Any improvement in saving money on rent is of course a net positive. 

Real estate is one of the most popular alternative investment types; in addition to rental properties, you can invest in commercial, residential, or raw and improved land with your IRA.It is a shame that your current company does not have a match policy for your contributions, but it is great that you are considering your options for savings now while you're young. 

If you can improve the property to make it worth more to the tenants that could help.

I will be able to improve the operations of the property and increase the income.

This is going to be an expensive improvement either way and I'm wondering what others may have done in the past who have done this.I've been advised that putting a grinder pump at each pad that connects to a central sewer line on the property that then connects the main line at the street is the best way to do this.

I think that as other competitors reopen their doors we will see terms improve (higher LTV for cash out, better rates, etc). 

Save up for repairs/mnx/vacancy/improvement ect?

Librarian for the city Applicant 2 has a 561 credit score but has obviously been improving as she has 100% on time payments, no evictions or judgments ect.. and can almost meet the 3x rent income on her own.  

My view (and i could be wrong) of it was to have the rehab done so it improves my future exit strategies. 

As for the second property you were spending money on making improvements during a time that it could have been redeemed and you would have had it taken away from you.