Most people think retirement accounts are limited to Wall Street investments like stocks and bonds. But Mat Sorensen, CEO of Directed IRA, and the nation’s leading expert on Self-Directed IRAs, used his own retirement account to purchase a rental property—and proved there’s a smarter way to grow retirement wealth.
What You’ll Learn:
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How to use an IRA or 401(k) to purchase real estate
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The tax advantages of owning property in a retirement account
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Step-by-step instructions to open and fund a Self-Directed IRA
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What rules you must follow to stay compliant
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Whether real estate investing through a retirement account makes sense for you
What is a Self-Directed IRA?
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) is a retirement account that allows you to invest in alternative assets. Unlike traditional IRAs limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, SDIRAs provide the flexibility to invest in a variety of asset classes such as real estate, cryptocurrency, private funds, and more. To understand the basics, visit our SDIRA overview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Real Estate in an IRA
1. What Can You Invest in with a Self-Directed IRA?
With an SDIRA, you’re not limited to traditional stocks and mutual funds. Mat’s investment is just one example. Investors can also use an SDIRA to invest in:
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Rental properties
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Commercial real estate
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Private businesses and startups
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Cryptocurrency
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Precious metals
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Private loans and promissory notes
However, IRS rules prohibit investments in life insurance, collectibles, and S-corp stock.
2. Are There Taxes or Penalties for Moving Funds into an SDIRA?
No. Moving funds from a current IRA or 401(k) into a Self-Directed IRA is a tax-free rollover or transfer. There’s no taxable event—just a change in account custodian.
3. What Tax Advantages Did Mat Sorensen Benefit From?
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Mat paid zero taxes on the rental income generated by his property.
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When he sold the property for a $100,000 profit, there was no capital gains tax—all earnings went back into his IRA to reinvest.
This is a key advantage of using retirement accounts to build wealth tax-efficiently.
4. What Does It Cost to Open and Maintain a Self-Directed IRA?
Directed IRA, the company Mat leads, charges a flat annual account fee and low transaction fees. Unlike brokerage accounts that often take a percentage of assets under management, Directed IRA’s structure keeps costs predictable and affordable.
5. Are There Tax Pitfalls to Be Aware Of?
Yes, but they can often be managed with the right strategy:
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UBIT (Unrelated Business Income Tax): Applies if the IRA operates an active business.
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UDFI (Unrelated Debt-Financed Income): Applies if the property purchase involves debt.
Mat advises consulting a tax professional to navigate these scenarios effectively.
6. Should You Invest in Real Estate with Your IRA?
This approach is ideal for investors who:
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Have confidence in real estate as an investment
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Want more control over their retirement accounts
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Are comfortable managing investments directly
If you’re more comfortable with a passive, hands-off approach, traditional IRAs may be better suited.
7. How Did Mat Sorensen Actually Buy the Property?
Here’s exactly how Mat did it:
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Opened a Self-Directed IRA at Directed IRA.
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Transferred $200,000 from his brokerage IRA.
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Established an IRA-owned LLC, giving him checkbook control over real estate transactions.
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Purchased a three-bedroom, two-bath rental property in Indianapolis.
He later sold the property for $183,000, realizing a $100,000 gain—completely tax-free within his retirement account.
8. What Transactions Are Prohibited?
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Personal use of the property is not allowed.
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Transactions with disqualified persons (yourself, spouse, parents, children) are prohibited.
9. Can You Partner with Others Using IRA Funds?
Yes, as long as IRS rules are followed. For example, your IRA can co-invest with others through an LLC structure to purchase property.
10. How Can You Learn More?
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Read Mat Sorensen’s best-selling book, The Self-Directed IRA Handbook (over 50,000 copies sold).
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Watch webinars and attend live events to deepen your understanding.
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Book a call with the Directed IRA team at DirectedIRA.com/Appointment.
Final Thoughts
Mat’s real estate investment through his IRA is proof that retirement accounts don’t have to be tied to Wall Street. With the right education and tools, investors can unlock powerful tax advantages and build long-term wealth using assets they know and believe in.
For assistance getting started or managing your account, schedule a call with Directed IRA’s team of experts.