@Henry HsiehTo provide a different perspective:I am NOT a property manager so I have no skin in this game  But I can tell you, as a GP involved with over 1100 units and $140M AUM, good property management is a big key to successful investment. 

For those starting out, always have some 'skin in the game.' 

Yes, grow a thicker skin.

Scope of Work:Initial Assessment: Our team conducts a thorough assessment of the property to evaluate its current condition, identify structural issues, and determine the scope of renovation required.Design Concept: Collaborating with architects and designers, we develop a design concept that blends contemporary elements with the historic character of the row house, maximizing space utilization and optimizing layout efficiency.Structural Repairs: Structural repairs and reinforcements are undertaken to ensure the integrity and stability of the building, addressing any foundation issues, roof leaks, or structural deficiencies.Interior Renovation: The interior of the row house is completely renovated, including the removal of non-load-bearing walls to create open-concept living spaces, installation of new flooring, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, and installing energy-efficient fixtures and appliances.Kitchen and Bath Remodeling: The kitchen and bathrooms are transformed with modern finishes, custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, and high-end appliances, creating functional and stylish spaces for daily living and entertaining.Historic Preservation: Special care is taken to preserve and restore original architectural features such as exposed brick walls, decorative moldings, and hardwood floors, enhancing the property's historic charm and character.Exterior Enhancements: The exterior of the row house receives a facelift with fresh paint, repaired masonry, restored windows, and landscaping improvements, enhancing curb appeal and contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood.Quality Assurance: Throughout the renovation process, our team adheres to strict quality control measures and standards, ensuring that workmanship meets or exceeds industry best practices and building codes.Finishing Touches: The finishing touches, including interior decor, lighting fixtures, and hardware, are carefully selected to complement the design aesthetic and create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.Timeline and Budget:The single-family flip project in the Philadelphia row house is estimated to be completed within [timeline], with a budget of [budget].

They are not outright scams and people do some deals but you almost certainly would have been better off saving the money and profits and doing it yourself.They call the up front fee your "skin in the game". 

If you don't already own a home yourself, I always suggest house hacking as this gets some skin in the game, but also allows you to learn hands-on and offset your mortgage payments.

I'm very conservative and want conservative leverage percentages, long-term fixed rate loans, high skin in the game and sponsor that has experienced at least one full real estate cycle and lost little to no investor money.

I think you are on the right track however its going to be necessary for you to have some "skin in the game" sooner rather than later - while it can be appealing and seemingly possible to build a significant real estate portfolio with all of "OPM" the reality is you are probably going to need to have some equity in these properties - 20% or so down from your own funds to keep building. 

Needed to get my skin in the game and found a great opportunity with a wholesale deal and had a good visible gap between our buying price and the value of the home so I interested me to this deal because of the way that me and the team would be able to learn and handle these opportunities in the deal to maximize ROI and asset lifespan of performance.

Investing with none of your own money is also always an option, but understand, when you have no skin in the game, it typically means that you will be giving up more equity at the exit and/or splitting majority of the cashflow during the hold.