I would wager that the framing in this building is acting like a thermal bridge it touches both the inside {warm} and outside {very cold} surfaces ... i.e. the building was not wrapped in a 1"-2" layer of rigid insulation before the finish cladding was installed to provide a thermal break between the exterior skin and the framing (skeleton).]

It took 2 years to find a realtor who is willing to scour the MLS for suitable properties,  show me 5-6 properties a week, write up all the offers, talk to the listing agents, and have skin that is thick enough that he is not "embarrassed" by my cash offers.  

The person with the $$ has more skin in the game and will lose money if the deal goes bad.

I think even with sweat equity you will need some skin in the game, but look around BP and search some people they are here. 

They will expect you to have at least 25% of skin in the game plus all closing costs, ect.

Sometimes as little at 2.5% of the investment, but investors like to know that you have skin in the game.

You've got a tenant in there who has skin in the game.  

More textured surfaces in the kitchen, sounds legit (and sanitary).

They are all metrics that help define cash flow so I'm surprised you're asking... frankly they are all different ways to skin the same cat.You can't just look at cash flow...

If your investors know that you have skin in the game you'll mitigate some of their concerns.It's important to remember that people don't invest in deals, they invest in people.