I am new to the game, although I have been doing rehabs for years...just not on my own properties.

Its just part of the game, I guess.Keep in mind there are landlords who are very flexible on their rules.

Is the game of getting good deals in Real Estate just a "good old boys club" as they say?

For commercial properties try Modernvalue software for this, and consult with a local commercial r.e. appraiser - they are more helpful and credible than you would think, and can help with tons of data like market rent etc. for a low price.

If a lender offers a deal where the borrower has little skin in the game or just "sweat equity" they are not giving you a loan, they are buying your project which likely you will be removed from shortly.

Can anybody suggest some good software for tracking the performance of my real estate investments?

Tom Hanks "the hard is what makes it great"If I were an aspiring RE investor, new to the game, or just starting out and looking for the right path and info, I would beg, borrow, and borrow some more to get to this event.

I felt pretty much out of the game.

They all (in my experience) require the borrower to have some skin in the game.

I am inviting the top 3% of my network to the next one to try to raise the game some more.