My entry strategy into REI is leaning towards wholesaling deals to raise some capital so that I can show lenders that I have some skin in the game and have done a few assignment deals.

The lender wants make sure you have skin in the game by maintaining cash equity in the deal. 

Craig, if you/re as battle tested as you claim then you have thicker skin than that!

A hard money lender will want skin in the game, so you'll have to come up with some money down and most likely rehab costs.

I do have some money available to joint venture deals so I am willing to put skin in the game. 

@Jahan Habib Actually, it's riskier for the lender if the borrower has $0 or nearly $0 vs. 20% into the deal, as it becomes a lot easier for someone to walk away from something when they don't have any 'skin' in the game. 

If she will pay market, no need to get her to move.You are gonna have to develop thick skin and short memory for managing apartments.

This guy wrote Skin Tight.

Account Closed HML require some skin in the game.

I am quite sure a bank is going to want the players to have a lot of experience in the space... very good balance sheet.. and probably have the land paid for in cash.. as their skin in the game.. with those ingredients you can get this done.