Self-Directed IRA Private Lending Explained

If someone wants to just simply hold the paper secured by an asset in their self-directed IRA, their self-directed IRA is actually going to be a private lender for that asset. That’s right…self-directed IRA private lending simply means a private individual is using their self-directed IRA to loan the money rather than a bank or lending institution.

Self-Directed IRA Private Lending…The Numbers

In this example, Jack Brown has $100,000 he rolls over into his self-directed IRA. He wants to loan it to an investor as a first mortgage on a property worth $135,000.

Self-Directed IRA Private Lending…Determining the Value

Perhaps Jack’s realtor, an appraiser or some resource told him, or perhaps he’s sophisticated enough to look at the deal and say I’m comfortable that the deal is worth $135,000. We always suggest doing your ‘due diligence’ and using professionals to assess the value of an asset you are going to loan money on.

In this case, we’re looking at an LTV – Loan to Value – of 75%. This is not a hard and fast rule, with self-directed IRA private lending, the Loan to value is negotiated between the private lender and the private borrower.

Self-Directed IRA Private Lending…The Terms

The two parties – the lenders as well as the borrower – agreed to a 9% interest rate with interest only payments over five years and no amortization of the loan. With self-directed IRA private lending, the interest rate is negotiated by the private lender and the private borrower. They agreed on a straight interest-only payment, just to make it really clean and easy.

The property is going to be secured by a mortgage and a promissory note, and it’s going to be recorded with an attorney.

Self-Directed IRA Private Lending…Preparing for the Closing

Jack is going to send us what we call a buy direction letter. It’s an internal document that he completes to tell us the details of what he wants his IRA to invest in.

Jack will then review and approve all the closings documents. He’s the account holder and the decision-maker. He needs to understand the deal, and it’s only going to be funded if Jack is comfortable with it.

Self-Directed IRA Private Lending…The Closing

Even though this loan is being made through his self-directed IRA, this is going to be a regular closing that we’re used to as real estate investors. The documents are going to be recorded, and the only difference is that the original documents are actually going to be held by our office in our fireproof safe at American IRA.

As you can see, we’re not making the decisions. The client is directing us all along the way as to how and when to make the investment. In this case, because it’s a Traditional IRA, the interest is going to be tax deferred in a monthly amount of $750. That’s just 9% of $100,000 broken down into monthly payments.

Self-Directed IRA Private Lending…The Profits

At the end of the five years the loan is repaid, and the interest accrued over those five years is $45,000!

All self-directed IRA private lending investments have inherent risks. With proper due diligence and a professional team, risk can be managed but not eliminated-that is our job as investors. If you don’t want to take a risk whatsoever, tongue in cheek I say “Put it in U.S. Bonds or FDIC Insured CDs…though as you all know…Bonds and CDs are offering very low returns”.

Disclaimer

American IRA, LLC does not give investment advice.  We do offer guidance as to the rules and regulations related to their self-directed accounts and the benefits of different account types so that their clients can take that information to their professionals to discuss the ramifications of various decisions on their individual situation.

For more information, or to explore your options, call American IRA today at 866-7500-IRA (472). We look forward to working with you.