Of course you can. This is a little know area of investing. There is no secret that the stock market is volatile to say the least, leaving many wondering what to do with their money. There is a time-proven investment that has outperformed Wall Street for years - LAND. That's right. You can buy land and put it in your IRA or 401K. Here are some simple rules:
1. Your real estate IRA can buy and sell many kinds of real estate including land, condos, or rental, vacation and commercial properties. It's the self-directed real estate IRA that buys, owns and sells the property - not you personally. The custodian buys the property in the name of your self-directed real estate IRA.
2. The property may be rented, but the rental income is paid into your IRA, and not to you.
3. All of the expenses of operating and renting the property must flow in and out of your self-directed real estate IRA.
4. Your real estate IRA can buy a partial interest in a property. This is helpful if your IRA does not have enough money to purchase 100% of the property. It could be a partner and own a portion of the interest.
A few things you CANNOT do:
1. Your real estate IRA cannot purchase a property that you, your spouse or certain family members already own. Similarly, your real estate IRA cannot sell a property it owns to you, your spouse, or certain family members.
2. You, your spouse, or certain family members cannot have any personal use of the property owned by your real estate IRA.
3. Your IRA cannot lease the property to your business. Your business cannot occupy or use any part of the property.
When you call your broker or financial planner about real estate and your IRA and if they tell you "that it can't be done", find someone qualified to help you. This is an alternative - tangible, income-producing investments that stand the test of time.... LAND.
FURTHER RESOURCES:
Entrust - www.entrustadmin.com (800)392-9653