What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

The comptroller will have public records but the property appraiser is where you can filter based off of Property type and whether or not it is owner occupied.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

Paying off the debt is a good idea, but it also depends on what type of debt it is (interest rates) and how long that will take.  

If you're using projection models, what types of variables do you include?

This is exactly the type of spirit and business that the island needs.

Two time close Construction loan would imply you were purchasing or seller financing the land first (correct me if I'm wrong loan officers).To me this type of deal could have a lot more unexpected expenses and fees that you may have to front, so I wouldn't recommend with limited capital.Just my limited opinion.

I’m going to suggest to find an experienced real estate investor/flipper/wholesaler you’re comfortable with and work out some type of partnering arrangement. 

I LOVE living in California and am so glad I didn't spend a second longer than I did being miserable in a state that I didn't feel was a good fit for me any more.We ended up buying a single family househack 4 years after moving to California where we still live as I type this.

Some places seem to thrive on STR, these tend to be the vacation type cities...maybe HI, ski resorts, gulf coast, Florida, east coastal areas, Jersey Shore, Myrtle Beach.