I'm thinking one might be that it wouldn't show established long-term tenancy in the case that I may want/need to for lending purposes. 

I understand that reading is valuable, which is why I'm curious to know which book you would recommend for a beginner like me to start with.I have yet to buy my first property but my goal is to house hack every year,  while buying and renting properties to hold long-term until my portfolio brings more cashflow than my W-2 job.

I’m wanting to know there are specific things I should add into the contract before beginning the work, ie: terms, payments, timeline, etc.

Of course, deal terms can vary.  

I'm no longer active in Ft Lauderdale but grew up there and have an extensive network.

From the discussion, it would seem that this may go against the terms of the 1031x and that I would need to keep my name on the property too. 

This is very inefficient especially in terms of rocking, mudding, taping, and painting. 

In terms of a tenant that has paid before and had a lease, who refuses to now pay or no longer has a written lease - this is still a matter for housing court as they are a holdover tenant, not a squatter. 

Historically, residential US mortgage rates are near their long term averages.

My partner actually lives in the area that we want to invest in.The long term plan is to just use this as a buy and hold.We were planning on splitting all the repair costs.Great insight though, I think we will have to go back to the drawing board and see what type of property would truly benefit both of us.