@Nicholas Patrick,What you're missing is that you don't withdraw anything - no pre-mature distributions, no taxes, no penalties.You're INVESTING your 401(k) in something OTHER THAN Wall Street - better security, less volatility.Wall Street can MAYBE get you a 10% return.

Later I learnt she had applied similar technique a few times in the neighborhood.It took my property manager 2-3 months to schedule eviction crew and animal control to come out together.  

What techniques do you suggest to start breaking into this scene and start finding properties?

At least by doing this technique you can virtually guarantee loan approval, get a very low interest rate, and not have to put much money down while avoiding PMI.  

There is definitely a technique and system you need to have in place in order to successfully invest out of state. 

It doesn't take much (any) efforts to get on a distribution list.  

So, start networking, sending out letters to owners of distressed properties, driving for dollars, calling for rent signs/ads, probate, and any other off-market techniques that will get you where you want to be. 

Reason being, both a solo 401k and IRA are considered tax shelter vehicles--not capital assets- for making passive investments where the gains grow tax free until distributed--generally once the individual reaches retirement age. 

I am currently working on marketing techniques for lead generation and will be putting them to the test next week. 

We've done 1031 exchanges on some and member distributions on some.