A: Your 401(k) plan may, at your direction, invest in real estate if the investment provisions of the plan permit it. If the employer contributions to your plan have been made, and the plan permits self-directed investments, there will be rules as to the amount you may invest from that portion you are vested in.

You may also have an Individual (k), which limits participants to owners only, spouses, and partners. You may decide on the investments to be self-directed by you.