Will the expected appreciation give you the return on the existing equity that is attractive to you or can you deploy that $510K somewhere else and get a better return?

I can say after trying multi level marketing, starting an automobile brokerage company, developing and deploying day trade systems, the easiest way to design the ideal life is through real estate.   

I had really gotten into trading on my second deployment but by then I was looking to move on from my military career.

Most of my cash is deployed, but I'm building up some dry powder for MF opportunities in 2021.

Will you get deployed and see crazy stuff..maybe, really depends on what your job is.

Even if you then turn around and liquidate the 401(k), paying the 10% penalty and taxes, it's probably advantageous to take the match at the very least.The trap for those pursuing super early financial freedom, like before 40 years of age, is that the money in retirement accounts is a bit harder to deploy opportunistically, and people do not intend to use that money as part of their plan for early financial freedom.

It’s good but you get more deployable equity and your % return of this goes down.

That way it's accessible and ready to deploy when you're ready.

People are moving into the area pretty quickly as they realize they have been priced out of the Seattle market, plus there are always military personal moving in and out, going on deployment, etc. 

I am also a great believer in investing when there is distress and deploying capital when you can.If you are looking for yield in the short run, Manhattan may not be for you.