Most of them, however, want you to have skin in the game, so if you don't have enough for the down payment, look for someone you know to partner up with. 

My partner and I are looking into purchasing a multifamily building (6 unit) in Hartford, CT and trying to come up with some creative ways to put the least amount out of pocket into this deal and still make it a win-win for the seller and us.One of the things we are exploring is having the seller finance the down payment (20-25%), but not sure how to go about it as I have been told that lenders would not allow the seller to put the down payment (a 20% mtg to the seller and 80% mtg to the lender... essentially us not putting any money or "skin in the game").

As landlords getting stiffed on the rent, it's real easy to get made or irritated but swallowing our pride and trying to be accommodating usually turns out to be more profitable.  

It never hurts to try and get some skin back from the seller on inspection items.

I'm conflicted between being glad he was willing to look to see if it was a simple seal he could replace to being irritated because he likely turned a $5 fix into a $180 one.

There's a million ways to skin a cat, especially when it comes to acquisition and finance.

It's more work, more hassle and you have to have thicker skin.     

Firstly, put some money into one of their deals so you have skin in the game. 

Key problem areas include: - Operating partner should have some skin in the game.

We've all done bone headed things while working our way up in the business (myself included) wasn't trying to offend you but you don't learn from them if someone doesn't tell you why you were wrong and you really need a thick skin to succeed in rental real estate.