However, it must be the current boom in home renovations and the opportunities for bigger fish to fry, as I'm having difficulty finding someone responsive.

Hard Money Loan - I do have a nest egg (40K) to put skin in the game along with the majority of it coming from the HML.

like mentioned above CLEAN  windows seals  PAINT  cracked ( gator skin ) looking old paint    .only one house we replaced all the windows  as they where dated   just make sure you know what the inspector needs and is looking for and you will be fine and the tenets will be safe :)

I would bank on 25-30% of build cost as your skin in the game.

A down payment is skin in the game.

A thorough understanding of legal concepts, contracts, property rights, and regulatory difficulties may be gained via studying law, especially real estate law.

Its been a true blessing to have gone to the weeds of it and grow thicker skin!

Sometimes it's just easier to understand/accept a message from a stranger who has no skin in the game than it is from a loved one.

It's definitely possible but the bank would probably also provide some pushback as they want to see the operator with skin in the game.

Difficulty Selling Properties to Free Market again, NOT correct. most investors want sec 8 tenants in.