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Self-direct your retirement funds into real estate with a real estate IRA
One of our first clients was a couple with $11,000 each
in their IRAs. They converted their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs so that all future
earnings would be tax-free. They partnered their IRAs and made their first purchase
of raw land for $18,000. They sold the property for $35,000 within four months and
realized a net profit of 74%, which will be totally tax free after they hold the
Roth IRA for at least five years and do not take distributions until after they
are 59 ½.*
Diversify Your Retirement Investments with a Real Estate IRA
Over time, real estate investments have afforded many people with the powerful combination
of appreciation and income. The purchase of real estate through a self-directed
retirement plan is a popular investor choice for this and other reasons.
A self-directed IRA or real estate IRA gives you the freedom to invest in non-traditional
assets, such as single-family and multi-unit homes, apartment buildings, co-ops,
condominiums, improved or unimproved land (leveraged or unleveraged), commercial
property, and more.
For over 25 years, we have been providing clients with education and support to
put their retirement plan to work for them through real estate IRAs.
Types of Property Your IRA Can Own
- Single family and multi-unit homes
- Apartment buildings
- Co-ops
- Condominiums
- Commercial property
- Improved or unimproved land (leveraged or unleveraged)
What if I don't have enough money?
If your IRA doesn't have enough money to pay for the entire purchase,
you can finance or leverage any income-producing property. The property is used
as the collateral for the loan. Because the property belongs to your IRA, the debt
must be repaid from assets within your IRA, whether it’s income from the property,
permissible contributions, or other assets in the IRA.
All real property is either purchased or sold for your benefit using your Qualified
Plan and/or IRA funds.
Purchasing and Selling Real Property
A real property purchase or sale is initiated by executing either a Buy or Sell
Direction Letter For Real Estate. Specific instructions for completion of these
direction letters are contained on the forms.
Financing the Purchase
You may finance or leverage any property you purchase for your plan. The property
is the collateral for the loan. As the property is an asset of the plan, repayment
of the underlying debt must come from contributions to or income from the property
or other assets in the plan. This type of loan is generally referred to as a non-recourse
loan because the IRA holder cannot extend credit to an IRA.
Ensuring the Tax-Deferred Status of the Account
Your entire transaction must flow through the tax-free or tax-deferred retirement
account. The escrow must be opened by the account, not in the name of the beneficial
owner. Vesting is always in the name of the account. The funds in your IRA may be
used as good faith deposits, down payments, or purchase money.
Additional Requirements
When purchased, these properties become assets of your plan or account. In addition:
- You may not personally own property that you intend to purchase with
plan funds and you must ensure that your intended purchase is not a prohibited transaction.
- Neither you, your spouse, nor your family members (other than siblings)
may have owned the property prior to its purchase by your plan.
- Neither you nor your family members (other than siblings) may live
in or lease the property while it's in your plan.
- Your business may not lease or be located in or on any part of the
property while it's in your plan.
- You may receive any property as a distribution from your plan as a
retirement benefit.
Managing the Property
Managing assets does not include property management conducted by the beneficial
owner of an IRA or a company owned more than 50% by the beneficial owner of real
or personal property in the IRA. Managing assets means managing your IRA portfolio.
Management fees may be paid out of your account. A 1099 will be issued by you representing
the IRA to you or other designated asset manager for the year in which such invoices
are paid. This includes all property rental or lease income, taxes, property management
and repairs. Invoices for expenses are paid on client approval by the IRA.
The record-keeping and administration expenses charged by Entrust may be paid either
directly from separate funds or through the Plan, and may be tax deductible.
Title and Escrow Companies
When title and /or escrow companies are involved, proper instructions
will be provided to them for all documents for your account. For ease of completion,
in many cases facsimile (FAX) transmission of information is acceptable, followed
by hard copy originals. Some of our benefits:
- Local service
- First-hand, expert knowledge. We tap into the wealth of experience
of our local experts to bring you information in an easy to understand format.
- Simple processes. Since we do this every day, we have simplified our
processes so that you can quickly and easily take care of your transactions.
Getting started is easy. Contact us today to establish a self-directed
IRA.
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