A self-directed IRA can form the foundation of anyone’s long-term retirement savings plan. With a self-directed IRA at a custodian such as Quest Trust Company you can invest in a far wider range of asset types and classes than you could with a traditional IRA.
But because some individuals use their self-directed IRAs to purchase investments such as real estate, it leads some to wonder whether having that particular type of account only makes sense for retirement savers who have high levels of savings. In short, the answer is “no.” Just about anyone can benefit from a self-directed IRA – let’s examine the reasons why.
Self-Directed IRAs are Flexible.
As noted above, self-directed IRAs provide you with the greatest number of options in terms of the kinds of investments you can make for retirement. Savers with relatively small account balances can still benefit from this flexibility. It’s true that you can use a self-directed IRA to make large-scale investments in real estate, such as apartment buildings or commercial developments.
But you can also make investments in much smaller properties, including those in the lower price ranges. Furthermore, you can use your funds within a self-directed IRA to gain exposure to the real estate market in other ways as well, including by issuing mortgages or loans to home buyers.
In addition, the fact that there are a wider range of investment options available in a self-directed IRA doesn’t mean that you can only make those types of investments. If your account balance is still relatively small and hasn’t yet grown to the point where you can comfortably make investments in real estate or private equity, you can still invest in stocks, mutual funds, and more traditional asset classes.
Self-Directed IRAs Can Grow With You
Over time, with maximum annual contributions and good investment decisions, the balance in your self-directed IRA will grow. This will open up new investment opportunities to you over time.
A Self-Directed IRA Can Focus Your Saving Strategy
In fact, having a self-directed IRA can give you a focal point for your retirement investing. Rather than allowing your retirement nest egg to be spread out over multiple IRAs, 401(k)s and other accounts, you can make your self-directed IRA the primary account in your retirement savings strategy. You can roll other accounts into your self-directed IRA, and prioritize making maximum annual contributions to it. This helps your account balance grow much more quickly.
Remember that your self-directed IRA exists to help you pay for a retirement that still may be several decades down the road. By its very nature, your account is always looking forward. You should have that same attitude when it comes to your investment strategy and choice of IRA custodian. Small account balances are still appropriate for a self-directed IRA, and they keep you the greatest flexibility as your account balance grows.