Not eligible for 401k match until a year. Still contribute?

[Alex Howard]

So I'm an engineer by trade(27 y/o), and I've always been one to chase the money. Over the past 5 years I've only stayed at a job as long as a year and a half. I get anywhere from a 15%-25% raise when I jump jobs, which is much better than the 3% most of Americans get every year obviously. One of the downsides is that I have to usually wait a year before the 401k is matched at most of these companies. Would it be wiser to simply take what I normally contribute to 401 and keep in a regular savings account that I can access without a penalty so that if I find a property I like I can invest without the hassle? I know it won't appreciate as well, but if a property cash flows well enough, and I have enough properties, I believe that will beat out the % I get back from the 401.