Beyond the sheer volume of work and little demand, even getting consistent data is next to impossible, and the reason why results are hit or missed is the bigger reason to invest with groups.I.e.

They were professional, transparent, and consistently met expectations.

Square footage on the house will translate more consistently in an appraisal.

Depending on the market you don't have to be a genius to capture good upside if you've got a good project, but when you don't mitigate the downside it doesn't matter what the upside looks like (in my opinion).

The help I have provided with a few home remodels has consisted of kitchen and bathroom layouts, flow and functionality, fixtures and finishes of the home, all while trying to stay within budget.  

Real estate is  a difficult business and getting things consistently right is not easy. 

This is consistent with data from sources like Zillow, Redfin, and the local Santa Barbara Association of Realtors.However, when I go to "Pick Markets" and select Santa Barbara, the median home price listed is $620,000, which doesn’t align with what I’ve observed locally.

With consistent rental income and a strong potential for future appreciation, this property offers a reliable addition to any portfolio.

Prices in CA have risen significantly and consistently for 100 years now similarly to NYC, Miami or Other hotspots where people want to be.

I've asked lender multiple times if there is any way to avoid it and they answer is a consistent NO.