MY QUESTION IS:  What are some of the creative ways you've seen buyers show good faith/put skin in the game/help the seller reduce risk? 

Lenders need some skin in the game from you as a borrower as well.

I believe that a lot of new real estate investors make the mistake of taking on mediocre deals from the jump just to get some skin in the game. 

And, they have 0-skin in the game, what's the STR-PM's downside if vacancy is at 60%?

Because guests having some skin in the game help keep them being good guests.

No one has more "skin in the game" than a PMC as they have to deal with the property every day until an owner sells or fires them.Also recommend finding your own Inspector and not one referred by an agent.

We had to be sensitive in the transition as the community was pretty tight nit and resistant to some of the changes we were making.

If your ARV is truly 85K I suppose there is a slim chance you could find a lender who will lend you 100% of purchase and rehab, although honestly, I don't know of any HML's who will lend with you having no skin in the game.

But just have a thick skin as some FSBO owners believe they own the American version of Buckingham Palace, which is reflected in their asking price.  

Most recently, Florida has banned purchases of property near military bases and other sensitive infrastructure by people from such countries as Iran, Russia, and China.