I haven't ever used a countertop surface other than quartz in my new build,  Formica does not enter the discussion, ever.  

Lenders want 25% down on an investment property because they want you to have enough skin in the game that you aren't going to just walk away.

Now a days, banks want investors to have some skin in the game to show that you are serious about a property.

I love the coaching model because in my experience when people have skin in the game, they will put more into it and will be held accountable and will perform betterthanks for your analysisGino

And both options have sponsors with skin in the game via the coinvestment.I think that the platform that Larry promotes, is nice because the coinvestment of 30% is much larger than typical.

An inspector can give you a surface level idea of the properties condition but when you start to open up walls, all bets are off. 

I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to real estate experience. 

This will show that you have skin in the game and you are not trying to sell them on an opportunity that might work, but rather letting them in on a deal that you WILL MAKE WORK.  

As long as you have "Skin" in the game they may work with you.

It depends on the lender, your relationship with them, your past experience etc, but they usually want you to have skin in the deal.