I have a thick skin & unlike many millenials- bitcoin or quick money making stressful investment schemes including stocks (without solid research - analysis & a guide or mentor) hasn’t really been my thing.

I'm surprised that the lender doesn't want you to have some "skin in the game". 

You’ve got no dog in the fight , no skin in the game but you want special finance options to take advantage of even though you have no money whatsoever in the deal .

The sister however has little to lose financially by not fighting since she has no skin in the game.

Credit and skin in the game are the two main keys in note pricing. 7.

Most investors will want you to have some skin in the game, but you can raise the majority of the dp from them.

. :)Also, I have found in my experience, is that people want to see that you have some skin in the game.  

My other thought is that if I rent somewhere for now, and then use that money as “skin in the game” for the hard money lender I’m preapproved with, to flip a property, I’ll have more cash to invest in either a duplex or vacation rental.

From their perspective it means you're not willing to put any skin in the game and the risk is all on them.

This way the seller is loyal to the broker, committed to selling, and has skin in the game.