or work for Binder and Binder doing SSI work 

Then progress to permits and then building.You could also just do it and hope the city doesn't notice, which they probably won't.Your challenge will be getting Certificates of Compliance on the units!

Licensed contractors have more of their "shtuff" together and thus are better at their job and naturally will cost more.

Learn what PIPs are and how hotels are evaluated. 

Right now its slim pickings in real estate for properties that will cash flow or see any significant appreciation. of course they are always out there but a lot harder to find.The other question is why do you want to continue to grow?

Quote from @Paul Azad: Beautiful property Blake, and great growing area, i drove through a few years ago, amazing scenerey and perrenial vacation spot, would you feel comfortable sharing the structure of the syndication for the investors, fees, projected IRR, or time weighted avg returns etc from a potential passive investor perspective?

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

And it takes belly to belly skills..

My goal for next year is scale and acquire at least 5 more properties (preferably multifamily).

Im self employed, roughly make $130k gross anually, 1099 NEC , no debt at all, 740 credit score.  Want to get a loan for $250k in AZ