Real Estate

Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago?

September 19, 2012

Article by Glen Mather, President & CEO, NuView IRA, Inc:

Thirty two years ago, this question was asked during the 1980 presidential debates, and one that is often  reprised when the incumbent administration is faltering.  But I couldn’t help but translate it to, “ is your dream of retirement more secure today than it was four years ago”?

Politics aside, the economic challenges of investing wisely has undergone significant shifts in the past four years.  Stocks, as represented by the S&P 500, are at the same point now as they were in 2008.  Gold has more than doubled, while the average sales price of a new home has dropped by 20%, and of course existing home sales prices have dropped much more.  The US prime rate has remained unchanged at 3.25% with the target rate of fed funds at 0-.25%.  Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve continues to artificially drive rates down by buying debt and increasing the inevitability of future inflation.

It’s difficult to make sense of it all, yet the inevitability of being one more day closer to retirement is a drumbeat that none of us can ignore.  The professional money managers are moving to alternative investments as a way of increasing diversity and yield.  According to Research Magazine (Oct 2011), 78% of all advisors are now using alternative investments in their clients’ portfolios.  Morningstar also reported that in the ten year period from 2002 through 2011, alternatives outpaced stocks by over a three to one margin.

The attraction of a NuView self-directed IRA permits the alternate investor the broadest range of choices, even beyond the Wall Street offerings of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS), hedge funds, and oil leases.  Our clients take advantage of bank lending constraints to gain yields of 6-15% or more on their self-directed loans.  Instead of a stock-based real estate investment, they  may prefer buying a duplex and having the rent accrue tax-free to their IRA.  Others find entrepreneurs  and help fund start-ups, gaining future profit potential.

No matter whether you watch Fox News, MSNBC, CNN or avoid the news altogether, no one will care more about your retirement than you.  Get involved, make good choices, and your retirement dream will be much better four years from now.

To take control of your retirement future, contact NuView IRA at (407) 367-3472. With a self-directed IRA from our Florida self-directed IRA administration company, you’ll have the opportunity to invest in many ways you may have never thought possible!

Retiring – Then Living with your Kids: The New Reality

My household situation is not as rare as it may seem.  My wonderful 91 year-old mother lives with me,  a very patient daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren.  While God has blessed her with great health and vitality, I’m not sure that living with her son would have been her dream several decades ago when she was in the workforce.

According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, there are over 10 million adult children taking care of their aging parents.  Still others are contributing to assisted living care, which averages about $3,500 per month.

While having my mother with us is an incredible blessing, many senior parents would choose, if financially able, to be on their own.  Indeed, the financial fall-out of the past five years has robbed many seniors of a healthy retirement nest egg and resulted in very limited choices for the years that were to have been “golden”.

At NuView IRA, our clients think every day about their view of retirement and what choices they need to make to achieve their dream of retirement.  Unlike others, they not only think and dream, they act.  We have clients that lend their IRA to investors secured by recorded mortgages, with note rates ranging from 6-15% and more.  These types of investments are particularly attractive to seniors who may need to live on the interest earned.

Through joint ventures, a rollover IRA holder can partner with a real-estate rehabber to purchase a wholesale property, fix it up, and put a renter in the home, with all the net proceeds due to the IRA deposited tax-free.

Fact is, the choices with a self-directed IRA are considerable, and the potential returns may be far more attractive than what is offered by the stock market.  So do your homework, make good choices, and plan for a retirement that will allow plenty of visits to your relatives – but not force you to move in!

How Will You Spend Your Retirement?

September 12, 2012

Thanks to a seating assignment onboard the Monarch of the Seas on a cruise to the Bahamas, I was recently able to meet a delightful couple with whom we shared breakfast.  When I inquired about what they do when they weren’t cruising, they said they were retired (partially).   Come to find out, they live in the Villages, a large retirement community in Central Florida, and have purchased rental real estate both inside and outside their IRA.

Mary finds tenants, collects rent checks, and oversees the maintenance of the five houses they own.  She requests expenses to be paid from her IRA for those homes held in a self-directed IRA account.  John is nearing Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age from his IRA, which will occur when he turns 70.5.  They are not concerned, as the rental properties they have purchased in their IRA are providing cash flows of 8-10%.

Because they have good tenants and friends who assist them in looking after the properties, they spend over 100 days per year on cruises.  Evidently Mary scours the internet looking for last minute deals on cruise lines and usually pays less than half-price for their travels.  They use the rental income from their non-IRA owned rentals to help fund their time on the water while amassing their IRA rental funds for future retirement needs.

After a good breakfast with Mary and John, it dawned on me that most of our self-directed clients are much like them – wanting to stay in control.  Whether on the seas or simply walking on the beach, NuView IRA is ready to help you achieve your retirement dreams on your own terms. Give our Florida self-directed IRA administration company a call today at 877-259-3256 to discover your retirement options.

The Power of IRAs

August 29, 2012

According to the Investment Company Institute, there are 46 Million US households with IRAs. What is remarkable is the difference in those households that have an IRA, and those that do not.

Assets of an IRA household were 8 times larger than those households that did not have an IRA. Eight times! While the IRA may not be the holder of all the wealth, there is little doubt that the discipline involved in saving and contributing to an IRA is likely illustrated by other choices made by the members of the IRA household.

Your ability to achieve your retirement dream is dependent on two variables: saving and contributing consistently, and investing wisely. For many, investing wisely is the most difficult challenge. The super investor Warren Buffet is often quoted as saying, “Never invest in a business you cannot understand.” Most of us that are invested in mutual funds and selected stocks seldom have any idea on what our investment dollars are doing.

If you are a bit frustrated with not being in charge, the answer may be to self-direct your IRA. We have thousands of clients who feel much more confident in their own choices that those brokered by others. Private placements, real estate, tax liens, and joint ventures are just some of the ways you can seize control of your retirement plan through NuView IRA, while earning tax deferred or tax free profits.

If you would like to learn more about your investment options with a self-directed IRA, contact our Florida self-directed IRA administration company by calling 407-367-3472.

Diversify!

August 13, 2012

Diversification is a strategy that should be deployed by anyone who cannot accurately predict the future – which is just about everyone. While the stock market provides an ability to spread investment risks over geography, company size, market sectors, and other categories, the fact remains that public exchanges cannot provide full diversification.

You cannot own titled real estate purchased from your broker in your IRA – instead, he will likely offer a choice of publically traded Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS). You cannot own gold bullion in your IRA if you rely on the stock market – rather, the market will proffer equity interests in mining companies instead. Most business startups have no access to public markets at all, with investors unaware of the potential attractive returns to the early equity participants.

Without a self-directed IRA from our Florida self-directed IRA administration company, it is unlikely that full diversification can be achieved in a retirement account. Whether you are looking for cash flow from property rentals, private lending and investing in tax liens, or instead investing for future appreciation in precious metals, limited partnerships or new business ventures, the choice is yours with a self-directed IRA. Call us at 407-367-3472 to learn more!

True diversification lies with understanding you choices, taking time to know the market, and executing your purchases with confidence, then staying involved in your investments.

Self-Directed IRAs

August 3, 2012

Last week, the Romney team visited the Villages, a sprawling community of over 100,000 residents over the age of 55, only about an hour from the NuView headquarters in Orlando. What does this group have in common? And why do politicians consider this a critical stop to deliver their stump speech? These residents have an obsession with protecting their social security, Medicare, and retirement plans. Politicians use this group as a surrogate to prove their policies are “senior-friendly”. I’m told that until you are retired, you cannot understand the helplessness of relying on personal savings, which have been ravaged by low interest rates and stock market uncertainty.

If only those of us who are still working had the same obsession about saving and investing wisely! Most workers continue to rely solely on the advice of money managers, or mutual fund managers to ensure their retirement is adequately invested. When the market takes a dip, participants in employer sponsored plans often scale back their contributions, due to a lack of confidence in their investments or their advisors. Most professional financial advisors see lower stock market prices as a golden opportunity to buy, while human nature moves investors to become more cautious and withdraw.

It’s time that we all woke up to the fact that no institution, money manager, or even financial advisor has more at stake than you do – in the health of your retirement funds. Despite the droning platitudes of the politicians, their ability to ensure a stress-free retirement for you is limited by huge budget deficits, tax stalemates, and the burgeoning growth in the number of taxpayers moving into their retirement years.

If you feel inadequate in making good investment decisions, find several friends, associates and professionals who can serve as your advisors – and avoid being influenced only by one source. Just as you wouldn’t subject yourself to a critical medical procedure without a second opinion, don’t move forward with important investment choices without consulting with several advisors.

As stated in the Wall Street Journal, over the next ten years, private investment choices are likely to outpace the public markets. Ensure that you understand all your options, including a self-directed individual retirement account that can access those private investment choices. You may find that understanding your options for investing in rental real estate, private lending, or buying precious metals through your IRA may be easier than reading a 100 page disclosure on the latest IPO. The best result is one that results in making your retirement political proof, providing a greater insulation against the potential damages of future policy decisions, and less reliant on the governments “dividends”.

 

The Basics of Self-Directed IRAs

July 27, 2012

Vice president of NuView IRA, Jason DeBono, explains the basics of self-directed IRAs.

Bad News? What Bad News!

July 2, 2012

What a great time! Banks are no longer lending, no one wants to buy, and people are not paying their taxes. The Washington crowd is in disarray, the Federal Reserve is practically out of tricks, and the prospects of another recession, we are told, is a statistical possibility.

Certainly those thrust out of work or those underemployed are bearing a very painful burden during these difficult times. We do need policies and leadership in all branches of government to make the tough choices to rebuild our economy to one of sustained and steady growth.

But, to investors, the timing may never be more fortunate. Let’s take a few examples, including a personal illustration, to clearly see the opportunities that are available for those that can risk capital.

In July of last year, together with a partner, my retirement plan purchased 50% interest in a two bedroom, one bath 1200 sq ft home in Lake County. In a better economy, we could not have purchased this home, with a dock on a canal leading to Lake Dora for $27,000. A renter has signed a lease for $500/month, providing a gross return after property taxes and insurance of over 11%, even after we spend another $8,000 for a new roof. As the investment is in my retirement plan, all gains will grow tax free.

Recently, I was invited by Fox 35 news to do a piece for their newscast on unique assets that can be purchased with an IRA. Needless to say, the market had just dropped by 600 points and people were in a panic. Keith Landry came by our office and produced a piece explaining how tax liens can be a great way for an individual investor to diversify. Sandra Edmonds of CFRI often provides workshops on how this can be done, and we have many IRA holders that self-direct their IRA funds into these investments. According to a local expert, Doug Gale, President of REO-America, returns of 6-8% are what one can expect, but can fluctuate, according to the market and those showing up to bid on the on-line auctions.

The best news of all, however, is that self-directed IRA holders can lend their money, backed by real estate. This opens the powerful option of real estate investors utilizing private individual’s retirement accounts to fund their purchases.

This type of lending, at rates determined between the borrower and the IRA owner/lender, can provide a great return to the borrower’s IRA while providing much needed capital to the real estate investor. At our self-directed IRA administration company in Orlando, we have clients lending money at rates from 8-16% – all directed by the IRA holder. There is no better time to ask your friends and neighbors about their IRA and their desire to invest in your project or purchase. All lending can be backed by a first or second mortgage on the property.

With a self-directed IRA from our Orlando retirement plan administration company, you will start to see your options in a much different light. Invest in anything the IRS doesn’t prohibit, unrestricted by the limited choices available from your current administrator. From start-ups to LLCs to foreign currency, all can be available to you tax deferred, or in the case of a Roth IRA, tax free.

Just think – if the economy was booming, real estate prices would be double to triple today’s prices, banks would be lending regardless of risk, and everyone would be paying their property taxes. If you have a self-directed IRA, thank goodness it isn’t!

Glen Mather is President of NuView IRA, Inc., a leading self-directed IRA administrator in Orlando. He can be contacted at 407-367-3472 or gmather@nuviewira.com

Self-Directing: Unlocking your IRA

June 19, 2012

Did you know that you can invest in real estate, mortgages, leases, and other asset backed investments inside your retirement plan?

Indeed, since 1975 self-directed plans have been available, although relatively few IRA holders have taken the time to understand their options and take advantage of such retirement plans.

There are three things you should know when you self-direct your retirement plan:

  • Which retirement plans are best – Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, Simple or Individual(k)
  • What types of investments you want to make within the plan
  • Understand the IRS rules of self-dealing and prohibited transactions

The IRS rules regarding prohibited transactions are not too complex, yet one should consult a tax advisor for specific advice. Disqualified people include your immediate family (except siblings) employers (in a qualified plan), certain partners, fiduciaries and other categories spelled out in IRS code. IRA owners may not borrow money from their IRA, sell property to it, receive unreasonable compensation for managing it, or use it as security for a loan. There are also several named categories, such a collectables which also may not be held by your IRA.

The opportunities outside these prohibited transactions are significant. You may buy, sell or exchange investment property inside your self-directed retirement account. You can partner with friends, relatives and business associates to purchase property, and then lease it to anyone that is not a disqualified person. You can roll property from one retirement plan to another – or even take property from your plan as a distribution.

We have seen clients form investment groups, combining IRA and non-IRA funds to purchase and hold property, rehab and turn properties or simply lend out the funds in the form of notes and mortgages.

In addition to these ideas, an IRA may also invest in partnerships, LLCs, private stock offerings, loans (both secured and unsecured), tax lien certificates, purchase options, joint ventures and other investments.

So if you are confident in your abilities to make your own investment decisions, have the desire to reduce or eliminate the tax consequences on your gains, and have the resources to invest – self-direction may prove to be a wise choice for your retirement plan.

Glen Mather is President of NuView IRA, Inc., a leading self-directed IRA administrator in Orlando. He can be contacted at 407-367-3472 or gmather@nuviewira.com

Profiting Through Partnering

May 22, 2012

As a season ticketholder of the Orlando Magic, this season has been a difficult one to watch. No matter how well the team performs, there is an overarching feeling of dread, as we may be losing our all-star center, Dwight Howard to free agency or a trade. Although the NBA has become a superstar focused league, what is often lost is that it is the rest of the team, and the coaching that creates long-term and long lasting success.

I have found that in watching our clients self-direct their IRA funds into real estate, the consistent performers are those that have surrounded themselves with teammates and coaches that share a common vision and passion for success. However, many still choose either to “go-it-alone”, or more often “follow-the-crowd”. Often partnering in your investments can be a phenomenal weapon in your arsenal to build wealth when investing outside the stock market.

As I see it, there are a myriad of positives derived from partnering– here are just ten:

Sharing in the Due Diligence: Our clients at Entrust invest in a wide variety of investments in their self-directed IRAs that require a different type of analysis than stock market choices. For example, when purchasing real estate through their IRA, they may need to assess market value, project rental income, determine cost of repairs, and review property liens. While this may be onerous for an individual, through splitting up these duties – and reviewing each others analysis, it can permit the team to look at many more deals and guide them to a much better decision.

Sharing in the Costs and Expenses: Partners may decide to form an LLC to make investments together, rather than individually go on title. They may also anticipate the benefits of structuring deals in a joint venture or even a taxable corporation. Getting solid legal and tax advice before making the investment is advisable, but can be a bit expensive for the individual investor. Through sharing the costs, partners are less likely to cut corners on legal, investment and other advice that could be critical to long-term success.

Sharing in the Ongoing Work: Partnerships are best formed through the open and honest discussion of what capital and efforts each party is bringing to the investment. In the case of real estate, one investor may be talented in the discovery of underpriced rental properties, while another may be well versed in mortgage sources or able to rehab distressed properties. Many real estate investors do so on a part time basis, and it is only through sharing responsibilities that they are able to balance their full-time work with their investment duties.

Learning from Others: NuView IRA in Orlando is a member of six investment clubs throughout Florida, and as such have seen many mentorship programs offered to first-time real-estate investors. These nascent investors will partner with seasoned, knowledgeable real-estate veterans trading ownership and equity for valuable know-how. By having a partner that directly benefits from the success of a joint venture, not only will the new investor gain critical knowledge, but they also participate in the financial rewards of the results.

Spreading the Risk: When I was much younger, my investments in the stock market were far more risk tolerant. I would move from one hot stock to another – and during the internet boom, many of my picks were right. Now I’m a bit older, and have seen some of those choices go to zero value – I desire the safer refuge of diversification. Partnership provides the ability to diversify – by spreading investment resources over a greater number of choices. Through a self-directed IRA, those choices can include almost any type of investment in real estate, as well as mortgages or other collateral backed lending.

Doing More Deals: As a bookend to diversification, partnering can also result in the ability to get involved in more transactions. If you are not certain whether lending money, backed by a mortgage, is better than investing in raw land, through partnering, you may be able to do both. By being actively involved in multiple deals, the opportunity for enhanced returns can be increased.

Building Strategic Relationships: As I mentioned, IRA investors are often part time – and may have other business interests. Through partnering, their primary businesses can be enhanced through the extension of their partner’s relationships. We have had CPAs who self-direct their IRA into loans that are marketed to local realtors. These realtors have become an unanticipated referral network to the CPA’s tax practice as a result of his lending relationships.

Broadening Contacts: Partnering can be such a good source of marketing to some clients that they factor in the value of their partner’s rolodex. We have several real estate rehabbers who lend their IRA to local hard money lenders – for them to re-loan their funds to individuals that want to buy distressed property. These purchasers of property often are referred to the rehabbers by the hard-money lenders in turn to repair the property. (note: due to IRS rules (section 4975), the rehabber cannot work on the same property that his IRA has lent money to acquire).

Increasing Liquidity Options: When property is purchased within any partnership, other partner(s) are a logical potential buyer. If they choose not to exercise an option to buy, due to their intimate involvement with the asset the remaining partner(s) are likely to be actively incented to find a new buyer to replace the departing partner.

Specialize in What You Know: A key characteristic shared by investors drawn to self-directed IRAs is their desire to put their skills to work in areas that they are learning or have mastered. This is only enhanced through partnering. My talents may lie in doing on-line research – and my partner’s in assessing property values through visual inspection. Together we make a powerful team as we buy tax lien certificates at our local courthouse. Of course, if I have the desire to learn how to assess property, I can extend my knowledge through observation of my partner.

Partnering is not the panacea for the weak hearted, the slothful, or the uninvolved investor. On the contrary, it is for the engaged, motivated, knowledgeable person who desires to multiply his/her strengths through the power of association of like-minded individuals. Harness the power of partnership in your investments, and you may unleash the full potential of your retirement future.

Glen Mather is President of NuView IRA, Inc., a leading self-directed IRA administrator in Orlando. He can be contacted at 407-367-3472 or gmather@nuviewira.com

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