As a mortgage buyer and having owned some assets where I used DOS to accelerate, the growing trend I see around has me believing there might be something to hunting for these specially.  

I think the markets have more competition because flipping is trendy.

A Meloncholy will almost certainly always suffer from analysis paralisys in any large decision they ever make....even small decisions like what tv, stereo, even sneaker you purchase.

Like other trendy growing cities such as Austin, Portland, Denver, Raleigh/Durham?  

Put up some kind of trendy looking backsplash that is not that expensive5.

OTOH, I would try to select upgrades that are not trendy so they will not look outdated so soon.

If you can keep the townhouse looking new and trendy for the college kids, it might also be easier to have it rented 100% of the time.

We got this house for the low-20s and a similar house is currently listed in the low-80s.I hope that trend is continuing...we're just about to build our first new construction about a quarter mile from there, and our numbers are pretty close to yours so far.Though unfortunately, I have a feeling we'll spend as much time just trying to get permits as you spent on your entire project

A lot of young "artist types" are moving in, and new trendy restaurants are opening up.

In my area, new construction without a basement and garage would not be very desirable unless it was on a lake or in a really trendy neighborhood.