Build the relationship, it is far more important than the irritation at their inflexibility. 

I have a weakness for their potato skins....

Personably, I don't have a skin in this game.  

You will definitely need to have skin in the deal.  

They only add cost.I could go on about the cigarette butts in the parking lot, the burns in the counter tops, sink tops, window sills, flooring, the tar on the walls, in the filters, on the ceilings, light fixtures, outlets or switches or the irritation to the non-smokers in your building, but that wouldn't be news to anyone.  

You do need some skin the game.

However, if the city (people) of Portland want me to put more skin in the game then they will have to put their money where their votes are.

(And actually invested in another business with a partner of mine) I don't have money to invest in properties myself (or skin in the game as is popularly referred to) With that being said my credit isn't great and I obviously understand the greater than normal risks involved so I would be happy to take a cut in the profits for the first few deals with higher points as I save up for the down payments private/hml require(I read average is 20-35%) However, I have heard and read about PML/HML that will make deals based solely on the deal without requiring you to put your own money down or checking credit or anything involved because they use the property as the gaurantee.

They will want you to have skin in the game and/or some experience.  

They look at it as you are not taking the same risk as they are since you have no "skin in the game".This doesn't mean you can't do it.