Don’t do it.Self-directing your 401k, if possible, would give you some freedom to invest it and still enable it to grow tax free – the best of all worlds.

For me the end goal is to build a portfolio of passive income that will enable me to permanently depart the rat race and do what I love without feeling any heartburn.

Certainly with more time and risk either real estate or stocks can produce returns that are greater than average.Also, I think Dennis brings up a VERY legitimate fear.

Essentially, it's an iPhone app that will recognize the property that you are at (with location enabled setting) and provide the user access to a property profile, comps, tax info, and the usual title company online services.

I am looking to network with real estate professionals such as yourself to build a relationship that will enable me to help you sell houses to real estate investors.

The 401k holder would take this route to enable them to "make a living" from their incorporated RE business, versus having all profits flow back into the tax-sheltered account (which would be necessary if your 401k was directly engaging in the activity.)Steven Hamilton II or @bill walston - can you shed some light?

The government and many large high-tech companies have programs like this that will enable you to develop your focus.There was a thread here recently I wish I could find for you, where many successful RE investors volunteered their education and formal degrees.

Yes the 1st formula feels more legitimate :).

I'd say you need a minimum of 3 months of research, a couple of hours a night / day.You need to look at craigslist, your local MLS enabled real estate sites, zillow, trulia, city-data.

Your goal is simply to raise your credit score to enable you to get financing.You can finance a 2-4 unit property at 3.5% down FHA financing if you live in one of the units, minimum credit score typically 620.