This week, the first two benefits to cover are access to capital, and leverage.Access to CapitalThere are many ways to skin a cat (i.e. become your own boss and control your own financial future).

Guessing you're desirous to turn your Pittsburg dirt into profits, I think you're on the right track though will suggest strongly that you yourself or someone very knowledgable that you can trust and manage babysits the process down to keys in hand, as I assure you, dealing with contractors and all entities along the developer's path takes an entirely whole new layer of skin and nerve.

MOST of them are going to want the borrower to have some skin in the game.

If you're talking about a million in build cost, do you have 200-300k (20-30%) as skin in the game to start with?

I would try to connect with others in your area that have 'skin-in-the-game' in your market.All the best

One being that it shows no "skin in-the-game" or initiative.  

Here is what I want:1. skin in the game.

Private lenders typically want skin in the game, most like to see a history of flips.

They have no skin in the game at all.The PM should have REQUIRED the deposit from you if they have the executed lease, otherwise how can they account for it on move out?

It may be good to make them partner because they will have skin in the deal.