I collect the first and last month's rent at lease signing.It's all about skin in the game.

This allows less investor capital to be put down on a property while getting the seller a higher asking price, but the trouble is that banks and credit unions typically want to see some form of cash (or 'skin in the game') before loaning. 

Sometimes banks will still want you to come in with some to have skin in the game.  

You can easily find short term financing with a Hard or Private Money Lender since you easily have skin in the game.There are two fundamental elements to the BRRRR strategy.  

Recommend using the $5000 ( skin in the game) as a down payment on a lease option or rent to buy deal that you analyze will bring a positive cash flow after all cost and expenses to get your first rental home under contract.

We also work with individual investors to place them in smaller deals to build capital, so there are several ways to skin the proverbial cat.

You are in better position than most since you can put some skin in the game.

@Chris Gravitt - You can finance 100% of construction using the value of the lot(s) as your "skin in the game".    

(about 200K in equity) When I bought purchased, I barley made the DTI requirements with the skin of my teeth as I only bring in about 35K a year at the time.

If you think about it, by me getting paid on the back end, I have skin in the game too.