Ask your closing attorney if this will work: have the closing attorney prepare two deeds as part of the closing package, the first will be recorded with your buddy's name, and the second (recorded literally after the first) will contain a deed with you and your buddy's name on it.

You’re not going to get real “business credit” until you have been for a while, more than a year, and have actually created a steady flow of income and track record along with some trade accounts.  

Considering the zoning is R3 and the total sq footage for the lot is 4,000 here in Providence, I don't think I stand a chance to get the Building Department to approve/change it in their records.

The properties are listed as LLCs on the tax records.

We had to refinance in order to pull out cash to purchase his share, and Zillow now shows the amount we paid for his share as the most recent sale price, so clearly it is public record. 

@Auralee Smith liens are a matter of public record, you would need to search the county clerk's office website.

It's the fastest-growing city in Ohio and average rent prices increased by 10% in August which is the highest on record.

Do I record this document?

They have a track record for making investments that carry momentum.

The tax records have both single family homes as improvements on the land.