Best way to utilize my 401k for owner occupied multi

[Darren M.]

Hello ALL!

I am in Ohio and looking to buy a 75-100k owner occupied multi family home. I have around 14k saved up for a down payment but i'm trying to avoid the loan insurance by getting 20% down. I have two 401k accounts currently (1 from and old employee and my current), the first account has 1200 and my second has around 3800. I'm 26 and decided that from here on out i'm only going to pay the minimum into my 401k to get the free match and use real estate for my retirement (I'll be buying more property as I go). I've heard things about using my 401k as a down payment to actually make it work for me, instead of sitting idle. What I'm having a hard time finding is, if I can avoid early withdrawal fees or it being classified as a "hardship withdrawal) if its for a first purchase. If not, am I better off just leaving it where it is and paying the loan insurance? Is a loan from my 401k plausible or is that more costly in the long run? Thanks for any input!