and secondly would it be ideal time now to make that decision, since the lower unit walls are exposed?

Ideally the property would have one meter that all the units share, and one solar system that feeds that meter.Lastly, leasing is increasingly less attractive to new solar customers. 

Its confidence in the value of the market and ideally that confidence needs to be backed by historical trends and data plus some knowledge about the area of investment and its evolution. 

A little bit about me: I was born and raised in LA, I'm 23 years old, and I work as a software developer.

Peter if you go new subdivision pay attention to the size and solvency of the builder.The small builders that do one off homes or small to mid size cluster subdivisions those are the ones that usually can be in big trouble if an economic shift happens.Look at new build permits coming online for the area and the price range you are looking at.The big builders tend to be more experienced and can still finish out  projects with down turn so you do not get left with a pipe farm development where some homes and some empty dirt parcels.Nothing is foolproof but this can help.

I have been speaking with the county and a local developer (they are my consultant on this project) regarding the soft costs of the land development/preparing the site. 

The idea is for you to develop your team, solid set of relationships and maintain discipline (critical, even though it's very hard to do IRL).

@Charlie Gruber this should be a good motivator for you to study the issue, develop a policy, and PUT IT IN WRITING!

An ideal candidate would be someone who could get a survey within a week or two.

Galvanized in the ground will eventually develop rust holes.