Traditionally, people have used their IRAs to purchase stocks, mutual funds, or CDs. Very few realize that IRS code has allowed real estate purchases to anyone since 1974.

Almost all types of strategies can be purchased with a self-directed IRA. This includes all types of real estate, from commercial buildings to rental properties, vacant land to multi-family units, apartment buildings to condos.

The only drawback to self-directed IRA investing is that you can’t personally live in or in any way benefit from the use of your IRA’s properties. Furthermore, you’ll need to hire a trustee or custodian to hold your property, and this person or company will need to administer the account and file documents with the IRS. In addition, any money made by the property is returned to the IRA account.

It’s not all bad though, as the main benefit of purchasing real estate with a self-directed IRA is that all of the appreciation (capital gains) and income generated from the properties flow back into the IRA tax-free for you to use at retirement age!