If you are in the 30% tax bracket and put in $10,000 of your own funds and you company matches that, you have effectively earned roughly $13,000 right off the top, as opposed to you being able to put $7,000 after-tax direct into your own bank account outside of the IRA.Even if the investment options of the employer plan are not great, as a savings vehicle and means to squirrel away some good tax-sheltered savings, it can be a powerful tool.If the company is contributing to an IRA (SEP or SIMPLE), you can ask to house your account in a self-directed IRA that you could then invest into things like real estate, notes, and the like. 

I feel kind of 'weird' about pursuing opportunities in both areas which could divide our focus and could mean that if we find a deal in one market, our agent in the other market would not get the benefits.- Is there any etiquette here or am I being overly sensitive?

Focus on buying things.

I am partnered with a divorce lending professional who has been focusing on helping those going through a divorce for almost a decade now. 

We want to focus on Airbnb, long term rentals, and just a nice place to live/start a family.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Ah yes, that magical time of year when I get to teach my kids about America and the power of Capitalism!