Most people are concerned about self-directed IRA rules. Nobody wants to make a mistake. Errors can be costly; particularly when it comes to self-directed IRAs. If you have questions, you should find the following information interesting and useful.
There are fewer self-directed IRA rules than you might think, at least, when it comes to government regulations. A brokerage may have additional rules or policies.
The basic issue of Congressional regulations regarding self-directed IRAs is quite simple. They want you to make sensible, low-risk investments, so the money is there when you need it most.
Other self-directed IRA rules and laws prevent you from investing in items that cannot be quickly and easily liquidated. Therefore, you cannot invest in antiques or collectibles. It takes too long to find a buyer and too difficult to assign an exact value.
Stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and certificates of deposit are considered low-risk, sensitive investments, but there are other options. The brokerage you currently use may not offer these, but some of the options (real estate investments, for example) could help you grow your retirement wealth faster than more conventional options.
Most real estate can be liquidated fairly quickly, if the need arises. Property value is easy to assess. There are only a few additional self-directed IRA rules that apply to real estate.
Purchases should be made for investment purposes only. You or your family members cannot live in a house transferred to your IRA. Any maintenance or repair costs must be paid for. And all income, whether rental or resale, should go back to the account.
The best real estate deals are cash deals. You may be able to obtain a mortgage in the name of the IRA trustee, but the costs could exceed the earnings, especially if you intend to keep the property for an extended period of time.
Seasoned real estate investors are using the funds in their self-directed IRAs to make purchases for two main reasons. They increase their profits by reducing their taxes. And they increase your retirement wealth faster, because real estate deals can be very profitable, if you can find the right ones.
An Equity Trust client earned $ 93,500 from his IRA in less than two years. If you have the time and knowledge, you can do the same. Or you can get help from experienced investors who have the time and knowledge. There are several who are willing to do most of the work for you.
Unfortunately, most brokers who offer self-directed IRAs do not offer their clients the option of investing in real estate. They stick to the more traditional investments. One company, Equity Trust, offers its clients the ability to invest in real estate or anything else that conforms to the rules and guidelines of a self-directed IRA. If you are using a different brokerage, you may want to consider switching.
