Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide
You can hold real estate inside a retirement account - but the rules are strict and the mistakes are expensive. Here's the primer.
Tax and Wealth
Direct answer
A self-directed IRA (SDIRA) can own real estate, which appeals to Washington investors with large retirement balances. The tax-advantaged growth is real - and so are the prohibited-transaction rules that can blow up the account.
Work through the decision in order
How it works
a specialized custodian holds title inside the IRA; income/gains grow tax-deferred (or tax-free in a Roth).
The strict rules
no self-dealing (you/certain family can't use or benefit); all expenses from the IRA; all income back to it; UBIT/UDFI may apply if leveraged.
Trade-offs
tax-advantaged, but you lose depreciation's personal benefit - a different play than the W-2 offset.
Your next move
Use the framework before the property creates urgency.
Bring the actual address, timing, financing assumptions, and open questions into a buyer strategy call before urgency takes over.
Decision guide · private in this browser
Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide
Work through the decision without a form. Your selections stay in this browser. Bring the live facts into a buyer strategy call when you are ready.
Questions about Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide
Clear answers first. If one question changes the deal, bring it into the review before you move money.
Q1What does the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide help me decide?+
An SDIRA suits retirement-account capital seeking tax-advantaged real estate - but no personal use, and it forgoes the W-2-offset depreciation angle. Match the guide to the goal, with a specialist custodian.
Q2Does the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide apply in Bellevue, Kirkland, and Seattle?+
Yes. The decision framework is shared across all three markets. Address-specific pricing, rules, schools, taxes, insurance, and property facts still need live verification.
Q3What information should I gather before using the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide?+
Start with the live address, your timing, available cash, financing assumptions, and any property documents tied to the decision. Use only the inputs that apply to your situation.
Q4How current is the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide?+
This guide was reviewed on July 31, 2026. Confirm live rates, rules, availability, costs, and property facts before you act.
Q5Is the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide a substitute for professional advice?+
No. It is educational planning material, not a loan approval, inspection conclusion, appraisal, legal opinion, or tax conclusion.
Q6When should I bring the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide result into a Real Estate Review?+
Bring it in when the result changes what you would buy, sell, repair, finance, or postpone. The review can pressure-test the live property and household plan.
Q7Can I use the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide before speaking with a lender or inspector?+
Yes. Use it to organize questions first, then verify financing with a lender and condition findings with the appropriate property professionals.
Q8What is the next step after using the Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Guide?+
Mark the points that affect your decision, collect the missing facts, and book a Real Estate Review if you want to apply the framework to a specific property or move.
Make the next property decision with the facts in front of you.
Bring the address, timing, financing plan, and open questions. We will identify what to verify before you tour or write an offer.
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Next steps
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