Rolling 401k into IRA

[Ryan Fish]

Hi all - I was hoping to get some information/advice on a decision I'm considering making.  I plan on leaving my current job in corporate land soon and will be taking with me a decently sized 401k.  I have been consuming all the information I can on the topic, but was hoping to get some real life examples of people who have done the same thing I am considering doing.

What I want to do is roll my 401k, which from what I've heard/read will become an IRA after I leave the company, into a self-directed IRA. I keep reading about terms like self-directed IRA, solo 401k, checkbook IRA, etc, and I am trying to get a grasp on what they all mean.

My question is, has anyone taken an old 401k, rolled it into something like what I mention in the last paragraph, and went on to invest in real estate using those funds?

Appreciate the help in advance!