SoFi student loan refi rates just dropped. Save even more and pay off debt faster. View your rate.

SDIRA for Real Estate Explained

By Rebecca Lake · June 04, 2024 · 7 minute read

We’re here to help! First and foremost, SoFi Learn strives to be a beneficial resource to you as you navigate your financial journey. We develop content that covers a variety of financial topics. Sometimes, that content may include information about products, features, or services that SoFi does not provide. We aim to break down complicated concepts, loop you in on the latest trends, and keep you up-to-date on the stuff you can use to help get your money right.

SDIRA for Real Estate Explained

A self-directed IRA (SIDRA) allows you to save money for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis while enjoying access to a broader range of investments. Opening a self-directed IRA for real estate investing is an opportunity to diversify your portfolio with an alternative asset class while potentially generating higher returns.

Using a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate offers the added benefit of either tax-deferred growth or tax-free withdrawals in retirement, depending on whether it’s a traditional or Roth IRA. Before making a move, however, it’s important to know how they work. The IRS imposes self-directed IRA real estate rules that investors must follow to reap tax benefits.

What Is a Self-Directed IRA?

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) allow you to set aside money for retirement with built-in tax benefits. These retirement accounts come in two basic forms: traditional and Roth.

Traditional IRAs allow for tax-deductible contributions, while Roth IRAs let you make qualified distributions tax-free.

When you open a traditional or Roth IRA at a brokerage you might be able to invest in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or bonds. A self-directed IRA allows you to fund your retirement goals with alternative investments — including real estate.

You can do the same thing with a self-directed 401(k).

Self-directed IRAs have the same contribution limits as other IRAs. For 2024, you can contribute up to:

•   $7,000 if you’re under 50 years of age

•   $8,000 if you’re 50 or older

Contributions and withdrawals are subject to the same tax treatment as other traditional or Roth IRAs. The biggest difference between a self-directed IRA and other IRAs is that while a custodian holds your account, you manage your investments directly.

Boost your retirement contributions with a 1% match.

SoFi IRAs now get a 1% match on every dollar you deposit, up to the annual contribution limits. Open an account today and get started.


Only offers made via ACH are eligible for the match. ACATs, wires, and rollovers are not included.

💡 Quick Tip: Want to lower your taxable income? Start saving for retirement with an IRA account. With a traditional IRA, the money you save each year is tax deductible (and you don’t owe any taxes until you withdraw the funds, usually in retirement).

How Self-Directed IRAs for Real Estate Investing Work

Using a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate allows investors to invest in various funds or securities that, themselves, invest in property or real estate. Those securities may be real estate investment trusts (REITs), mutual funds, or ETFs focused. Investors with self-directed IRAs can, then, direct retirement account funds toward those securities.

Other types of real estate investments can include single-family homes, multi-family homes, apartment buildings, or commercial properties — actual, physical property. For investors who do want to buy actual property using an IRA, the process generally involves buying the property with cash (which may require them to liquidate other investments first), and then taking ownership, which would all transact through the IRA itself. It’s not necessarily easy and can be complicated, but that’s the gist of it.

With that in mind, the types of investments you can make within an IRA will depend on your goals.

For instance, if you’re interested in generating cash flow you might choose to purchase one or more rental properties using a self-directed IRA for real estate. If earning interest or dividends is the goal, then you might lean toward mortgage notes and REIT investing instead.

The most important thing to know is that if you use a retirement account to invest in real estate, there are some specific rules you need to know. For instance, the IRS says that you cannot:

•   Use your retirement account to purchase property you already own.

•   Use your retirement account to purchase property owned by anyone who is your spouse, family member, beneficiary, or fiduciary.

•   Purchase vacation homes or office space for yourself using retirement account funds.

•   Do work, including repairs or improvements, on properties you buy with your retirement account yourself.

•   Pay property expenses, such as maintenance or property management fees, from personal funds; you must use your self-directed IRA to do so.

•   Pocket any rental income, dividends, or interest generated by your property investments; all income must go to the IRA.

Violating any of these rules could cause you to lose your tax-advantaged status. Talking to a financial advisor can help you make sense of the rules.

Pros and Cons of Real Estate Investing Through an IRA

Using a self-directed IRA for real estate investing can be appealing if you’re ready to do more with your portfolio. Real estate offers diversification benefits as well as possible inflationary protection, as well as the potential for consistent passive income.

However, it’s important to weigh the potential downsides that go along with using a self-directed IRA to buy real estate.

Pros

Cons

•   Self-directed IRAs for real estate allow you to diversify outside the confines of traditional stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

•   You can establish a self-directed IRA as a traditional or Roth account, depending on the type of tax benefits you prefer.

•   Real estate returns can surpass those of stocks or bonds and earnings can grow tax-deferred or be withdrawn tax-free in retirement, in some cases.

•   A self-directed IRA allows you to choose which investments to make, based on your risk tolerance, goals, and timeline.

•   The responsibility for due diligence falls on your shoulders, which could put you at risk of making an ill-informed investment.

•   Failing to observe self-directed IRA rules could cost you any tax benefits you would otherwise enjoy with an IRA.

•   The real estate market can be unpredictable and investment returns are not guaranteed — they’re higher-risk investments, typically. Early withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties, and there may be higher associated fees.

•   Self-directed IRAs used for real estate investing are often a target of fraudulent activity, which could cause you to lose money on investments.

Using a self-directed IRA for real estate or any type of alternative investment may involve more risk because you’re in control of choosing and managing investments. For that reason, this type of account is better suited for experienced investors who are knowledgeable about investment properties, rather than beginners.

Real Estate IRAs vs Self-directed IRAs For Real Estate Investing

A real estate IRA is another way of referring to a self-directed IRA that’s used for real estate investment. The terms may be used interchangeably and they both serve the same purpose when describing what the IRA is used for.

Again, the main difference is how investments are selected and managed. When you open a traditional or Roth IRA at a brokerage, the custodian decides which range of investments to offer. With a self-directed IRA, you decide what to invest in, whether that means investing in real estate or a different type of alternative investment.

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that opening a brokerage account typically doesn’t come with any setup costs? Often, the only requirement to open a brokerage account — aside from providing personal details — is making an initial deposit.

Opening an IRA With SoFi

Opening a self-directed IRA is an option for many people, and the sooner you start saving for retirement, the more time your money has to grow. And, as discussed, a self-directed IRA allows you to save money for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis while enjoying access to a broader range of investments, including real estate.

Once again, using a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate offers the added benefit of tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. There are pros and cons, and rules to abide by, but these types of accounts are another option for investors.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Can you use a self-directed IRA for real estate?

You can use a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate-related or -focused securities and other types of alternative investments. Before opening a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate, it’s important to shop around to find the right custodian. It’s also wise to familiarize yourself with the IRS self-directed IRA real estate rules.

What are the disadvantages of holding real estate in an IRA?

The primary disadvantage of holding real estate in an IRA is that there are numerous rules you’ll need to be aware of to avoid losing your tax-advantaged status. Aside from that, real estate is less liquid than other assets which could make it difficult to exit an investment if you’d like to remove it from your IRA portfolio.

What are you not allowed to put into a self-directed IRA?

The IRS doesn’t allow you to hold collectibles in a self-directed IRA. Things you would not be able to hold in a self-directed IRA include fine art, antiques, certain precious metals, fine wines, or other types of alcohol, gems, and coins.


Photo credit: iStock/SrdjanPav

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

SOIN-Q224-1854329-V1

TLS 1.2 Encrypted
Equal Housing Lender