Keep in mind, if you're not making money, they aren't either, so they have "skin in the game".

Paging @Garrett Brown our resident STR specialist - what say you about tips for lead photos on listings??

There are rules and situations unique to each state and that is why you want to go with a local lender vice someone just reaching out to you telling you they can do it. 2) Better recourse if the lender screws something up: a local lender has more skin in the game so to speak as if they screw something up their name will be mud to local real estate agents in the deal.

Giving them skin in the game ensures they’re just as invested in success as you are.

If you want to be taken seriously I'd start saving for your first investment opportunity, maybe pick up OT or a second job to show you have skin in the game.

If you haven’t already, make sure you’ve documented everything thoroughly—photos, messages, invoices—and highlight the guest’s negligence, like leaving windows and doors open in extreme weather.If you haven’t heard back after asking to escalate, follow up again and politely but firmly request that a senior claims specialist review the case.

I don’t mind having skin in the game either, but I know using private money is key to scaling one day and would like to get some experience with it now, even if it doesn’t fund a majority of the deal. 

The collateral is so so and some have preferences such as certain asset classes they will invest in, but generally speaking, you can obtain an equity deal with very little skin in the game. 

So you will need to have skin in the game.

Reach out to specialists for a more accurate quote and to discuss your situation.