The other is skin in hte game, if someone is putting 25% down payment, they will not want to walk away from that very easily and will fight harder to try and make payments.

It can be "little" down or "someone else's money down" but don't make the mistake of thinking you don't have to have some skin in the game.

From a lender's perspective, you sound look like a very risky borrower.Hard Money is an short-term alternative to traditional bank loans and is more suited to rehabs and flips, but any lender is: 1) Going to underwrite the deal to make sure the numbers make sense, there is a clear upside, and plenty of wiggle room (and thus will expect you to come to them with a very clear picture of exactly what needs to be done, including a scope of work, detailed costs, and contingencies), and 2) Expect you to have skin in the game. 25% is pretty reasonable, actually.

You will grow thick skin quickly.

I am doing my research on this market,  is anyone here familiar or have any skin in the game?

Putting some skin in the game is always preferred.

What's your skin in the game?

Vet sponsors hard: track record across cycles, fee structure, downside scenarios, investor communications, skin in the game, and third-party references.Leveraging those gains into local rentals (especially mid-to-long-term) is a great next move and gives you more hands-on control.

This is a BIG issue when it comes to Realtors screening tenants as they have NO SKIN in the game, as after they get their commission they won't have to be accountable for tenant nonperformance issues!

Hard money works, but it’s pricey for new investors, so I led with credibility: a simple one‑page deal story, conservative numbers, my skin in the game, clear exit, and consistent updates.