Having someone with some skin in the game has been a good option. 

One just needs to look at the ponzi that Clayton Morris and his partner had going.. paying rent on vacant homes and Investors get on BP and with glowing reports of Morris and how they get their check every month.

. $50 sounds crazily low, but there could be some justifications for it from the seller's perspective.1) There could be some upselling involved, so $50 is just to see that you're willing to spend money2) As someone else mentioned, some people mentor for free, but they might prefer that you have skin in the game so that it's worth it to them.

Without adding value through rehabilitation, you will not circumvent the required skin in the game.

Half of the reason for a downpayment is to make the borrower put skin in the game. 

The deposit amount when working with a lender comes from the lender - it is basically the amount of skin the lender wants you to have in the game. 

You can go to a CU or local bank but they want a wad a cash from you for skin in the game and your going to have a rough interest rate. 

Do they have skin in the game?

Unfortunately you have a contract with two parties: one that has no skin in the game, and one that makes and enforces the rules to their sole benefit. 

I would keep it simple, however, and give her a week to consider your very generous 50% discount.If she is as desirable as you suggest, she will understand you are running a business and not string you along and will put some skin in the game with her payment.