Real estate as an investment option
After the 2008 global financial crisis, investors are increasingly looking for assets, away from stocks and bonds, that can help diversify their portfolios, act as an inflation hedge, and provide a long-term return for retirement. One such asset is real estate, and it may be best to hold it in a self-directed IRA account, which is run by a third-party administrator and allows the investor to choose what types of investments and asset classes to put in the account. A self-directed Roth IRA offers you the added advantage of compounding your income, gains, or savings tax-free and enables you to invest in real estate such as residential homes, condominiums, commercial properties, co-ops, or even land, all within your Roth IRA.
Things to consider and prepare Investing in the real estate in a self-directed IRA does require a different mindset because there are a number of rules you must follow, or the tax benefits can be voided. First, you need to find a bank or brokerage that has a qualified trustee or custodian for self-directed IRA and knows how to handle your real estate purchases, administers the account, and files the relevant documents with the IRS. You must also have enough money in your IRA account to buy the real estate investment from your IRA account. Some custodians may allow you to borrow to purchase the property as long as the loan is non-recourse, i.e. the house alone is used as the collateral. You cannot buy a property which you reside in or is a part of your business or buy a property you or your family members own a specified percentage – the IRS bans self-dealing. With a self-directed IRA, you also are the only one responsible for your investment decision and complying with all the regulations and rules for your investments.
Operational procedures
After your IRA custodian has purchased the property for you, the title will be in the name of your IRA custodian. The IRA account pays all the management fees, taxes, insurances, and property-related expenses and so the account needs to have sufficient cash. You could lose the tax benefits or incur penalties if you fund these expenses from your own account.
To have more control over your investments, you can create an LLC that is owned by the IRA to invest for your IRA. With this checkbook control, the IRA owner can write cheques to make purchases, pay property bills and marketing expenses, and have greater control over the assets.
Some advantages and disadvantages
Real estate can provide the owner with long-term investment value with the potential for appreciation. If the property is rented, it can provide the owner with rental income. Not only is real estate a hard asset compared to stocks and bonds but also an investment the investor understands well. The other big advantage is that if you purchase the property from your self-directed Roth IRA without a mortgage, all the rental income will be compounded tax-free. However, if you finance the property purchase with a mortgage, then the rental income becomes unrelated business taxable income, which will be taxed when earned. Another disadvantage is that you cannot claim depreciation when holding the property in the IRA. You will not be able to enjoy any advantage from your property investments until you retire.
REIT can be an easier option
If holding a physical property in your IRA is too much work for you, you can also consider investing in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), which is similar to a mutual fund but invests in the real estate market. REITs are required to pay out 90% of their profits through dividends. However, investors also need to understand any tax implications when holding REITS in the Roth IRA.
Conclusion
Real estate investment is a good investment diversifier and provides long-term value especially when held in a tax-free Roth IRA. As to which type of the IRA accounts or real estate investments suit the investors’ goals the best, the investors will be wise to consult their financial advisers, accountants, and tax professionals first.
After the 2008 global financial crisis, investors are increasingly looking for assets, away from stocks and bonds, that can help diversify their portfolios, act as an inflation hedge, and provide a long-term return for retirement. One such asset is real estate, and it may be best to hold it in a self-directed IRA account, which is run by a third-party administrator and allows the investor to choose what types of investments and asset classes to put in the account. A self-directed Roth IRA offers you the added advantage of compounding your income, gains, or savings tax-free and enables you to invest in real estate such as residential homes, condominiums, commercial properties, co-ops, or even land, all within your Roth IRA.
Things to consider and prepare Investing in the real estate in a self-directed IRA does require a different mindset because there are a number of rules you must follow, or the tax benefits can be voided. First, you need to find a bank or brokerage that has a qualified trustee or custodian for self-directed IRA and knows how to handle your real estate purchases, administers the account, and files the relevant documents with the IRS. You must also have enough money in your IRA account to buy the real estate investment from your IRA account. Some custodians may allow you to borrow to purchase the property as long as the loan is non-recourse, i.e. the house alone is used as the collateral. You cannot buy a property which you reside in or is a part of your business or buy a property you or your family members own a specified percentage – the IRS bans self-dealing. With a self-directed IRA, you also are the only one responsible for your investment decision and complying with all the regulations and rules for your investments.
Operational procedures
After your IRA custodian has purchased the property for you, the title will be in the name of your IRA custodian. The IRA account pays all the management fees, taxes, insurances, and property-related expenses and so the account needs to have sufficient cash. You could lose the tax benefits or incur penalties if you fund these expenses from your own account.
To have more control over your investments, you can create an LLC that is owned by the IRA to invest for your IRA. With this checkbook control, the IRA owner can write cheques to make purchases, pay property bills and marketing expenses, and have greater control over the assets.
Some advantages and disadvantages
Real estate can provide the owner with long-term investment value with the potential for appreciation. If the property is rented, it can provide the owner with rental income. Not only is real estate a hard asset compared to stocks and bonds but also an investment the investor understands well. The other big advantage is that if you purchase the property from your self-directed Roth IRA without a mortgage, all the rental income will be compounded tax-free. However, if you finance the property purchase with a mortgage, then the rental income becomes unrelated business taxable income, which will be taxed when earned. Another disadvantage is that you cannot claim depreciation when holding the property in the IRA. You will not be able to enjoy any advantage from your property investments until you retire.
REIT can be an easier option
If holding a physical property in your IRA is too much work for you, you can also consider investing in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), which is similar to a mutual fund but invests in the real estate market. REITs are required to pay out 90% of their profits through dividends. However, investors also need to understand any tax implications when holding REITS in the Roth IRA.
Conclusion
Real estate investment is a good investment diversifier and provides long-term value especially when held in a tax-free Roth IRA. As to which type of the IRA accounts or real estate investments suit the investors’ goals the best, the investors will be wise to consult their financial advisers, accountants, and tax professionals first.
