Again, other might feel differently here.b) Skin in the game: as a conservative investor, I understand that the dirty secret of industries that the waterfall compensation is in the line with me and incentivizes sponsors to take more risk.

We have these in our area, and my husband learns a lot from going to the meetings and speaking with other local real estate investors.If you cannot educate yourself on "how to make your properties produce" (and really, there's no way to do this unless someone who has skin in the game is located nearby), then you have to sell them, at least the ones that are losing money. 

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

The amount of skin in the game you have as a pose to the lender can cause rates to vary.

I'd start going to meet ups to network directly with them about what there expectations for the deal are:  your skin in the game, % LTV, % of rehab costs, points, etc.  

@Samuel MichaelSometimes that happens........That is why it is always good for you to have skin in the game or your own funds into the deal as well. 

Lenders want to see some sort of skin in the game, varying from about a 3-5% down payment minimum for an owner occupied home

I had skin in the game.  

My skin in the game is 10% of the purchase price.  

Either way, it's NOT the end of the world but only part of real estate venture as it's summed up in Green Day's song "Good Riddance":Another turning point, a fork stuck in the roadTime grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to goSo make the best of this test and don't ask whyIt's not a question but a lesson learned in timeIt's something unpredictable but in the end is rightI hope you had the time of your lifeSo take the photographs and still frames in your mindHang it on a shelf in good health and good timeTattoos of memories and dead skin on trialFor what it's worth, it was worth all the whileIt's something unpredictable but in the end is rightI hope you had the time of your lifeIt's something unpredictable but in the end is rightI hope you had the time of your lifeIt's something unpredictable but in the end is rightI hope you had the time of your life--------------Good luck