I'm considering leaving my current employment to become a real estate agent to understand real estate. 

Would it be appropriate to contact this owner via email at their place of employment to gauge their interest in selling the property?

My tenants went through basically the same hoops of a Fannie Mae 1003 loan application and made object decisions closely to loan underwriting requirements, ratios and asset evaluations that shows the ability to pay and the ability to stay out of bankruptcy while remaining employed.

I believe every employer can vary a bit but I am able to take out a max of 50% of the value in my 401k or a max of $50,000.  

Be wary not to create an unintentional employer-employee relationship, which would create a WC exposure for your business. 

@Max James I did employ constructive criticism.

@Kory Clark,Yes - a lot of folks like us are still working W2 jobs, including me.If you have money to keep you going, it's easier to be not employed than if you're dealing with bankruptcy, creditors, collectors, etc.One of the key items most folks will miss here on BP is the business foundation of how to build a business to protect you from liability and manage your tax burdens.

@Kyle Doney, that's a decent estimate assuming that you don't have additional self-employment income or W-2 income that is already counting toward your Social Security tax base.

From my personal experience in the realm of tax compliance, I typically see TICs employed in matters involving estate planning or closely held (family) owned ventures.

Sorry if this seems obvious but I am new to the states and am still getting my head around your legal terms.I think you are saying, in essence, anyone who is self-employed, but does not have a company and I pay them more than $600 during the year, I would need to create a 1099 form for them ?