The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging each one of us in different ways— some harder than others.  Many have started working remotely, or wear masks whenever they leave the house.  Many have been laid off, furloughed, or need to take care of a loved one who may have contracted the virus, or maybe became sick themselves.  We have all been affected.

Believe me, after 16 years in the self-directed IRA industry, I’ve heard it all: the good, the bad, and the downright weird of self-directed IRA companies. I often talk to account holders and pick their brain on how they went about finding the right custodian. Usually they have a story about what went wrong and it's exactly why I remain committed to the promise of Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRA). I believe that everyone has the right to make their own investment decisions, and pay affordable rates, while receiving best-in-class service. I also believe passionately in the power of knowledge and making what seems complex simple.

Many of you have been humming along at your jobs, contributing to employer-sponsored retirement plans and happy with that. But not all plans are equal and not all employers match your contributions. Some plans are great: You contribute up to the max allowable to bulk up your retirement and create a better quality of life when you are ready to hang it up. Others may not have such a great retirement plan, but you don't know any better and you don't have an investment professional proposing other options.

Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) come with a lot of benefits, if you follow the rules and conduct due diligence on your investments. Real estate professionals are well-poised to take advantage of these benefits. Their real estate knowledge, experience, and access to good deals can be leveraged to reap the benefits of SDIRAs. But most aren’t taking advantage of the opportunity to build retirement wealth and grow their business at the same time.

After 16 years in the self-directed IRA industry, I’ve gained insight into some of the major complaints and pain points self-directed IRA investors deal with. As an investor myself, I’m empathetic to these challenges— especially as someone who works behind the scenes to create excellent customer experiences. With my experience working in all aspects of self-directed IRAs and alternative investments, from marketing to business development, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from savvy self-directed IRA investors of all levels. After much research and discussion with our clients as to why they’ve moved their IRA to IRAR Trust, here’s what I’ve found.

Social distancing, the stock market crash and many other factors brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis are impacting businesses around the country and many will not survive.  Many business owners already face this reality.

If you have changed jobs or retired and have left savings in a former employer's retirement plan (e.g. 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 (b)), you can move these funds to a self-directed IRA and invest in real estate without loss or penalty. Real estate investments in self-directed IRAs grow tax-deferred or tax-free until withdrawal. This means that when your property generates income or is sold, these profits are not taxed at the time because they go back to the IRA. It is not until you start taking distributions at retirement that the income will be taxed, depending on the type of plan you have.

Can you imagine— a future where your retirement is secured by physical property. A future where you know that no matter what the stock market looks like, there is a tangible asset you and your retirement can rely on.

That’s why investing in real estate is such a popular strategy. Unlike stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, it’s something you can touch, something you can feel, something you can depend on— no matter what happens. That’s the kind of security most people want in a retirement investment.

The potential impact the Coronavirus will have on retirement savings can trigger fear and anxiety among investors. However, we must remain calm, stay healthy, and make well-educated decisions. More importantly, we must keep a positive attitude and take precautions to get through this.

During the month of February, there’s a lot of focus on love, hearts, friendship, and— yes, self-directed IRAs. Besides googling what to buy your significant other, everyone’s researching how to open an account to get that tax break before April 15^th rolls around or how to transfer their account to save on high fees. As a marketer, I’m always curious what people are looking for during holidays and national events— they influence people in ways you wouldn’t expect. It’s interesting to see what influences search trends, but what does this have to do with self-directed IRAs and fees?