If you don't pay your mortgage, then you lose control.

Just to recap, it sounds like most of you advise against using a 401K (Solo or Self Directed) to purchase real estate because you lose some of the tax benefits that are already built into Real Estate.

Have been a Realtor for several years now and would like to venture on to the investing world for myself.

I'm watching this much talked about investor funded Heritage State Park development and thinking "someone is about to lose a cool million."

You'd be better off finding a good short sale investor and partnering with them as a joint venture.

No call, they lose.

Here is a recent one I found.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/81783-debate-on-a-realtor-licenseI am a licensed agent, got mine when I was sick of waiting on agents and losing deals.

Also if I buy in Texas and I leave eventually I'll have to hire a management company to handle everything because of lack of connections down here-won't I lose a ton of NOI being "hands off" ?

You can lose your shirt in litigation if you don’t.

Should you check out earlier (we'll hope not), then you will lose alot of money (I understand that there are spousal benefit and period-certain options, but electing those options cuts your mthly payment, so the point is valid).