It has been my experience that students will flake out on signed leases but not signed leases AND skin in the game (i.e. money).

I may have to be more rigorous about getting bf/gf on the lease if tenants tell me they are moving in ... an add a bf/gf/roomate speech at move-in where I explain the difficulties my tenant might encounter getting a joint lessee or known occupant out should they part ways if I can't legally change the locks.

I generally don't like to go less than $10K-$20K on a downpayment to be sure the buyer has skin in the game.I ABSOLUTELY recommend you work with a Real Estate Lawyer and/or Title company on deeds, promissory notes, deed of trust etc... to make sure everything is drawn up correctly and filed correctly.

Wish I had a cleaner answer, but everyone is going to want you to have skin in the game. 

They don’t have skin in the game.

We don’t require any down payment (unless it’s your first deal and you have a deal where the rehab + purchase price + closing costs are under 70%, we may lower how much we loan you so that you have skin in the game).

I guess the only real answer is to try it out for yourself to find out the truth.Expanded answers by @Alexander Felice as well as @Spencer Corneliawould be interesting...For instance, what is working well for people that Alexander knows, and what issues/difficulties Spencer is running into.

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

It was recommended to me that I collect a refundable performance guarantee fee from co-signer so she has some skin in the game.

Many wholesalers have no skin in the game and if they can't find a Buyer--tough for Seller.