Real estate has been a popular investment over the last 50 years. Today, many investors are choosing the self-directed IRA as a vehicle for their real estate investments. There are a ton of resources on the tax benefits and compliance guidelines associated with this type of investment. However, some valuable information can get lost amidst those lengthy resources. I’ve highlighted some of this overlooked information in this handy do’s and don’ts guide.
This may seem like a no brainer, but the sheer amount of funds in IRAs make it a target for scammers. Also, the advantage of tax deferrals can turn out to be a curse. I’ve seen scammers use this as a lure to keep investment funds under their fraudulent activity for decades. A legit self-directed IRA custodian should be IRS approved and use safety protocols to secure your financial information. We set-up self-directed IRAs for real estate and other private investments, using an FDIC insured IRA trust. Our online platform uses Amazon’s trusted Web Services and our servers our audited regularly.
The obvious costs to watch out for are recurring fees. For the typical self-directed IRA, these include a transaction fee on each asset sale or purchase. Transactions on real estate assets can incur even higher transaction fees. There are also some lesser known costs. The IRS requires real estate in a self-directed IRA to be valuated annually. Getting this valuation can be costly. A common pain point investors cite in IRA real estate investing is lack of transparency around costs. We provide a clear, cost-effective method of real estate investing with your self-directed IRA.
Self-directed IRA real estate investments can go through custodial delays. Mailing forms and transferring funds can take time and are subject to external factors. These extra layers of administration mean less control for the self-directed IRA owner. We provide real-time access to your funds, giving you more control over your real estate investments.
Portfolio diversification is what attracts several investors to a self-directed IRA. Real estate, in particular, takes this advantage even further since there are so many different types of real estate. We’ve seen investors enjoy high yield returns on a variety of assets from raw land to condos. Mortgage notes and other lesser known real estate investments are often overlooked, but can also help with diversification.
A self-directed IRA for real estate is a good way to diversify your retirement portfolio. However, using a trusted and cost-effective service is important. Gaining checkbook control over your account and accessing a diverse variety of private investment options are equally important. Our online platform meets all these investor needs. We can help you set up a self-directed IRA for real estate and other high-yield investments. Contact us today at (425) 449-4554 for a consultation.
Scott Royal Smith is an asset protection attorney and long-time real estate investor. He's on a mission to help fellow investors free their time, protect their assets, and create lasting wealth.
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