Redline Redesign & Rentals

10/27/2026

💰 MONEY TALK TUESDAY!

YOU CAN’T BUDGET YOUR WAY OUT OF AN INCOME PROBLEM

Something I've learned through years as a small business accountant is that sometimes the BIGGEST improvement to your bottom line doesn't come from cutting expenses.

It comes from INCREASING REVENUE!

And I think the exact same concept applies to our household budgets. Because essentially, our households are businesses, and if you aren’t running it like one, you should start now!

Let's face it. In today's economy, groceries, mortgages, rent, insurance, utilities, and gas to get to work aren't optional!

Of course we should budget, clip coupons, shop sales, and compare prices. I believe EVERYONE should be smart with their money, regardless of income!

But there's only so much you can cut.

Let's run some numbers! 🧮
🛒 How hard would it be to CUT $100 from your family's weekly grocery bill?
More coupons. More meal planning. Shopping multiple stores. Giving up name brands. Cutting out extras.
You could spend HOURS trying to save that $100 and STILL not get there!

💵 Now, how could you EARN an extra $100?
Clean someone's house. Babysit. Deliver groceries. Mow a lawn. Pet sit. Help someone organize their home.

Same $100. VERY different approach!

And an extra $100 a week is $5,200 a year!

$200 a week? That's $10,400!

Here's something else I've noticed…

WE LIVE IN A WORLD OBSESSED WITH CONVENIENCE!

People pay others to shop for groceries, deliver dinner, clean their homes, walk their dogs, organize closets, run errands, and do things they simply don't WANT to do.

USE THAT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!
Instead of always being the person PAYING for convenience, why not be the person GETTING PAID to provide it?

DoorDash. Instacart. Etsy. Cleaning. Babysitting. Tutoring. Bookkeeping. Lawn care. Snow removal. Freelance work. Weekend event help.

You don't need to jump into real estate or launch a huge business!

There are 168 hours a week.
How many hours do we spend scrolling on our phones, watching TV, or doing things that don't move us any closer to our goals?

What could just 5 extra hours a week do for your household?

And I'm not just preaching this. I'VE LIVED IT!
Years ago, I sold Pampered Chef for YEARS. I called it my “fun money,” and I absolutely LOVED it!

We didn't necessarily NEED that extra money to pay our household bills.

I saved what I earned and took my family on a vacation to MEXICO! ☀️🌴

Now that was about five years ago.

Today, with the cost of everything, I might choose to put that same extra income toward groceries, savings, or other family expenses instead.

AND THAT'S OKAY!

Sometimes extra income buys memories. Sometimes it pays off debt. Sometimes it gives your family breathing room.

The point is having OPTIONS!

Now not all MLM’s are created equal... BUT Pampered Chef gave me more than extra income. I met people, built relationships, and learned skills I carried into other businesses.

And then came real estate.

I worked my 9–5 while building my rental business.

I can't tell you how many rentals my kids helped me clean or how many showings they tagged along for after I picked them up from school.

They were part of my hustle, not separate from it!

Those after-work hours helped build something bigger.

SIDE HUSTLES HELPED GET ME WHERE I AM TODAY.

And here's my point…

Gone are the days when working a 9–5 automatically meant having plenty of money left over at the end of the week.

Like it or not, that's the reality many families are facing.

We can keep looking for another $10 to cut, another coupon to clip, or another expense to eliminate.

OR we can start looking at the opportunities around us.

People are willing to PAY for convenience. Maybe it's time to be the person providing it!

I'm not saying stop budgeting.

I'm saying DON'T STOP AT BUDGETING!

Sometimes finding another $100 to CUT is harder than finding a way to EARN another $100.

💰 Real Numbers. Real Experience. Real Talk.

Trish Kidd
Kidd Companies/ UPWARD Real Estate KW First
📞 (906) 399-2852
📧 [email protected]

10/21/2026

🏡 BACK APARTMENT FOR RENT! 🏡

Looking for a freshly renovated place? Our fully renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom back apartment will be available for rent soon! 🎉

✨ Rental Details:

🛏️ 2 Bedrooms

🛁 1 Bathroom

🔨 Fully Renovated

💲 Rent: $1,300/month

🔑 Security Deposit: $1,800

📅 Expected Move-In Date: November 15, 2026

💡 Utilities are NOT included

🐾 Pets allowed with approval

📩 Interested? Head over to redlineredesign.com and submit your application today!

Feel free to share with anyone looking for an apartment! 🏠

Please note:
The move-in date is an estimate and may be subject to change. Additionally, some photos are digitally staged/AI-generated to show the expected finished renovation, while we are still under construction.

10/20/2026

💰 MONEY TALK TUESDAY! 🏡

YOU DON'T NEED 20% DOWN TO BUY A HOME!

Let's face it. Between groceries, utilities, insurance, and the rising cost of everyday life, saving money is HARD right now.

For the average family, saving $40,000 for a down payment can feel impossible. And there's absolutely NOTHING to be embarrassed about!

But here's what I want buyers to understand…

Sometimes it's not about whether you can afford the monthly mortgage payment. It's about how much CASH you need to get to the closing table.

Let's run some numbers! 🧮

🏡 SAME $200,000 HOUSE. THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

🔴 OPTION 1: CONVENTIONAL — 20% DOWN
Down payment: $40,000
Estimated closing costs & prepaids: $10,000
Seller concession: $0
💰 Estimated cash needed: $50,000

🟢 OPTION 2: CONVENTIONAL — 10% DOWN
Down payment: $20,000
Estimated closing costs & prepaids: $10,000
Seller concession: $5,000
💰 Estimated cash needed: $25,000

🟣 OPTION 3: FHA — 3.5% DOWN
Down payment: $7,000
Estimated closing costs & prepaids: $10,000
Seller concession: $5,000
💰 Estimated cash needed: $12,000

That's a BIG difference in upfront cash!

And these aren't the only options.

I've recently worked with buyers exploring VA and USDA Rural Development financing, where eligible buyers may qualify for ZERO down payment!

Now, zero down doesn't necessarily mean zero cash to close. That's where understanding seller concessions becomes so important.

A seller concession allows the seller to contribute toward eligible buyer closing expenses, helping buyers keep more money in their savings.

BUT REMEMBER! 👇

The home still needs to appraise appropriately, the lender must approve the financing, and each loan program has its own rules.

Lower down payments can also mean higher monthly payments and mortgage insurance costs. So we need to look at the WHOLE picture.

My goal isn't just to get you into a home. It's to help you understand your options so you're comfortable financially AFTER you get the keys. 🔑❤️

💰 Real Numbers. Real Experience. Real Talk.

Trish Kidd | Realtor & Investor
📞 (906) 399-2852
📧 [email protected]

*Illustrative estimates only. Actual loan terms, closing costs, mortgage insurance, and seller contribution limits vary.*

10/14/2026

Usually a big fan of white trim as it contrasts with my other color choices, but I'm not sure on this one! Its a small 800 sqft house so keeping it warm and inviting is important. Votes?!

10/13/2026

💰 MONEY TALK MONDAY (yes, 1 day late!)

“I BUY PROBLEMS I KNOW HOW TO SOLVE.” 🏚️➡️🏡

Some investors want turnkey properties. Me? I like the ones other people are tired of dealing with.

Troublesome tenants, deferred maintenance, outdated finishes, underperforming rentals, or simply an owner who's ready to wash their hands of a property.

Why? Because I have the knowledge, resources, and workforce to solve those problems.

Between my accounting background, real estate experience, and Redline Redesign, I've learned that some of the best opportunities come from seeing potential where someone else sees a headache.

And this property right here in Escanaba is a perfect example.

I purchased this triplex on October 24, 2023, for $125,000.

The original appraisal came back at $137,000.

So right out of the gate, I purchased it for $12,000 less than its appraised value.

But here's something important about financing: Just because a property appraises for more than you're paying doesn't necessarily mean the bank will let you use that difference toward your down payment.

My lender required 20% down based on the purchase price, which meant $25,000 out of pocket, plus closing costs. Now there are creative ways to come up with a down payment through a deal structure, but more on that later.

And that's okay. Sometimes putting money down is simply part of getting the deal done.

But I wasn't buying this property for what it was. I was buying it for what I knew I could turn it into.

Take a look at that smaller building on the left side of the photos.

I was told it needed to be demolished.

I saw a future rental unit.

Instead of tearing it down, I turned it into a one-bedroom loft-style home, taking the property from Triplex to a Quadplex.

We also remodeled all the existing units, replaced broken windows, repaired and painted railings, installed exterior doors, fixed siding and fascia, removed the fence, and cleaned up the property.

By January 2024, the work was completed.

Here's what the numbers looked like:

🏠 Purchase price: $125,000
🔨 Remodeling and improvements: $80,000
💰 Total purchase and improvements: $205,000

And after the improvements and increased rental income?

NEW APPRAISAL: $242,000!

That's an increase of $105,000 over the original appraisal, and $37,000 more than I had into the purchase and improvements, before closing costs, financing, and other expenses.

Now, that $37,000 isn't cash profit sitting in my bank account. It's the difference between the new appraised value and my project costs.

And here's where my accountant brain really kicks in...

It's not just about buying a property at a good price.

It's about understanding how to put your money back to work.

Once the property was renovated, rented, and stabilized, I worked with my lender to refinance it based on its NEW appraised value rather than the original purchase price.

My lender allowed an 80% loan-to-value refinance.

💰 New appraised value: $242,000
💰 80% loan-to-value: $193,600

That new loan paid off the original mortgage and allowed me to recover invested capital.

And here's something many people don't realize:

Money you receive through a cash-out refinance generally isn't taxable income.

Why? Because it's borrowed money secured by the property's equity, not profit from selling the property.

Of course, it's not free money. The debt still has to be paid, and the rental income needs to support the mortgage, operating expenses, maintenance, and vacancies.

But here's the part I love...

I KEPT THE PROPERTY.

I had four income-producing rental units, a substantially improved property, and capital available to invest again.

And that's exactly what I did.

I used the money I recovered to purchase my next investment property.

That's the philosophy behind Redline Redesign & Rentals:

RENOVATE. RENT. REINVEST.

Another thing I've learned along the way is how important lender relationships are.

Every bank has different lending programs, underwriting requirements, loan limits, and refinance rules. Some lenders require you to own a property for a certain period before they'll consider a cash-out refinance.

It's easy to get comfortable working with one bank, but building relationships with multiple lenders who know your business and trust your track record is important as your portfolio grows.

I'm not against putting 20% down. But I am always thinking about how efficiently I'm using my capital.

If I can improve a property, build equity, and responsibly recover some of that money to use again, I can continue growing without having to sell the investments I've already worked to improve.

That's the long game.

Not every property is a good investment. Not every renovation creates the value you expect. And refinancing isn't guaranteed.

But that's why I love running the numbers, finding the opportunities, and putting a plan together.

I don't just buy properties hoping the market makes me money. I look for opportunities where my experience, resources, and workforce can CREATE value.

Sometimes the value in a property isn't what it is today.

It's what you have the knowledge, resources, and ability to turn it into.

💰 Real Numbers. Real Experience. Real Talk.

Trish Kidd – Realtor & Investor
📞 (906) 399-2852
📧 [email protected]

*Money Talk Monday is general educational information. Investment costs exclude certain transaction and financing expenses. Appraisals, financing terms, and tax treatment vary.*

10/08/2026

This front duplex is being completely renovated and is expected to be available November 1st!
What's being updated:
- Brand-new flooring throughout
- New drop ceilings
- Freshly renovated interior
- Updated kitchen
- Clean, modern finishes throughout
The renovation is still being completed, but the unit is expected to be ready for a November 1st move-in.
Bedrooms: 2
Bathroom: 1
Security Deposit: 1,800
Utilities Included: None
Pets with approval
Photo Note: Some photos are digitally staged/AI-generated to show the expected finished renovation, while we are still under construction.
Visit redlineredesign.com/for-rent to apply today!

10/07/2026

🏠 Front Duplex Renovation Update! 🔨✨

It’s time for another progress update on the front duplex renovation! 🙌

The last time we shared an update, we had just finished putting in the drop ceilings—and things have come a long way since then!

✨ Cabinets are officially in!
✨ Main living area flooring is DONE!
✨ Bathroom flooring is DONE!
✨ The bathroom is really starting to come together!

We still have plenty left to do, but you can finally start to see this space coming to life. We’re excited to keep checking things off the list and watching this renovation transform into a finished home!

Stay tuned for the next update—we’re getting closer! 🛠️🏡

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

💰 MONEY TALK MONDAY
Your budget is NOT necessarily your purchase price.
Inventory is limited right now, and sometimes finding the right home means having a little imagination.

This weekend I showed a home to buyers with a budget around $250,000. The house was listed around $210,000 and needed quite a few cosmetic updates.

Some buyers might immediately cross it off the list.

My investor brain goes somewhere else:
What’s expensive that needs to be done—and what’s simply ugly that I can change?

Before I worry about cabinets, countertops, flooring or paint, I want to know about the BIG-ticket items:
🏠 Roof
🔥 Heating/HVAC
⚡ Electrical
🔧 Plumbing
🏗️ Foundation/structure

And then there’s the one thing you really can’t renovate:
📍 LOCATION.

If you like the location, the house has good bones, and those expensive systems are in good condition, outdated finishes can actually create opportunity.

In this example, there’s roughly $40,000 between the asking price and the buyer’s maximum budget.

A nice, mid-grade kitchen remodel might be around $20,000 when you factor in cabinets, countertops, appliances and trades. A straightforward bathroom remodel might be around $6,000, depending on finishes and scope.

Suddenly that dated $210K house looks a little different.
Instead of spending your entire $250K budget on someone else’s finished house—and their choices—you may be able to buy below budget, renovate to YOUR taste and potentially create equity in the process.

And no—you don’t necessarily have to be a handyman or have the entire renovation budget sitting in your checking account.
Renovation and construction financing options exist and vary greatly from lender to lender. Depending on the property and loan program, there may be ways to incorporate improvements into your financing. Talk with your lender about what options are available to you. Research "Subject to Appraisals", and how they can give you borrowing power based on completed remodel work.

There may be room for negotiation with the seller, too. If a major item such as a roof or furnace is seriously neglected, an appropriate seller concession may sometimes be negotiated rather than asking the seller to coordinate the repair themselves. Concessions depend on the transaction and financing requirements, but everything can be part of the conversation.

The value comes from having a plan.

Get multiple quotes. Hire good trades. Schedule the work properly. Spend money where it matters. And don’t over-improve a house for its neighborhood.

You don’t need to turn a $210K house into a $400K house. You need to turn it into the best version of the house you bought.
And if you’re currently renting, there can even be an advantage—you may have the flexibility to complete some of the messiest work before moving in.

So with limited inventory, don’t automatically scroll past the house with the ugly kitchen.

Look for:
Good location. Good bones. Manageable big-ticket items. Room in the numbers.

Then ask yourself:
🏡 “What could I turn this into?”

Sometimes the less-desirable house gives you the biggest opportunity to create exactly what you want—and create some sweat equity along the way.

As always, I’m happy to help. If you’re looking at a property and want another set of eyes on its potential, want to talk through improvements, or simply want help running the numbers, reach out anytime. I love helping people look beyond what a property is today and see what it could become.

💰 Real Numbers. Real Experience. Real Talk.

Money Talk Monday is general educational information. Financing, renovation costs, property values and individual circumstances vary.😉

09/28/2026

Check out our website at redlineredesign.com/for-rent to view our available apartments!🏡