But in my opinion, you don't need as much money to acquire a property to hold, where as flipping, you need some skin in the game or OPM.Great debate and arguments here on this thread - Very proud of most of the input from our multi-dimensional community. 

I think you need to have more of your own "skin in the game".

Having money in hand ("skin in the game") is going to get you better rates, help you access more financing options than if you have non, and is going to make you work harder and smarter because we're always more careful about spending our own money.

VA only guarantees I think its around $104.25k (check for yourself), which is 1/4 of the total eligibility, but the banks working with VA are comfortable allowing you to use that guarantee to take out a much more expensive loan because the main skin in the game is covered by that guarantee, but the way the VA eligibility is used is on a percentage of the property value.

Consider working hard to find partners who can 1. look at deals with you 2. help fund them ...I have found the best relationships I have with private money lenders are when I come to the table with both a solid deal under control, and the ability to have some "skin in the game" ... 

No skin off their back either way right?

Most want skin in the game.  

As well, they are putting their own skin in the game by putting in 20% of the equity for each deal.The investment would look like this on a hypothetical project of $1,000,000Investment:Mtg (70% LTV): $ 700,000Managing Partners: $ 60,000 (20% of the Equity Needed)Equity Partners: $ 240,000 (Balance of Equity Needed)Ownership:Managing Partners: 85%Equity Partners: 15%In addition, the Equity Partners would be paid a preferred 8%.Based on their projections (and lets assume they are right), the Equity Partners would end up with ~20% ROI / Y + 15% of net proceeds on exit.So ‘work’ free 20%/Y + longer-term capital gains; what’s wrong with that??

You will need to find out what buying criteria these buyers have, so that you can be profitable.5) Develope a tough skin, because we all face some no's and yes's.

You aren't going to be able to find someone in preforeclosure a new house with your realtor license, they cant get the loan.You better have a thick skin if you are going to call preforeclosures and say "I hear you are in foreclosure, can I buy your house for less than its worth?"