How a Checkbook IRA Gives Investors Faster Access to Funds
A Checkbook IRA offers self-directed investors the opportunity to make multiple investments while maintaining complete control of their assets. In addition to quick investment turnaround, convenient checkbook control, and the many associated legal and financial benefits, a Checkbook IRA also gives investors immediate access to funds within their IRA when they’re ready to…
Can You Still Use a Financial Advisor if You Own a Self-Directed IRA?
When it comes to understanding self-directed IRA pros and cons, a specific industry, or investment opportunity, financial advisors have a wealth of knowledge from in-depth training and hands-on experience. For a self-directed investor, this expertise and experience can be a huge asset. But when should you reach out to your investment advisor and…
What Happens if a Borrower Defaults on a Promissory Note?
When a self-directed IRA invests in a promissory note, there are a variety of associated risks uncommon to other types of investments. By planning ahead, you can minimize your overall risk of investing in promissory notes and ensure the health and longevity of your self-directed IRA. Not sure if a promissory note is…
What are Self-Directed IRA Fees?
If you’ve read our guide, How to Make the Most of Your Self-Directed Investment: A Guide for New Investors, you know that self-directed IRAs offer investors alternative investment options for your retirement accounts. Whether you choose to roll over funds from your 401(k) or traditional IRA, a self-directed account can allow you to make…
Investing With a Self-Directed Roth IRA
A Roth IRA is a retirement savings account that offers a wider range of benefits than a traditional IRA. For example, you can continue contributing to a Roth IRA well into your retirement years, whereas with a traditional IRA you must be under age 70 ½ to contribute to the account. In addition,…
Storing Precious Metals Owned by Your Self-Directed IRA
In an effort to lower costs and add convenience many investors consider storing precious metals owned by a self-directed IRA at home. There can be real consequences for not following the rules surrounding precious metal storage, and understanding the risks is crucial to remaining compliant. The Risk of Home Storage for IRA-Owned Precious…
What Every Financial Advisor Should Know About Self-Directed Real Estate Investing
Things are looking up for investors; the stock market is back to record levels amid strong economic data. Yet the events of 2008 are still fresh for many retirement investors. Appetite is there for ways to invest that aren’t directly tied to the stock market and its volatility. Enter the self-directed IRA. Your…
UBIT Exemptions
Most IRA owners don’t need to worry about UBIT or UBTI, or try to figure out the difference between the two. Those are tax concerns, and when you’re invested in traditional securities like stocks and mutual funds, your investment earnings are generally tax-free. Why care about UBIT? If you own a Self-Directed IRA,…
SIMPLE IRA Basics
What is a SIMPLE IRA? A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA is a retirement plan option that allows small business owners to save for retirement for themselves and their employees. Any small business with fewer than 100 employees, including self-employed individuals, can open a SIMPLE IRA. Both employers and employees…
What Financial Advisors Should Know About Self-Directed Investments
Have your clients been asking about Self-Directed investments? Self-Directed IRA accounts are gaining popularity and being a part of the conversation takes some research. Self-Directed IRAs are attractive for several reasons. They provide capital resources often not found outside of the IRA, they can create tax deferred or tax free profits, and they…