I would love to get input from others as to alternative strategies or maybe better areas for fourplexes.

Alternatively, you can start thinking of how the BRRRR strategy can work for you. 

@Sean HarrisAn alternative to taking a 401k distribution is taking a 401k loan.If the 401k you are referring to is your current employer 401k, you may able to take a loan from the plan.If a former employer 401k, you likely can't take a loan but may be able to rollover funds to a Solo 401k which does allow you take a 401k loan.If you are self-employed with no full-time employees and have funds in a former employer plan and/or non-Roth IRA, you can set up a Solo 401k, rollover the funds and then take a 401k participant loan.

Any Self-Directed IRA custodian will be able to set you, or whomever you are working with up with any type of IRA (Traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, & SEP) and that IRA will be able to invest in ‘alternative’ type of assets.

It’s good to have alternative exit strategies.

What are good alternatives or highest and best use for lots in urban areas that are former self service car washes?

They are not realtors or PMs - they offer a cost effective alternative for ad-hoc requests and investors who have an idea of what they are looking for. www.vetchecked.com 

Someone mentioned Associated, Be Careful, Associated screwed a lot of people when they needed a bunch of commercial off their books, around 2011 or so, the didnt renew, and didnt give adequate time for many of their customers to find alternate funding, I was a listing broker for their REO's at the time and even the Asset Managers said it was pretty crappy what they did. doesnt mean they will again, but be cautious.  

But you can just bypass DTI altogether and look at alternate sources.

The alternative is to lock in a 30 year fixed with today's super low rates