The bank won’t even let you mortgage the whole cost...you have to provide some down payment so they know you have “skin in the game”

@Darcy Reynolds - you're lucky to be wrorking in the field as a realtor, you have a big advantage and network of resources, I know you can do it.. dont wait to jump in :-)@Joe Edwards - LL at "punch you in the face" type of industry... it definitely is, and I've been punched in the face a few times, but you're right, it gives you tough skin and prepares you for success!

Note that I do not put a lot of time into due diligence until the "contract to hold" meeting, when they put some skin in the game.At the "contract to hold" meeting, I collect an amount equal to one month's rent.

Your great credit helps a lot but lenders like to see some skin in the game (either your own or a partner's skin).  

Sub-letting homes gets very tricky, there are better ways to skin the cat, IMO, but good  luck :) 

I was concerned a HML would slow-play draws for DIY materials.....or inspections for DIY are typically onerous, nearly impossible, and it's a lenders way of shaving %'s off their loan to value as a way to get increased borrower skin in the game. 

No one that is successful or intelligent will give money to a newbie with no experience and no skin in the game.

Got a million answers but no skin in the game.

We generally want the borrower to pay $5-10K towards their arrears to have some skin in the game for future performance, and that income lowers our cost basis for the note and boost the annualized ROI.

Your own skin-in-the-game shouldn't leave escrow until it's handed over to the SELLER, at closing.