But it seems like to me you have it backwards…it is usually the buyer who puts up the down payment… that is your “skin in the game”.  

That way they have skin in to pay their rent, I get long-term cap gain rate if they buy and I can exchange if I want to.  

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

Most lenders are hesitant to give you financing with no skin in the game for the first deal. 

Fresh out of college and I'm looking to get my skin in the game in residential real estate investing.

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

So it is almost like operating a duplex in the skin of a SFH.Last thing- CHECK OUT THE BANK OF AMERICA GRANT PROGRAM!!!

Investors who are going to give you large sums of money to invest beyond maybe the down payment on a 2-4 unit multi family will want to know that you’ve got some years of experience under your belt and some skin in the game.

@Garret Anthony Central Ohio has some great opportunities for the long term...and C-class value add MF is the way to go...finding the deal is the hard part....most agents and wholesalers are looking in the 1-4 unit range by default...I would recommend buying as many units as you possible can out of the gate...don't fool around with duplexes if you have $200k to spend...it will take longer, but a deal that meets your criteria will come along...or a possible partnership with a like minded investor that can put some skin in the game...

Buying as a primary (less skin in the game- higher COC return ) house-hack that until you roll into a new primary which shifts the prior house over to your asset column.