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- The Low Risk Way to Boost Your ARV
The Low Risk Way to Boost Your ARV

An Underused Tactic for Serious Returns
🚀 The Quick Tip
Want bigger returns on your flips or rentals?
You don’t always need to buy better — sometimes, you just need to build smarter.
Here’s the underused tactic:
Adding square footage — even a little — can drastically boost your ARV or rental income.
Most investors skip this because it sounds expensive or complicated. But in many markets, even a modest addition or conversion can result in a serious equity pop.
💡 What to Look For
Garage Conversions – Instant ADU or extra bedroom
Basement Finishes – Turn unused space into income
Bonus Room Additions – A 120 sq ft bump can push a 3/1 into a 4/2 comp category
Covered Decks/Sunrooms – Often cheaper than interior additions, but boost perceived value
Detached Units – In ADU-friendly areas, this is gold
💰 Why It Works
ARV is often calculated on price-per-square-foot — so more square feet = more value.
And added bedrooms or bathrooms can bump you into a whole new comp range.
Even on rentals, an extra rentable room = recurring monthly income you didn’t have before.
🧱 Bonus Insight: New Construction = Fewer Surprises
Unlike full rehabs, new construction or additions are predictable.
You know your budget, your materials, and your timeline.
No surprise mold behind the drywall. No "what is that plumbing?" moments.
For many, the peace of mind alone is worth the strategy shift.
✅ Bottom Line
Don’t just fix — improve.
Strategic construction upgrades are one of the most overlooked ways to create equity out of thin air —
with fewer surprises than most rehabs.