What a great time! Banks are no longer lending, no one wants to buy, and people are not paying their taxes. The Washington crowd is in disarray, the Federal Reserve is practically out of tricks, and the prospects of another recession, we are told, is a statistical possibility.
Certainly those thrust out of work or those underemployed are bearing a very painful burden during these difficult times. We do need policies and leadership in all branches of government to make the tough choices to rebuild our economy to one of sustained and steady growth.
But, to investors, the timing may never be more fortunate. Let’s take a few examples, including a personal illustration, to clearly see the opportunities that are available for those that can risk capital.
In July of last year, together with a partner, my retirement plan purchased 50% interest in a two bedroom, one bath 1200 sq ft home in Lake County. In a better economy, we could not have purchased this home, with a dock on a canal leading to Lake Dora for $27,000. A renter has signed a lease for $500/month, providing a gross return after property taxes and insurance of over 11%, even after we spend another $8,000 for a new roof. As the investment is in my retirement plan, all gains will grow tax free.
Recently, I was invited by Fox 35 news to do a piece for their newscast on unique assets that can be purchased with an IRA. Needless to say, the market had just dropped by 600 points and people were in a panic. Keith Landry came by our office and produced a piece explaining how tax liens can be a great way for an individual investor to diversify. Sandra Edmonds of CFRI often provides workshops on how this can be done, and we have many IRA holders that self-direct their IRA funds into these investments. According to a local expert, Doug Gale, President of REO-America, returns of 6-8% are what one can expect, but can fluctuate, according to the market and those showing up to bid on the on-line auctions.
The best news of all, however, is that self-directed IRA holders can lend their money, backed by real estate. This opens the powerful option of real estate investors utilizing private individual’s retirement accounts to fund their purchases.
This type of lending, at rates determined between the borrower and the IRA owner/lender, can provide a great return to the borrower’s IRA while providing much needed capital to the real estate investor. At our self-directed IRA administration company in Orlando, we have clients lending money at rates from 8-16% – all directed by the IRA holder. There is no better time to ask your friends and neighbors about their IRA and their desire to invest in your project or purchase. All lending can be backed by a first or second mortgage on the property.
With a self-directed IRA from our Orlando retirement plan administration company, you will start to see your options in a much different light. Invest in anything the IRS doesn’t prohibit, unrestricted by the limited choices available from your current administrator. From start-ups to LLCs to foreign currency, all can be available to you tax deferred, or in the case of a Roth IRA, tax free.
Just think – if the economy was booming, real estate prices would be double to triple today’s prices, banks would be lending regardless of risk, and everyone would be paying their property taxes. If you have a self-directed IRA, thank goodness it isn’t!
Glen Mather is President of NuView IRA, Inc., a leading self-directed IRA administrator in Orlando. He can be contacted at 407-367-3472 or gmather@nuviewira.com
