However, you can also pay yourself a reasonable salary, and take the remaining amount as dividends or passive income, thereby avoiding the 15.3% self-employment tax. 

However from my understanding being self employed can cause some obstacles in order to be approved for a home loan.

Interesting that wage growth has been minimal, even as employment has dropped so low, almost to “full employment” as defined by the Fed – wherever that truly is..

Just so people know, one cannot buy RE directly with your 401(K) while you are working there, at your employment.  

I would just invest the minimum in order to get the maximum match from your employer and invest the rest into REI.Quit convincing your friends to get involved, less properties for the rest of us!!!

attending school or some sort of training institute is considered "employment" so long as your job is in the relevant field and you've past the probation period.    

It seems like that's one way to go.. but since real estate is so filled with go-getters and entrepreneurial types, I wonder what other incentive strategies people have employed and how effective they've been. 

Diversification in employment also is important.

I am self employed with carpet cleaning business and looking to shift my focus into real estate.

It's a guaranteed rent program meaning as a property owner, you get paid for 100% occupancy even if there are vacancies.Hopefully, this link will get you started: Veterans Housing & Employment AssistanceAlso, lookup a fellow named Christopher LaFayelle on Facebook or just Google him.