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.

It has cost many people including myself a lot of unnecessary money and still is because you deal with the tax portion of opening unnecessary LLCs recommended by supposed professionals. 

This means building a budget that includes setting aside funds for your next investment.

I do not worry much about "hurried or sloppy work" because it is also in my contract that all work must pass inspection, which may include the city / county (for permitted projects), lender and myself.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Updates include a new septic system, wall-hung boiler with radiant heat, and a remodeled kitchen with new appliances and an island.

From my experience, security has been good, there’s plenty of space around the pools and clubhouse area too, so it’s never loud or crowded, and the HOA appears to also cater to a broader more modern and contemporary audience, to include its Canadian, Brazilian and European guests and investors.

This could be a reputation and brand killer.  

I own several in Alabama, including one in Bham.

Building a 4,000-square-foot, three-story duplex with a 1,000-square-foot ADU could cost about $1.83 million, including construction and permits (excluding land).