Doing these loans with low LTV's (Loan to Values) and with the borrower having enough skin in the game (their own cash), you can mitiagte risk.Another option is notes/paper.

Someone trying to take advantage will offer to do a walkthrough for "free," hoping to skin you later.Agree with Michael D. on this completely, where he was probably pricing this high figuring you were taking him for the sucker.

Too many bumps in the road with real estate to have thin skinned people to partner with.Lenders always want people together on loans.

I will do some sort of lending in the future, but no extended terms without borrower having skin in the game.

Some require your "skin in the game by only cash-out refi'ing 90% of the cost, etc. 

@Joe Dunbar  we always get pre plat approval prior to closing on the dirt in this market .. cost us 100 to 150k or a little more to get pre plat approval so lots of skin in the game.. and it takes 9 to 18 months to get said approvals

There isn't one way to skin a cat.

Buhravo Nick Aalerud all of us are beaten, bruised, skinned up to some extent . . .Your story is an inspiration to us all!

Anytime I hear a banker tell me that sweat equity does not count as skin in the game I want to slap them.

You also might have enough skin in the game to find a partner as well.