The whole point of making the money is because it gives us the time in life for the precious things that money won't buy. 

They would have you invest your own precious time and efforts into your deals rather than hiring it done.Probably the most important lesson you can learn at this age in your life is this: you'll never "save" your way to wealth, you MUST generate both profit and income.

That's precious.

On the other hand, if it is a former employer plan, you can open a self-directed solo 401k if you are self-employed, or a self-directed IRA and then transfer the 401k to one of these vehicles which can then be invested in real estate.Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business.  

Some very smart money people (billionaires) are buying precious metals like crazy, and that's not a good sign for what they think the value of the dollar will be.

Otherwise, you may spend large amounts of your precious time researching information that is readily available to those who have a RE license, and subsequently have "insiders' knowledge."

Wholesale properties are becoming more & more "precious" If you want to try the MO market, we still have it going on!!!

@Sam Ferguson - seems like a reasonable cash flow, but precious little room for Capital expenditure or future vacancy allowance. 

It gets their attention and saves you precious time on an eviction if needed.  

If you were paying for something say precious metals... often do a EFT to the company... some people do wires when buying a vehicle/etc vs showing up with cash.