<prompt> Human: I am hoping to buy a home in the near future, and am looking for some tips on how to use some of my investments for a down payment.I have an old 401k from a previous employer that just sits there. It has grown, but I no longer feed it. My current employer does not offer a 401k, but they have a state retirementpension plan that pulls 7 of my pay.My state retirement plan is starting to get close to the amount I have in my 401k. I cant take anything out of it unless I terminate this employment, otherwise if I stay for over 10 years then I get vested in the pension plan once I retire.At this point, I am thinking my old 401k is better served as a down payment on a home for my family I have a daughter now and want a better home and location for her to grow up than it is sitting as a secondary retirement account that I may use a few decades from now.What are the recommended ways to go about using a 401k for a down payment?If I do it outright, I pay taxes and also suffer a 10 penalty, right?What about converting it to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA? If I understand, this would allow me to convert it, pay the taxes on it, but not face a penalty?Can anyone clarify the various options here and share some opinionsrecommendations?Thanks!  <response>: What are the recommended ways to go about using a 401k for a down payment?Not. If youre looking at using your retirement accounts, you arent in a position to buy a house. Retirement should be for retirement or youre homeless and havent eaten this week. 