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.

You can't just turn key decisions and details over to someone with no skin in the game and no experience.

I am new to the world of REI, and am finally ready to get some skin in the game and start expanding my portfolio.

So I require skin in the game (average is 5% to 15%) to offset this.

IF the beds were super comfy (plus the other stuff), then I'd go out of my way to write a glowing review.

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

What I'm gathering from all of the multi-year experts in here, is that there are many ways to skin this cat.  

If I added up all of the mistakes I made investing in real estate, most of them came in my first few deals as I was learning, so keep in mind that a lender is going to want to see some skin from you in the game...particularly in the beginning.

You won't make money in this game until you put some skin in the game and throw money at a few different things, evaluate how they work and how better to improve them, etc.  

Having a minimum of 30% skin in each deal is a good goal to reach for, but with less experience the higher the percentage will be needed for cash in the deal.