As someone who has coordinated 40+ deals in last 18 months for clients, I can tell you that the hardest piece of the puzzle is the property, the opportunity. 

Does it make sense to cheap out over the few thousand dollars it will cost to go through a proper escrow and title process?

We have a member of our team called the "Resident Success Coordinator" whose job is solely this. 2) Flat-rate management- We are not a percentage-based company.

I have done quite a few brrrr, but the market interest rate results in large negative cash flow when properly allocating expenses for a sustained hold.  

And if they are a hobbyist/part-time builder, then they should engage the proper professionals, i.e. a title officer, civil engineer, architect, contractor et al to assist in reviewing the project's feasibility.

Now if it was definitely a single unit and only she could do it and it was properly labled it would be on her.

Or they could never get to the latter, because they never had the beginning characteristics which include the former to develop properly. 

I am interested in hearing about your experience traversing the 'green standards' new construction and permitting process in KCMO proper.

Just keep the amount within any local rules and give proper notice.

Get a Transaction Coordinator to help you with the paperwork (~$500).