Even if you don't have a car, walk for dollars.

If you're a single mom with student loans, a car payment, and living paycheck-to-paycheck, then $20,000 would be devastating and a reserve is critical.

For example, "My car broke and I had to get it fixed so I could get to work.

While frustrating for the typical investor, the Blackstone's of the world still have to provide an alpha (outperform the market or other available investment vehicles) to their investors or they will park their capital in another sector or asset.Removing capital from a business is almost the equivalent of removing gasoline from a car, without gas the business can't run.

Typical uses are to pay off credit cards or car loans, and many investors use these to purchase more real estate! 

Do all the houses on the block have a garage to park a car or all have bootleg units?

I would compare it to car repair, if you can watch a youtube video and feel confident changing out a part, then by all means save the money.

Suffice to say, the analogy is doing a paint job on a unique car - but leaving the mechanicals in place without addressing reliability. 

I bought the place for 1.2m each unit 3bd 2.5 b with 2 car garage in imperial beach ca.

For now everything is great, I just find another house in one of the best neighborhood in Richmond VA, Mechanicsville, a house 3 bed and 2 bath, easily you can rent it out for 1800, plus there are a guest house very separated from main house, fully equipped, 3 bed, 1 bath, 2 living room and kitchen , separated entrance for another street, and parking space for more than 2 cars.