But my understanding is that it's a numbers game.

I am currently looking to establish short & long term financing, and looking to forge relationships with  contractors in the Columbus, Ga.

Your definition is correct for "legal non-conforming".The "legal" part of "non-conforming" is dropped when it doesn't apply so most commonly people call these units "non-conforming", "finished", "in-law suite/unit", or "bonus unit".Non-conforming: Any property that doesn't meet current zoning requirements.Legal non-conforming: A non-conforming property that was lawfully established under previous zoning regulations and is allowed to continue its use.Based on his posts @Mario Morales is referring to a non-conforming unit.

U can have zero experience and just need a few bucks and a  good credit score and you can buy a home to live in or a rental.. but not development deals.. different ball game

Russ has a lot of creative solutions and uses established case law to work in ways that some of the more "cut & dry" intermediaries do not.

It's good to hear that you want to play the long-term hold game as that is how you'll ultimately build equity.  

I’d search out an established local operator and pay them to operate it.

To protect yourself, I would establish 2 separate agreements one for the construction contract with the lender and another profit-sharing agreement with the lot owner.

A prominent MLO in the northeast was recently charged and stripped of his license for playing this game with his borrowers.Also, everything is reviewed by underwriting.

I'm fairly new to the real estate game and currently have 2 properties; 4 bed 2 1/2 bath renters have been in there going on their 5th year, and a new 3 bed 2 bath we're looking into using for a midterm.I work as a radiology manager for Methodist and been with them going on 10 years.