I added the below multi-family guide for your reading.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/16/how-to-choose-areas-multifamily-deals/ (Choosing multi-family deals) http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

many development projects are financed with institutional money, and bringing equity partners in a deal is lots more expensive and lots of troubles for nothingIf your project makes sense, are decently capitalized, work with a reputable architect and builder and know how to pitch a project to lenders, you don't need to bring anyone in the deal but the bank and a hml.If no lender is interested in your project then it only means it is not feasable / doesn't have a reasonable risk/reward ratio and you should probably move on 

I am looking for reputable hard money lenders for buy and hold  properties in Florida

As far as the agreement not being recorded it is an issue if the Buyer chooses to make it an issue.  

Think "chose 1 if you're a current tenant or choose 2 if you're interested in looking at an apartment."  

There is too much work for these guys right now in Denver, so they are expensive and picky in the jobs they choose. 

If your looking to buy we need to get you set up on an automatic search so the system can start pulling options for you so you will have plenty of options to choose from when it's time to pick a house. 

Any reputable contractors will be helpful.

Do any buy and hold investors have tips on choosing aa good area to start buying multi units? 

Turnkey brings you efficiency, experience, knowledge, capacity, savings, security and beyond all in one package, if you want to be passive RE investor building wealth, you can use a reputable Turnkey operator to do your dirty work for you and collect your passive income.