I would at least get the permit to build as many units as possible.Then, you can decide to either build, package the whole deal to sell and roll the equity into something else, or refinance and buy something else.

I know its expensive but you will be well protected :)Or you save a lot of money and be better protected by doing this consistently and well:-carry appropriate types and amounts of insurance-sign contracts with indemnification provisions- obtain all necessary licenses and permits to operate your business-ensure all vendors/contractors are licensed and insured and list you as additional insured-sign well drafted and fair leases and be a responsive landlord -be an active owner or hire an active PM  who avoids or at worse timely eliminates premises liability exposure The strategies you often read about are sold by alarmist asset protection companies who fail to disclose how impractical they are.

Some of the laws in NY changed recently and you are required to obtain a certificate of no harassment, No permits will be issued until it is resolved.You will need to work with the current tenants for this certificate to be approved which can take up to a year or more, Definitely something big to consider.  

Was a building permit issued?

Your best bet is to contact the County you plan to build in (Miami-Dade County or City of Miami) and see if a stamped set of plans is required for the development of land and building Deparment permits.

A title or escrow company cannot likely help you since there is no actual transaction happening and we (escrow and title) are only permitted to perform the act of deed prep for transactions, otherwise, it is considered practicing law.Here are a few options to help with the doc prep and recording:https://recordmydocs.com/https://directlegal.com/e-record/http://docstarservices.com/

Dumpster, permits, and inspections $15,000.

and the permitting process might be cumbersome. but similar to the roof, get some quotes and do the math if you want.

We hired another contractor (a church friend of a realtor that we'd used in the past and we trust this realtor 100%) and paid him $15,000 to start the same project and everything went great; he completed demolition, installed the new roof, and got some permits (roof permit, electrical, and plumbing).

Not to mention things like septic permits that used to take 6 to 8 weeks are coming back in 1 or 2. :-)I like it slow and steady.