I have about $750k in a 401k I would like to move over to a self-directed ira. NOT a mutual fund company.?

Question

I would like to be able to buy LLC's, REIT's and first deeds of trust, as well as stocks and mutual funds from just ONE self-directed ira.
I've done quite well for myself so I don't want an investment advisor or a lot of hand-holding. I WOULD like a high interest on the cash while it sits between investments for a few days, and no or very low fees. Please, please be specific about the companies you recommend. Vague advice is never appreciated.

Answer 1

I have my money with Equity Trust Company (www.trustetc.com) who have been in the self-directed IRA business for a LONG time. The cash sits and earns 0.8%, and the fees are listed on their website - no guessing games.

For that amount of money they will assign someone who you can call directly with questions, but you won't be force-fed any handholding.

Consider that in addition to the LLCs, REITs, etc., that you mention, you can also purchase ground leases, raw land, commercial property, residential property, etc. with your SDIRA.

I'm not sure why the backlash from a previous answerer commenting on this being silly. It is GENIUS and it's too bad it is so misunderstood. REITs and LLCs are a small sliver of what you can deal with and likely not the most profitable.

I think the notes/deeds of trust financed through SDIRAs is a POWERFUL option b/c public financing rates have risen so high, with too many hoops to jump through and so many junk fees. A private investor can loan this money tax-deferred (or tax-free!) at a competitive rate and still make good money - plus if you structure the note(s) properly you can broker that paper from within your IRA and go do it all over again!

The sky's the limit. Good luck!

Answer 2

Economies move in cycles. The 1980's had huge REIT / LLC businesses and scams. In the mid 1990's however, tax laws changed taking away the benefits of REIT's / LLC's ... which is the tax benefits from gains and losses. Studying this era, we saw that interest rates were low and home prices were high, and as inflation hit, well, people lost equity, but made money through interest. The REIT's and LLC's then allowed people to deduct the losses. However, many cheated the system, and the Govt. decided to only allow losses to be taken from profits on other REIT's & LLC's.

When a person uses "Tax Sheltered $$$" (Roth - or 401(k)) and puts it into "Tax - Sheltered" products like REIT's / LLC's well, they're defeating the purpose of the "Tax Shelter" (suckers). It sounds like you've only invested into your 401(k) and have no free spending money for what you see to be desirable. If you must do the silly thing of investing Tax-Sheltered money into a Tax-Sheltered Investment, then at least diversify and only use 30% of your 401(k) money into your desire.

I worked at a company who had a department for Self-Directed IRA's (was Resources Trust Company - now First Trust / FISERV). From that departments institution clients (who our department stole 80% of their business) the only one I remember as being intelligent and not WASTING my time was a company named Investors Capital. I never invested my own money from them, but as a "Transfer Agent" I collected lots of money from them, and they had the least friction, and fuss on releasing the money ... most other REIT's / LLC's bookkeepers have goofy / impossible rules (like you can move the money on the third moon of the full tide - JOKING) ... and I remember this company was decent at least in record keeping.

You should also talk to your accountant on how this changes your taxes ... 3/4 of a million ain't much, but still worth educating yourself for protection.

Answer 3

www.sharebuilder.com charges $25 a year, but because their cash listing (they divide it up into investments and cash) is really a mutual fund, if you put $1,500 into "cash" and leave it there, the interest generated will probably cover the $25 a year charge.