(he can since he has no skin in the game)  You are dead in the water without the proper protection.This can be a profitable proposition, or a very dangerous one.  

Then the Attorney will have some skin ( her/his ***) in the game if anything goes wrong and you can retain them for a reasonable rate.If you have any other paperwork, a first year Law Student should be able to rip it (and you) to shreds in Court, unless you have Legal training.

All lenders have told me, I need to have some skin in the game for them to even consider. 

IE Re Brokerage which many make big bucks at then roll into investing and developing and lending etc. ( my path personally)5.5 Of those Myriad of options they could include  RE sales,,, Lending,, Note investing, Property management, Buy and Hold ( most popular)  Fix and flip, New construction, AG , Timber , Oil and Gas leases,  there is Many ways to skin a cat in the RE investing world.6.

I tried calling a hard money lender, who told me that I would need "skin in the game" - at least 20%, which I can't do at this point. 

Although they won't have any skin in the game, so to speak, they will be appreciative and as the relationship grows and matures they can truly become a transactional partner and just as important as your attorney or accountant.6.

The best thing you can do starting out is build a strong team around you while you get some skin in the game.

Jerry employed them all with his bank accepting that no skin in the game loan.

The best thing you can do as a beginner is build a strong team around you, and team up with an experienced investor while you get some skin in the game.

The best thing you can do starting out is team up with an experienced investor while you get some skin in the game.