Multifamily New Builds

[Kyle Bouldin]

I'm looking to get into REI from the developer/contractor side. I'm from Houston with a background and experience in construction for over 10 years. I have a general contracting company in Texas that I'd like to get licensed in AZ. As Texas doesn't require licenses for GCs, I'm not sure how this will work as I don't have a license that could potentially transfer over. I've been working in the Phoenix area for the last two years in the data center world. I'd like to get into small multi-family new builds as a developer where I would serve as my own licensed GC. I'm looking to build my team out here and would love to connect with lenders, agents, architects, and other contractors. I have a basic floor plan I'm looking to build and adapt to the right lot (see attached images). I know it needs a few things (bathroom size) revised to make it code compliant, and I will need an architect to help navigate zoning (another thing we don't do in Houston :D), site plans, elevation aesthetics

 and local requirements. 

Currently, the ideal move for me would be to get an acre in Pinal County that I could put a house and is also zoned for MF. My wife breeds horses and needs room for 4 of them, so we need to be rural. The idea is to house hack in a rural area that I could develop down the road and transition from once the lot is fully built up. I've spent a lot of time on the pro forma as well, but a lot of the assumptions are based on the Houston market which I'm a lot more familiar with.

Does this seem like a viable plan? Is there anything I need to consider in pursuing this? Is there any feedback you would give? How hard is it to get financing as developer/GC?