I ask because I'm a little uncomfortable that the "expert" has no real skin in the game and if it went sideways they aren't out anything but time. 

Looking for a RE attorney/title attorney, GC, and/or realtor that is willing to put some skin in the game and be active with me in searching for and closing deals.

Who and why is someone "potentially" letting you in with no skin in the game?

Not saying it's not possible, but this is likely the hangup. buying cash and then cash-out refi is easy and done all day, even with commercial loans, but likely all will want you to carry some liability in some form (skin in the game) that said, I'm just one lender I can't speak for all of them

Again, other might feel differently here.b) Skin in the game: as a conservative investor, I understand that the dirty secret of industries that the waterfall compensation is in the line with me and incentivizes sponsors to take more risk.

Most will require you to have skin in the game.  

So many variables, gotta have some thick skin for that potential roller coaster ride..

Or you can learn by reading, listening, watching, and still find that you would be 10x farther along if you had just started by  connecting with the right person from the beginning.Find out what kind of area you are interested in investing in, put the funds together and say here's my skin in the game, then connect on Connected Investors, BP, local facebook pages, local reia meetups, and elsewhere.

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

I have some liquid capital, not much $14,000 to be exact, I know as a new investor acquiring hard money would cost me some skin depending on the deal.