How to Self-Direct Your IRA: A Beginner’s Guide to Taking Control of Your Retirement
Have you ever wished you could invest your retirement money in something you truly understand—like real estate, startups, or even cryptocurrency? Good news: you can. It’s called a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA), and it’s a game-changer for investors who want more control and better diversification.
How to Self-Direct Your IRA and Take Control of Your Retirement
What Is a Self-Directed IRA?
A Self-Directed IRA is just like a regular IRA—Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE—but with one big difference: you choose the investments. Instead of being limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, you can invest in:
- Real estate
- Private lending
- Private equity and startups
- Cryptocurrency
- Precious metals
If you know these markets, why not use that knowledge to grow your retirement savings?
Why Haven’t You Heard of This Before?
Most big financial institutions don’t offer SDIRAs because they focus on selling traditional investments. Holding real estate or private assets is complex for them. That’s why specialized custodians like Directed IRA exist—to give you the freedom to invest in what you know.
Why Self-Direct?
- Tax Advantages: Gains grow tax-free (Roth) or tax-deferred (Traditional).
- Diversification: Move beyond Wall Street into assets you understand.
- Control: You decide where your money goes.
Imagine buying a rental property with your IRA. All rental income and appreciation flow back into your account—tax-free or tax-deferred. That’s powerful.
Popular SDIRA Investments
Recent trends show investors love:
- Single-Family Real Estate (28.8%)
- Crypto/Digital Assets (17.7%)
- Private Lending (17.7%)
- Small Business & Private Equity (10.9%)
How to Get Started
- Open Your Account: Choose your account type—IRA, Solo 401(k), Crypto IRA, HSA.
- Fund Your Account: Contribute, transfer, or roll over funds.
- Invest Your Account: Pick your investment, follow IRS rules, and let your custodian handle the paperwork.
Watch Out for Prohibited Transactions
Your IRA can’t transact with “disqualified persons” (you, your spouse, certain family members). For example, you can’t buy property you already own. Stick to IRS rules to keep your tax benefits intact.
Advanced Strategy: Checkbook IRA/LLC
Want even more control? An IRA-owned LLC lets you:
- Write checks directly for investments
- Move fast on deals
- Enjoy privacy and asset protection
Perfect for real estate investors and entrepreneurs.
Ready to Take Control?
Self-directing your IRA isn’t just about investing—it’s about building a retirement strategy that reflects your knowledge and goals. Join over 20,000 investors who’ve taken control with Directed IRA.
Start today:
- Open an Account – https://login.directedtrustco.com/registration/?ref=midatlantic
- Book a Call with your specialist, Matt Duffy – https://meetings.hubspot.com/matthew-duffy1
