When I first moved to DC, I rented a condo in a building with a small garage. My condo did not have a parking spot, but a neighbor had two. He posted a notice saying one was available to rent right about the time I had decided to buy my first car. I lucked out and was the first to call him -- several other neighbors also wanted the spot. So I had parking before I started car shopping.

It was a nice, easy thing -- I just went upstairs and gave him a check once a month.