Using retirement funds as a down payment?

[Steve Rembuskos]

Hey Everyone,

Just learned that you can use your 401 k and convert it to a self directed retirement fund and use that towards real estate investments.  

What are the pros and cons of doing this and are there any gotchas along the way?

 Also heared you can use self funded 401k to avoid additional taxes but aren't allowed to hire employees?  

Are there better investments approaches to using retirement funds for real estate?  

Thak You