When its time to sell then colors and looking trendy is important not so much for renting.

Something being trendy/fashionable in the moment is not always what leads to the upward trend you allude to.I think the key is innovation. 

I used BP calculators to run numbers as a Fix and Flip and as a Buy and Hold, with both cash and conventional financing in the interest of multiple exit strategies.Quick details:Property is a SFH in a trendy neighborhood, three of the homes for sale within a 5 minute walk are flipped homes.Property has 3 beds and 1 bath.

Look at either the stock market or housing over a long run and the trend is up for both.

Sure there are blips during recessions, but the overall trend is upward.   

Also, the middle class has been shrinking by 11% since the 70s and that trend is continuing -> more tenants for me.

Strategies I have usedOnly buy in rising markets, the trend is you friend. 

If you're looking to maximize cash flow and catch an up trend I think it's 3-5 years late for places like UT and TX

If I was going to flip a home I buy the most trendy kitchen style as that speaks for wanting or walking away from viewing a house these days.

*new roof*interior and exterior paint*new flooring*updated electrical system*opened up doorway between dinning room and living room*all new kitchen (cabinets, stainless steal appliances, granite countertops)*trendy board and batten window shuttersThe top selling points were the beautifully tiled bathrooms and kitchen backsplash.