@Jose Solis you just need a loan for the land? 

Use strategic financing options like DSCR loans or interest-only periods to improve cash flow.

Not all loan officers are created equal so if you call up a branch, you are likely to get assigned someone inexperienced. 

No matter how you do it have a back up plan in the event the mortgage company call the loan due.    

Would anybody in similar position be interested in starting a partnership/s to go in on a loan together?

His solution was to wrap this loan straight into a loan I already had with him.

I work for a portfolio lender as their point person for construction loans, and now I'm trying to grow the division.

No, it was secured but apparently he used the same collateral for every loan he took out. 

I also have two buy-and-hold rental properties and am passionate about exploring unique financing opportunities.Recently, I used a VA loan assumption to purchase an investment property at a 3.3% interest rate, which was instantly cash flow positive. 

They will also dictate the terms of the loan, how it's filed, qualifications, etc.However, if you mean PML as in your friends/family that have NO experience in real estate and just have money sitting around...then I would certainly to counsel you to lean on some type of mentor or other experienced investor in Houston on what to do.