I work with lots of full-time, retired early, millionaire real estate investors who snatch up SFH and MFH all over the country.

But I do believe returns are greater in less developed, less politically stable areas.  

Does this muddy the waters when retirement age comes?

My retired family member has been living in their mobile home since the late 80s in Arizona and part of the roof is caving in.

I have not quite decided where I will be living in retirement, but it can't hurt to have some US income as the dollar is usually strong.

Howey Co. about orange farmers who sold off part of their company to passive investors only to retire and leave them high and dry a few years later.

Once people rebound they will be looking for safer more stable alternatives and will be willing to accept lower returns in exchange for stability.

I am not sure about 403(b) but 401(k) and 457(b) have the option to let you borrow money out of your account up to $50k or half of your vested account (which ever is less).You usually have a 5 years repayment plan (or sometime 10 years for some very narrow loan purposes).If a loan is offered by your custodian, usually you can get a check in a few days and they may charge a small administrative fee.The interest rate is usually a little bit above prime.The interest paid is going back to your retirement account.Now on the negative side:To get the loan out, you will have to sell some of your retirement asset to get liquidity.During the time of the loan, your retirement account will grow slower as there would be less money in it.If you separate from your employer you will have to repay the balance of the loan immediately.

@Phillip HendersonIt does not sound as if a self-directed Solo 401(k) would fit your situation at the current time.The Solo 401(k) is an employer sponsored retirement plan.  

It's stable, and it does not react quickly to change.Bank financing is extraordinarily cheap, and the US Government does not intend to raise rates anytime soon.