I personally believe that putting 20 to 25% DP on investment properties is advantageous because it forces you to have skin in the game and to make good decisions.  

Since most property managers don't have any skin in the game they don't bother to research what service providers are best and have the best value so see what how you can hold property managers accountable for being your intermediary or add performance measures into your agreement.

I would hate to spend 13-15% on a hard money loan, but maybe with so much skin in the game, such a good deal, and so many assets, I could get a HML to do 10% out the door, for 9 months? 

They wanted to be certain that I had at least 20% skin in the game.  

Most hard money lenders require some skin in the the game.

When they have skin in the game, they are more likely to be responsive after the fact.

The one rule I have always stuck to is: you must get at least one month's rent for the deposit, any less and the tenant doesn't have enough skin in the game to prevent them from packing up and leaving in the middle of the night.

If you chose to buy cheap properties in mainly in Sec8 rental areas for high cashflow, better have thick skin and a desire for a more active role in managing your portfolio. 

The lenders like to see you have reserves and some skin in the game to feel good about the turn around project. 

I considered knocking on their door, but my skin isn't that thick.