Based on some of the previous similar threads, it seems that having a good cross-border team is a crucial step in this game.

@Nadeem Alamgir Thanks for the step by step detailed suggestions!

Find Brandon's videos on YouTube for the "four square" method of analyzing homes and practice.

After talking with an operator I felt he was a good choice for a tenant and he mad a great offer above market for the apartment so we agreed.In the past I would usually rent my own units and to stay competitive I would keep an eye on the rentals in the area and try to be one step above if I could....This time that was a little tougher as the neighborhood hasn't gotten very trendy. 

What steps have you taken so far? 

There are many who will argue my methods and that's fine, it's worked very well for me and has been extremely rewarding in ways that cannot be compensated monetarily. 

What would be the very first steps to get started? 

I was thinking more of like either refinancing my current VA loan or getting a HELOC and using the equity I have to acquire rentals and potentially doing the BRRRR method to recoup my initial investment.

That would be my recommendation for next steps. 

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.