In my county, you can build on 75% of  your land, beyond that the county won't approve permits.

Are new lots for a trailer based homes being permitted in Austin?

This will permit you to create a first or borrow more money.Charge yourself low interest and good terms with a discount for early pay-off.Always have "first right of refusal" in the even note holder decides to sell the note at a discount, you will be in a position to benefit from that sale.Ask friends and family to deposit money in an interest escrow account for your use to purchase real estate - offer them an interest at a good rate, with a equity bonus when property is sold and optional give them an equity position in the property.Hope these ideas will help you.Charles Parrish 

I'm preparing to add two more units by splitting the main house which will require plans, permits, and financing...

 $9k for the plans and all the permit running and time at the city is about right.Ask me how I know this

If you  house has a "Vacant House Notice" You will need to get a "use and occupancy permit" (U&O) before you can rent it.

I have contacted the county health dept and they emailed a sketch included with the original septic permit.

If you want to save money on postage and are sending a large amount of post cards you might want to have them preprinted with mail permit information. 

Tomorrow I'm going to the city to see if they pulled permits on the addition because, based on what I've seen of it, there's a high possibility the addition wasn't permitted.) and a short basement (it's about 5-5.5 ft under the main house and 6'10" under the addition). 

The permits they are charging really amount to bribes.