Eeesh. On one hand I say go for it. Nothing worth having ever came without risk. On the other hand....
I have a "Side Business" with my brother. We generally work for 2 young guys who have become tired of their Wall St jobs and want to be realestate moguls. That fantasy quickly ended and they are now landlords. Their first 2 homes have been on the market for over a year. There is a right way to do this but I don't think cashing in on your retirement in this market is it.