early days of Save 1900 meant taking on properties that were genuinely risky financially homes with foundation failures, severe water damage, and uncertain resale value. The decision to take out a large loan to purchase eight properties simultaneously for the TV show was not a small risk. It was an all-or-nothing moment.
He also navigated the transition from corporate employee to full-time entrepreneur leaving the security of a steady paycheck in the marine shipping industry to bet on a restoration company in an industry that can be brutally unpredictable. That kind of risk is easy to describe in hindsight. It was genuinely hard in real time.
There is nothing manufactured about the obstacles Michael Cordray has faced. They were real, financial, and structural just like the homes he fixes.
Unknown Facts About Michael Cordray
Facts about Michael Cordray that most people scroll past:
- The Cordray family has owned and built homes in Galveston since the 1800s his passion for restoration is literally in his bloodline
- His youngest daughter Emory James was born on March 18, 2023 the exact same day as his birthday
- His father Emil was not a builder by trade he was a coin collector, and Michael’s first job was selling coins alongside him
- He and Ashley renewed their wedding vows in August 2023, nine years after their original ceremony
- Before Save 1900 had a name or a plan, they flipped their very first house just two months after they started dating in 2011
- He drove four hours one way just to source a historically appropriate front door for a restoration project because the wrong door was not an option
- The Cordray family keeps beehives and chickens on their Galveston property their chickens regularly escape into the neighborhood
- Save 1900’s name directly references the 1900 Galveston hurricane, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history
- Ashley gave birth to Elle Lane while the crew was on a break filming Season 2 and returned to fixing properties three days later
- The Kettle House named for its unusual shape is one of their most celebrated projects and earned a Sally B. Wallace Preservation Award
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michael Cordray?
Michael Cordray is a Galveston-born home restoration expert, co-founder of Save 1900, and co-host of Restoring Galveston on the Magnolia Network alongside his wife Ashley Cordray.
How old is Michael Cordray in 2026?
Michael Cordray is 44 years old in 2026, born on March 18, 1982, in Galveston, Texas.
What is Michael Cordray net worth in 2026?
Michael Cordray net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million in 2026, earned through Save 1900 restorations, real estate holdings, TV income, and hospitality ventures.
Is Michael Cordray married?
Yes, Michael Cordray is married to Ashley Cordray; they wed on April 4, 2014, and renewed their vows in August 2023; they are still very much together with no credible reports of separation.
How many kids do Ashley and Michael Cordray have?
They have three daughters Elle Lane (born November 2019), Emma (born May 2021), and Emory James (born March 2023, on Michael’s birthday).
What is Save 1900?
Save 1900 is a Galveston-based home restoration company co-founded by Michael and Ashley Cordray in 2015, named after the 1900 Galveston hurricane; the company rescues and restores historic homes that are at risk of demolition.
What happened to the Big Texas Fix?
Big Texas Fix was the original name of their show when it premiered on DIY Network and HGTV in 2019; it was rebranded as Restoring Galveston and moved to the Magnolia Network after Season 1, where it has continued for seven seasons as of 2026.
Does Michael Cordray own Save 1900?
Yes, Michael Cordray co-owns Save 1900 with his wife Ashley Cordray; both are equal partners in the business and the television show.
What is Michael Cordray’s nationality and ethnicity?
Michael Cordray is American, born and raised in Galveston, Texas; he is Caucasian, not Hispanic, despite online speculation driven by Galveston’s Hispanic population demographics.
Where does Michael Cordray live?
He lives in Galveston, Texas the same city where he was born in the Gustave Mayhoff Cottage, a historic home he and Ashley restored over two years between 2020 and 2022.
Is Michael Cordray Hispanic?
No. Michael Cordray is Caucasian and American; the speculation that he is Hispanic comes from the fact that Galveston has a large Hispanic community, but it does not apply to him personally.
Final Thoughts
Michael Cordray is not famous because he wanted to be. He is famous because he cared enough about something real, the historic homes of Galveston to bet his career, his savings, and his family’s financial security on saving them. That kind of conviction does not come from a producer’s pitch. It comes from growing up in a city where your family has owned homes since the 1800s.
His Michael Cordray net worth of $1 million to $5 million is the financial reflection of a decade of smart, purposeful work. But the real measure of what he has built is in the homes still standing on Galveston Island that would have been demolished without him. You cannot put a price tag on that.
He is a husband, a father of three daughters, a restoration craftsman, a television host, and a genuine community builder all in the same city where he was born. That is not a career arc. That is a life with purpose.
Khurram Ali is a dedicated content writer at StarSecretsHub.com, specializing in celebrity biographies, net worth analysis, and lifestyle insights. He creates well-researched, engaging, and easy-to-read content that explores the lives, success stories, and hidden facts of global celebrities. With a strong focus on accuracy and SEO-friendly writing, Khurram aims to deliver valuable and entertaining content for readers interested in the world of fame and fortune.
