If I was still an apt. broker there, I'd be looking to move (or retire on all the commissions I made from naive Californians these past 10 years)!

I recently retired from the nonprofit sector and providing affordable housing in Santa Clarita is a goal of mine.

. - Max out a retirement plan - look at 401k or SEP IRA.

We have low 7 figures to invest and would like to retire.

@Mark Weinstock browsed is cheaper for sure but just like anywhere you have to look at the area. just to give you guys a heads up. i found a realtor that was my coworker. i can trust her and i feel pretty good that she won't commission hunt on me. by pure luck her brother 20 years ago bought 2 SF and 2 quadplex and he retired a while back just living off the rent. he has been buying and selling other homes for flips. he has decades of experience. hoping he will throw some knowledge my way. there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

My mom is  a retired paralegal, and worked exclusively with real estate attorneys for 15 years (sweet deal, hey?)

I will be eligible to retire from my day job as a firefighter in 6-15 yrs depending on using previous military time.

You're welcome, Tori.All of my seller-financed houses and apt bldgs have been from tired landlords that want to retire and owned free and clear.  

An IRA is a retirement account, if you have enough money in a retirement account where you can invest in RE and if you plan to use ALL earnings for retirement purposes, it is perfectly fine. 

I have the ability to pull loans out against my retirement and I am currently awaiting one to be paid off so I can take out another, which should be around 20K.