What is typically expected considering approvals/permits take notably longer to get in the Northeast.

and... maybe your lifestyle doesn't permit it, but could you do a house hack or live in flip?

Thus far, permits are paid for and approved.

I’ve entered into an LOI to sell owner occupied commercial real estate (special land use permitted cannabis property) that I’ve held for about 18 months.

Florida video voyeurism law:810.145 Video voyeurism(1) As used in this section, the term:(c) “Place and time when a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means a place and time when a reasonable person would believe that he or she could fully disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that the person’s undressing was being viewed, recorded, or broadcasted by another, including, but not limited to, the interior of a residential dwelling, bathroom, changing room, fitting room, dressing room, or tanning booth.(2) A person commits the offense of video voyeurism if that person:(a) For his or her own amusement, entertainment, sexual arousal, gratification, or profit, or for the purpose of degrading or abusing another person, intentionally uses or installs an imaging device to secretly view, broadcast, or record a person, without that person’s knowledge and consent, who is dressing, undressing, or privately exposing the body, at a place and time when that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy;(b) For the amusement, entertainment, sexual arousal, gratification, or profit of another, or on behalf of another, intentionally permits the use or installation of an imaging device to secretly view, broadcast, or record a person, without that person’s knowledge and consent, who is dressing, undressing, or privately exposing the body, at a place and time when that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy; or(c) For the amusement, entertainment, sexual arousal, gratification, or profit of oneself or another, or on behalf of oneself or another, intentionally uses an imaging device to secretly view, broadcast, or record under or through the clothing being worn by another person, without that person’s knowledge and consent, for the purpose of viewing the body of, or the undergarments worn by, that person.(5) This section does not apply to any:(a) Law enforcement agency conducting surveillance for a law enforcement purpose;(b) Security system when a written notice is conspicuously posted on the premises stating that a video surveillance system has been installed for the purpose of security for the premises;(c) Video surveillance device that is installed in such a manner that the presence of the device is clearly and immediately obvious; It sounds like the OP's situation may not be covered.

How would I go about the process of converting this detached garage/storage area into a legal and permitted ADU?

It's bad enough in the state of Wurshington, I wonder what it's like getting permits in Mexico?

What about the permit fees and architecture plans are they included in the $265k ?

Duplex have different zoning that may permit additional units.

It's a thrilling and rewarding world, but it can also be overwhelming for newcomers.