Most banks complained about "skin in the game" and required me to have at least 15% down.  

@Robert Rixer, I don't know how creative these are, as many are common plays:Valet TrashFencing in first floor yardsProviding washer and dryers for added rentReserved, Covered parkingTech PackagesInternet and Cable contracts, with reimbursementsPayment Plan rents, with small service charge (i.e. bill 1/4 rent each week)Reserved Rental cabanas at poolPrivate pool party rental optionGolf Simulator in clubhouse - fee basedOn site, self serve car wash (quarter feeder style)Charged group fitness/personal training servicesGame room in clubhouse with monthly subscription for tenants (Xbox, Playstation, etc)Changing out high maintenance grass for astro turf or lower maintenance/lower water use shrubberyBut ultimately, I think a lot of NOI increases come from deep dive into understanding EVERY expense and finding ways to minimize them, and/or no outsource them.Train maintenance team on basic HVAC and appliance repairs (find way to get them licensed as needed)Buy paint sprayers for faster, easier turns versus having to hire a contract painter, and possibly repaint whole unit each timeStandardize all finishes, so you can buy in bulk, everything from hinges and door knobs to cabinets, paint colors, and light fixtures.Potentially get leasing people onto lower base salary with higher bonus potentialBulk/bundled insurance across portfolio (even better at scale is to self insure)Regularly test sprinkler systems for leaks.Non-NOI, but benefit to you: partner with insurance agency to get referral kickbacks from your tenant base for renter insurance.  

Dark stain.

There are more than one way to skin it.  

I am familiar with the "rudeness" but that unfortunately is not so uncommon when dealing with government employees who have to deal with the public on a daily basis and is something you just have to have thick skin for.

And I make sure to already have established email communication with each tenant at/before the start of the lease, and use that same email address (of the two provided in the lease) with the tenant during our relationship.Real life example: I had one leave “in the dark of night” after my local agent posted an eviction notice on the door.

Banks want you to have "Skin in the game" in other words they want you to have your own money at risk.That said just because you can do a deal with 100% financing does not mean it is a good deal.

Securing 100% financing for a project is quite rare because lenders typically want you to have some skin in the game.

If you're the first one, soft, tell them you're the PM but my advise would be to actually get a good PM.If you have the tough skin, no need to lie.

To put it simply, I’ve been told that I do not have enough skin in the game myself in order to cash out some equity.We bought the seller financed with only a $30,000 down payment.