Yes, the IRS actually places very few limits on what you may buy with your IRA retirement funds. It is your IRA custodian who has put those limits on your retirement account. Truly self-directed IRAs allow you, the investor, to choose your investments.
Can I borrow funds to buy real estate in my IRA? Can my IRA get a mortgage?
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| IRAs can invest in all types of real estate! |
Do I need an LLC to purchase real estate with my IRA?
An LLC may be used to purchase real estate, but it is not required. Your IRA can purchase a property in the very same way as you would personally. This is the most common way real estate is purchased and in this situation the property is simply titled to your IRA.
Do I need to use a special broker and title company?
No special broker or title company are required—you can use the same ones you used to buy your current home or any other broker. However, using a broker that is familiar with this process may be helpful buy it is not required.
Can I repair the property myself?
You may not personally do any work on the property and neither can any other disqualified persons (IRA holder, his spouse, his parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, their spouses, certain fiduciaries and any entity owned or operated by a disqualified person. Work can be done by anyone else and you still have control over what you want them to do. For instance, you can’t personally paint the walls but you can tell the painter how you want the house painted.
Can I partner my IRA with my personal funds? Who else can I partner with?
If you cannot afford the investment property you are interested in you have many options. One option is to partner with yourself. For example your IRA can own 50% and you can personally own 50% (note: even if you personally own 99% of the property you are still prohibited from living in it or using the property.) You may also partner with someone else’s personal or IRA funds; the disqualified persons rule does not apply here so you may partner with your spouse, parent, child, friend, or whomever. There is no limit to how many people you can partner with. The percent of ownership cannot be changed once the investment is made.
Do I have to pay capital gains taxes if I sell the property?
Because the property is owned within a tax deferred (Traditional IRA) or tax free (ROTH IRA) plan no capital gains taxes need to be paid.
Can I take property as a distribution and then live in it?
Yes, after you reach 59.5 years of age you may choose to take the property as a distribution from your IRA. Once the property is 100 percent in your possession, you are free to use the property as you wish.
