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Tips to Use Your IRA/401k to Invest in Real Estate

Can-You-Use-Your-401k-to-Invest-in-Real-Estate

Why are people leveraging their retirement to invest in real estate?

Because building a diverse portfolio of real estate properties has shown to secure a comfortable lifestyle for many.

However, it’s not a get-rich-quick ordeal. It takes extensive knowledge to know how to successfully use your IRA to invest in real estate. That’s why we’re here to help with the details!

Can You Use Your 401k to Invest in Real Estate?

Well, it’s complicated. 

You can use your 401k to invest in real estate if it’s a self-directed retirement account. If you have an employer sponsored 401k plan, the answer is usually no but there are a few ways around this. 

People who have an employer sponsored plan and want to invest in real estate may be able to invest in the Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund, an index fund compiled of commercial real estate, if their employer includes it in their offerings package. 

If you don’t have access to the Vanguard index fund, there are ways to access the money with little tax ramifications. For example, you can take loans against your 401 (k) or make transfers to access the funds.

Investing your 401k in real estate - how it works

How it Works

There are a few ways to use your retirement account to invest in real estate:

You can take out a loan. If your 401(k) permits loans, you can borrow up to $50,000 or half of your balance (whichever amount is lower). To keep this money tax-free, you will have to repay it within five years. There are exceptions if you use the money to fund your main residence.

You can make a hardship withdrawal. Unlike loans, hardship distributions reduce your savings. These distributions come with a 10% penalty and cannot be repaid. In addition to the limits on the amount you can withdraw, you also forfeit the right to make new contributions for at least six months.

You can roll your 401(k) to a Roth IRA. To avoid the 10% withdrawal penalty, you can roll over up to $10,000 to a Roth account. Unlike your 401(k) that’s pre-tax, Roth IRAs are post- tax. This means you’re responsible for paying income tax on the money transferred.

You can choose a self-directed 401(k). As an investor who chooses to invest in real estate for their retirement savings, this option allows you to buy both commercial and residential property, as well as land. The income generated from these investments will grow tax-free. There are certain restrictions to this option that need to be taken into consideration. To learn more details on a self-directed 401 (k), check out our recent webinar.

Using your retirement account to invest in real estate can be beneficial long-term. Doing so can even assist in your overall finances.

401(k) loans don’t require a credit check, and don’t show up as debt on your credit report. Remember, not all employers offer 401(k) loans as an option in their retirement plans. However, if this is a road you choose to take, remember that even if you are laid off or leave your current job, you are still required to pay the loan. If either of those happen, the loan must be repaid in full by the next tax filing date. 

Benefits of Investing in Real Estate via 401k/IRA

Many investors choose to invest in real estate with a self-directed 401(k) because it’s very similar to a regular real estate purchase. There are several benefits to investing in real estate via 401(k) – one of the biggest being you can diversify your portfolio. For example, when you choose to invest with a self-directed IRA, you can invest in residential and commercial properties, mortgage notes, offshore real estate, fix and flip opportunities, undeveloped land, and more.

Aside from adding diversity to your portfolio, you can also accumulate a monthly cash flow and secure your future. Investments that are held in a self-directed IRA are also protected from debt collectors. There’s no limit to the amount of properties you can invest in, so you can easily accumulate properties, and buy or sell them for profit.

Tips to Use Your IRA/401k to Invest in Real Estate

If you want to successfully use your IRA/401(k) to invest in real estate, we suggest working with a private lender. Private lenders have access to valuable resources that provide investors with quick responses to funding a secure deal. Traditional banks and other institutional lenders can take a lot of your time and effort.

Investors use Yieldi because they either don’t have the time, credit, or patience to deal with a traditional bank. Real estate investors can also leverage their money to complete multiple projects by closing quickly. We also offer flexibility. While private lenders still must follow the same rules as traditional lenders, they aren’t as strictly regulated, making them more flexible. This means that private lenders can accommodate your needs more.

When leveraging your retirement to invest in real estate don’t title the property in your name or live or visit a rental property owned by your IRA. The IRS prohibits benefiting personally from any asset owned by your 401 (k) or IRA. Additionally, no relatives can benefit from the asset either.

Additionally, you can’t pay or put any personal funds into the property. An investment with your IRA is a separate investment entity that can grow tax free. According to IRS rules and regulations, it’s the owner of the assets it holds, not you.

Get Started Investing Your IRA into Real Estate

If you’re ready to invest in your future, get started with Yieldi by filling out an application. We’ll pair you with your own client account manager who guides you every step of the way. You can fund your account by transferring funds from IRA accounts or do a direct rollover of funds from a previous retirement plan.  

If you would like to learn more about investing in real estate with your retirement accounts, watch our recent webinar!

Yieldi
Author: Yieldi