Pretty,  as others have stated here, the permitting process through the City of Cape Coral has been hindered by their ability to scale up their staff to handle the massive demands for all permitting including new construction but also anything else that requires a permit, home improvements, sea walls, alternative sea walls, pools and more.From your post, I can see that you are frustrated, and I believe some of that is due to not understanding the steps and processes of new construction, including what must be done prior to submitting permits.

Alternatively, refinancing might give you access to some of your equity without completely exiting.

Responding quickly, like you do, definitely makes guests feel valued and reassured.I think the choice between automation and personal interaction depends a lot on the host's availability and scale.

Both strategies have potential here, so it depends on your goals:Strategy 1 (Duplex) can be a solid choice for building equity and generating cash flow, especially in Austin’s competitive short-term rental market.

You can do a duplex though, which might not be a bad idea.With your credit score, conventional might be a good choice, you only need 5% down for 2-4 units if you live in one. 

Alternatively, restructure the loan with equity participation for potential capital gains treatment at lower rates.

My business partner owns a roofing company but has weak credit and more limited cash flow.An LLC is a common choice for partnerships since it protects personal assets and simplifies tax management.

I'm just presenting an alternative perspective.

If, through the process of renovating the property, the market shifts, do you have an alternate plan for the property, whether it be to live in it until the market improves, or convert it to a rental property, etc. 

Are there other, more cost-effective alternatives to gain similar support and knowledge?