I'm Aja and I'm a published author, speaker, and "fin-fluencer" who enjoys discussing money, lifestyle, travel, and anything else that pertains to increasing and improving your life!
Real Estate Hack: When Women Win, We All Win
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Happy Saturday, Fellow Real Estate Go-Getter, It's Women's History Month! So, I want to take a quick moment to honor a woman who did something that most people — men included — wouldn't have dared to attempt in 1946. Meet Velma Grant. A Black real estate agent who relocated from Louisiana to California, Velma looked at a system that was literally designed to keep Black families from owning homes — redlining, racial covenants, denied loans — and decided to build around it. With a $2,290,000 loan from Bank of America, she purchased 50 acres of undeveloped land in South Los Angeles and created an entire subdivision she named Carver Manor, in honor of the late George Washington Carver. She hired an accomplished African American architect, Paul Revere Williams, to design the homes, and on opening day in 1946, over 110 units went under contract immediately. In just three years, she had started 640 homes across three subdivisions for Black families who finally had a place to plant roots, raise kids, and build wealth. [Read more on that story here →] Here's why I'm sharing this with you: When women have access to opportunity — capital, education, a seat at the table — whole communities win. Velma's homebuyers got a home — and so much more: stability, equity, and something to pass down to their children and grandchildren. That's the real power of property ownership. And it starts when we protect and empower the most vulnerable among us. This Women's History Month, I'd encourage you to:
Women's rights are human rights. And when women win, families win, communities win, and generational wealth becomes possible for everyone. Here's to the Velma Grants of the world — and to the ones being made today. Can't Invest in Real Estate Where You Live? Check out this Affordable Tropical Market:As a friendly reminder, I want to let you know that investing in real estate on a tropical island is not only doable, but extremely affordable and advantageous. Here's why I've been investing in Puerto Rico. 🇺🇸 U.S. Convenience, Caribbean Lifestyle
This means you can often buy property with low down payments, long amortizations, and familiar underwriting—while living in paradise. 📉 A Market with Supply (Not Displacement)There’s a misconception that buying property on the island displaces locals. The reality:
Thoughtful investment—especially in renovation, affordable housing, and hospitality—can:
This is a classic case where new capital can lift the entire economy rather than crowd it out. 💰 Powerful Tax Advantages (When Structured Correctly)Puerto Rico is one of the most tax-advantaged jurisdictions available to Americans who qualify:
When paired with income-producing property, these benefits can significantly improve after-tax cash flow and accelerate net worth. 🧭 Why This Matters for Your Retirement TimelinePuerto Rico allows you to combine:
That’s a rare four-way alignment—especially for Americans who want to stay within the U.S. framework. 📞 Call to ActionIf you’re serious about fast-tracking retirement through real estate investing—and want to explore whether Puerto Rico fits into your long-term strategy—I invite you to schedule a call with me. Reply to this email with a good day and time to chat. 👉 We’ll map out a plan tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and timeline. 🗂️ What We’ll Cover on the Strategy Call
From here, we'll explore whether Puerto Rico is the lever that helps you retire sooner and better. In the meantime, I think it's time for us all to become savvy investors, no matter the market we choose. So, I've got a free resource to help you with that goal. "10 Essential Steps to Start Investing in Real Estate Passively" This guide will show you how to build wealth through real estate without the headaches of being a landlord. Let’s make 2026 the year you break free from the rat race and start building wealth on your terms. To your success, ⬇️ Real Estate by Faith: Creative Ways to Become a Homeowner ⬇️ 17 Creative Ways to Become a Homeowner 💸This week's newsletter sponsors💸I hope this was helpful and encouraging! Aja McClanahan Founder of Principles of Increase | Instagram | YouTube |
Principles of Increase Media
I'm Aja and I'm a published author, speaker, and "fin-fluencer" who enjoys discussing money, lifestyle, travel, and anything else that pertains to increasing and improving your life!
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