Didn't have skin in the game back then and I trusted him / I was TOO nice.)Apparently took 4 months to pull permits.

Or is your money just being used as the debt service of whatever loan he is getting, so he has skin in the game himself?

I have spoke to the county clerks office numerous times and am starting to think i might be irritating them a bit :) I have been directed to the FTP site but the folders listed are confusing to say the least.

Since I'm doing FHA, I don't have too much skin in the game.

I do not buy materials and pay labor costs for a job without the customer having some skin in the game to ensure they don't screw us.  

Sure you have skin in the game with the collateral, but you have very little money in the deal.

I'm willing to put skin in the game, I just don't know what all of the options/possibilities are (until a couple weeks ago, I did not know that hard money lenders exist). 

That way from the agent, to the quote, to the management they have skin in the game and you are working with one company through the entire process.  

Private lending may work but you still need skin in the game and the interest rates are more than conventional mortgages.

Nonetheless, they will want to see your track record (most important), how much skin in the game you have and a solid business plan.