When you’re browsing the MLS for possible listing opportunities, is their a $ per square footage Price you target first?

Ive seen top notch renovated properties with similar square footage sold recently between 70-130,000.

The absence of actual square footage makes it difficult to check to see if the rental prices listed are accurate.

However if you are going from a 2 unit like you said and lets say the new 3 unit is bigger in square footage and has a better school district, closer to your work, etc a case can be made. 

Id like to close in a porch and connect another room - add square footage and then sell it because the sq ft payoff would be well worth it.  

Agencies are afraid to state square footage these days.

Myself I have a building  background and possess journey level skill in almost all trades except maybe doing concrete work and I am also an architectural designer so I perfer properties that can be increased in value through forced appreciation and look for properties where the zoning, set back, and other requirements allow for adding square footage to a building but others perfer invest in turnkey properties already fully occupied whereas I like working with empty buildings. 

The lsiting agent most likely took the square footage number from the tax assessor records.

However, the nearby schools are not that highly rated (5-7) compared to a couple of lesser properties in Elk Grove proper (smaller square footage and fewer bedrooms, worse condition).

Wholesaler possibly, rookie investor possibly, or an experience builder who has a different exit strategy (build bigger for a better ARV, subdivide lot and build 2 houses, raise the roof and double the square footage).