Increased sq footage.

The average price of acquisition in the area for the square footage was about $250,000 - $300,000 depending on condition.

If you can't find a similar property in the same neighborhood, you can use a property with less or more square footage and compute it based on the price per sq ft.

Also the best flips are in that price range as this is the golden ratio between square footage, ARV, cost of repairs... this range just works.2).

Last property I bought, I made an appointment to see it the next day (couldn't get in any sooner) and did all the research I could before I went to see it (rent and ARV comps, verified taxes, owner and square footage through city, etc.), walked the property the next day and wrote up the offer before leaving.

Bathrooms sq footage etc. last thing you want to do is get caught up replacing a roof without pulling the proper permits.

They value properties a little different, I know square footage doesn't matter.

Specifically, can I create more livable sq. footage?

Bought it as a 1-story 1300 sf house and added a 2nd story almost doubling the square footage to about 2400 sf.

Indeed, you buy by the square footage but you rent by the number of bedrooms.