If you're self-employed, a contractor, or rocking the 1099 life—first off, props to you. You’ve taken control of your income, your time, and your freedom. But here’s a question most people overlook:

Are you also in control of your retirement?

If your retirement funds are sitting in a traditional IRA or a 401(k) from a past job, limited to stocks and mutual funds, it might be time to upgrade your strategy. Let’s talk about a powerful (and often underrated) tool: the Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)—and how you can use it to invest in real estate.

Wait—What’s a SDIRA Again?

Good question. A Self-Directed IRA works just like a traditional or Roth IRA—with all the tax perks—but with one major difference:

👉 You choose what you invest in.

Instead of being stuck in the stock market, you can invest in alternative assets like:

• Multifamily apartment buildings

• Self-storage facilities

• Mobile home parks

Basically, if you know real estate is your wealth-building vehicle (like we do), this is your ticket to use retirement money to invest in it.

Why This Is a Game-Changer for 1099 Earners

When you work for yourself, retirement doesn’t come with a manual. There’s no company 401(k) match or pension waiting for you. You’ve got to build it—and build it smart.

Using your SDIRA to invest in cash-flowing real estate gives you:

✅ Investment diversification 

✅ Tax-deferred or tax-free growth

✅ Protection from market volatility

✅ A tangible asset backing your future

So… How Does It Actually Work?

Let’s break it down in simple terms:

1. You roll over funds from an existing IRA or old 401(k) into an SDIRA (easy process we can refer you to a couple of trusted custodians).

2. You find an investment opportunity—like one of our investment deals.

3. Your SDIRA becomes an investor in that deal (not you personally).

4. All profits, distributions, and returns go right back into your SDIRA—growing tax-advantaged.

“But Can I Invest in My Own Property?”

We get this a lot. The answer: not directly. The IRS has strict rules around “self-dealing.” But you can invest passively in projects you don’t personally control—like the syndications or investment funds  we offer.

So no, you can’t buy a beach house for yourself with your SDIRA (sorry 😅), but you can own a piece of a 200-unit apartment complex and how your retirement that way. 

Is This Complicated?

Not at all. We’ve walked plenty of investors through it. You’ll need a custodian who specializes in SDIRAs (we can refer you to some good ones), and from there, we help handle the rest (takes a couple of weeks). 

Once you’re set up, it’s just a matter of choosing the right investment. That’s where we come in.

Why Now?

The economy’s shifting. Interest rates are changing. Stock market feels like a roller coaster (again). But one thing remains true: people need places to live, places to store their loved belongings and to park their boats!

Real estate has proven to be one of the most resilient asset classes—and as demand for rental housing grows, so does the opportunity for smart investors to build wealth.

If you’re curious about how to start using your SDIRA in real estate—we’d love to connect.

This could be the move that transforms your retirement.

Let’s make your money work as hard as you do.

Want to learn more about leveraging your 401(k) for real estate? Check out our free booklet here: 401(k) Booklet

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