From these posts, I am starting to feel a bit exposed and will try to develop a global fund with 20K to cover unanticipated unanticipated events.

You will expose yourself to a wider pool of expertise which is critical for real estate investors.Many of us service clients all over the US and even world.

How can one calls himself an investor when he's leaving himself exposed to the mercy of the market. 

He's exposing it as a way to throw you off the scent...One step above the other salesmen!

If there is a lawsuit and you are putting properties in your own name, then it is possible that your other properties could be exposed to the suit, and worse your personal home.  

You can get all the education necessary for free if you want to take time and expose yourself to risk, or for a hundred dollars you can get the education, mentoring from a volunteer professional investor - everything you need.

This would need to be a part of my portfolio for a long time. i'm really reconsidering the amount of risk i would be exposing myself to

So I am looking at this duplex and it has propane tanks for each unit.

Tomorrow makes five months of them being in the property, and they were late paying rent twice.Granted the basement does have egress windows, the ceiling area is insulated but exposed.  

Some of us utilize technology to collaborate with our clients al over the globe.Going non local will expose you to a wider pool of expertise.