Directed IRA Podcast

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler dive into the Top 10 Mistakes in Self-Directing Your IRA—and how to avoid them. Whether you're just getting started or already managing self-directed investments, this episode outlines the most common pitfalls that can derail your retirement strategy, including prohibited transactions, improper deal structuring, and UBIT traps. Mat and Mark not only break down each mistake but also provide practical guidance on how to structure deals the right way to stay compliant and protect your tax-advantaged account. They also highlight a critical bonus topic on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for illiquid assets that every older investor must understand.If you’re looking to confidently navigate self-directed retirement investing, this episode is for you.00:00:08 – 00:01:50 – Intro, Past Events, & Empowering You to Self-Direct Your IRA00:01:50 – 00:04:15 – Breaking Out of the Brokerage Box (Disney Analogy): Investment Freedom Explained00:04:15 – 00:04:18 – Top 10 Mistakes in Self-Directing Your IRA00:04:18 – 00:06:30 – Mistake 1: Early Commitment to Deals00:06:30 – 00:07:54 – Mistake 2: Buying Assets You Already Own00:07:54 – 00:08:36 – Mistake 3: Transacting with Disqualified Persons00:08:36 – 00:11:30 – Mistake 4: Violating the 50% Rule in Business Ownership00:11:30 – 00:13:12 – Mistake 5: Providing Services to IRA-Owned Assets00:13:40 – 00:16:50 – Mistake 6: Personally Profiting from IRA Transactions00:16:50 – 00:21:30 – Mistake 7: Using IRA-Owned Assets Personally00:21:30 – 00:23:04 – Mistake 8: Improper Flow of Funds with IRA LLCs00:22:55 – 00:24:20 – Mistake 9: Underfunding Investments and the Need for Capital Planning00:24:20 – 00:31:04 – Mistake 10: Ignoring UBIT and UDFI Tax Traps00:31:04 – 00:32:30 – Bonus: RMD Pitfalls with Illiquid IRA Assets00:32:30 – 00:34:15 – Conclusion: Knowledge is Power—Avoiding Pitfalls with ConfidenceDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Ready to get started? Book a call with one of our IRA specialists!: https://directedira.com/appointment/If you’ve got an old 401(k) or IRA collecting dust, it’s time to take control. In this episode, Mat and Mark explain how to move your account into a self-directed IRA—without triggering taxes or penalties—and why it matters. You’ll learn what you can invest in, from real estate to startups, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Mat and Mark also share real examples and walk you through the steps to get started. Don’t let your retirement account sit idle—put it to work.00:00:10 – Why Your Old 401(k) or Sleepy IRA Needs Attention00:02:04 – Understanding the Power of Self-Directed IRAs00:03:17 – Common Myths and Misconceptions00:04:37 – What You Can Invest In with a Self-Directed IRA00:05:13 – How to Move Your IRA Without Tax or Penalty00:08:50 – Real Investment Examples: Real Estate, Crypto, and More00:17:00 – Prohibited Transactions and Restrictions00:20:32 – How to Get Started with Directed IRADirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Ready to get started? Book a call with one of our IRA specialists!: https://directedira.com/appointment/In this episode, Mat Sorensen and special guest David McAlvany explore how to buy gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in your IRA. They explain the rules, benefits, risks, and strategies—whether you’re seeking portfolio diversification, inflation protection, or long-term growth. Learn how precious metals can fit into your retirement plan and what mistakes to avoid.📌 Key Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Background02:30 – History of Precious Metals in IRAs04:15 – Why Invest in Metals: Diversification & “Wealth Insurance”11:00 – Tax Benefits of Using an IRA for Metals13:00 – Storage Rules for Precious Metals in an IRA14:00 – Gold vs. Other Precious Metals: What to Buy26:00 – Gold vs. Crypto vs. Stocks34:00 – Rebalancing Strategies for Long-Term Growth47:00 – Due Diligence & Avoiding Overpriced Metals🔗 Useful Links: Learn more from McAlvany: https://mcalvany.com/directedDavid McAlvany's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmcalvany/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Learn how to take control of your retirement - https://directedira.com/In this episode, Mat and Mark dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of retirement and estate planning—who should be the beneficiary of your IRA? Should it be your spouse? Your kids? Or your trust? They break down the tax implications, legal requirements, and best practices to ensure your wealth is passed on efficiently and securely. With real-life stories and clear action steps, this episode is a must-listen for anyone with a retirement account. 00:00 – Welcome & Why This Topic Matters00:25 – The Common Mistake Most People Make01:02 – Why Trusts Often Get Left Out01:58 – The Life Insurance Horror Story03:19 – Why Beneficiary Designations Rule All04:04 – Tips for Married Couples: Spouse First, Trust Second05:08 – Why a Trust Helps with Minor or At-Risk Children06:08 – Asset Protection & Special Needs Planning06:50 – What Is a See-Through Trust?08:06 – The IRS Rules & Structural Requirements09:40 – Action Items: Audit, Update, Organize11:00 – Wrapping Up: The Power of Being OrganizedTo get a comprehensive tax and legal plan get to my law firm KKOS Lawyers, https://kkoslawyers.com. Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Discover how a Self-Directed IRA can transform your retirement savings into a private lending powerhouse. Learn the mechanics behind secured loans and the importance of assessing borrowers and properties. Debunk myths surrounding private lending and navigate essential documentation like promissory notes. Explore payment structures and their impacts on investors and borrowers. Enjoy tax-free growth while leveraging your networks in the real estate community to maximize wealth and opportunity.

In this podcast, Mat breaks down how he used his retirement account to purchase a real, physical rental property—and how he paid zero taxes on the rental income and six-figure profits when he sold. Most people think their retirement is locked into Wall Street investments, but Mat shows how you can use a Self-Directed IRA to invest in assets you know and trust—like real estate. He walks through the exact steps he took, the financial results, and how you can start taking control of your financial future by building wealth outside of traditional investments. 📚 Want to learn more? Get a copy of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook or schedule a call with the team at DirectedIRA.com.00:00 – Intro: I Bought This Rental in My IRAMat introduces the surprising truth—yes, you can buy a rental property with your IRA or 401(k).01:36 – Why Real Estate Over the Stock Market?Explaining why Mat believes real estate provides better returns and tax advantages than stocks.03:12 – How a Self-Directed IRA WorksAn overview of what a Self-Directed IRA is and how it gives you investment control beyond Wall Street.05:32 – The Exact Strategy I UsedMat breaks down his real-life example—buying a 3-bed, 2-bath rental in Indianapolis through his retirement account.07:14 – Setting Up the IRA LLC StructureHow to structure the deal using an IRA-owned LLC for control and liability protection.10:26 – The Financial Results: Rental Income and Big GainsMat shares the numbers—purchase price, rental income, sale price, and the $100K profit he made tax-free.12:17 – What I Did Next: Private Lending & More InvestingHow Mat reinvested the profits into private money lending and new deals.13:15 – Why You Should Take Control of Your RetirementThe emotional payoff—building a bigger retirement account and creating a life of freedom and choices.15:09 – Can You Really Do This? Yes! Here’s How to StartDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, I sat down with Adam Hooper and Ryan Sudek from Sage Investment Group to dive into a high-impact real estate strategy: converting underutilized hotels into naturally affordable housing. We explored how this model delivers strong investor returns while addressing the affordable housing crisis—without relying on government subsidies. With over 20 successful conversions and more in the pipeline, this episode is packed with insights on real estate investing, IRA strategies, and wealth-building opportunities. If you're passionate about doing good while making money, you won't want to miss this conversation.0:00 - Intro - Real Estate Supply, Demand & Affordability Crisis0:30 - Meet Sage Investment Group & Their Mission1:43 - Why Hotels? A Strategic Conversion Model Explained6:13 - First Hotel Deal Case Study: Tucson Conversion10:11 - Why Not Office Conversions? Key Challenges12:05 - Investment Returns Without Sacrificing Impact15:15 - Deals That Didn’t Work and Why20:26 - Big Wins: Texas Hotel Acquisitions for Half Price23:09 - Hotel Industry Distress & The Patel Effect25:13 - Post-COVID Shifts in Hospitality and Opportunity27:06 - Using Self-Directed IRAs in Real Estate30:17 - Evergreen Fund Structure & Diversification Benefits31:54 - Liquidity & Exiting the Fund33:08 - 1031 Exchange Strategy Using a 721 UpREIT36:45 - Active Value Creation vs. Passive Investing38:06 - Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Real Estate?40:22 - Supply Forecasting & Conversions Market Potential44:27 - Personal Motivations & Building Investor Access48:31 - How M&A Skills Transfer to Real Estate51:18 - Fund Performance, Notes, and Final Investment Terms53:59 - How to Learn More & Get Involved👉 Want to learn more or invest?Visit sageinvestment.com/IRA for details on how Sage Investment Group helps turn underutilized hotels into high-yield, naturally affordable housing.📩 Have questions or ready to connect?Email ryan@sageinvestment.group or adam@sageinvestment.groupDirected IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

Dive into the world of self-directed IRAs and discover powerful investment strategies. The hosts explore the benefits of Health Savings Accounts for young adults and share humorous insights on family financial planning. Learn about the importance of asset protection in retirement accounts and how to navigate solo 401(k) options for entrepreneurs. Plus, uncover the intricacies of Roth contributions and the advantages of VA loans for property acquisition. It's a blend of practical advice and philosophical reflections for savvy investors!

In this episode of the Directed IRA Podcast, Mat Sorensen breaks down one of the most powerful tools for building long-term, tax-free wealth: the Backdoor Roth IRA. Many high-income earners believe they’re ineligible for Roth IRAs due to income limits—but that’s where the backdoor strategy comes in.Mat walks you through how the Backdoor Roth IRA works in 2025, including the three-step process of contributing to a traditional IRA, making it non-deductible, and then converting it to a Roth. He covers common pitfalls like the pro-rata rule and re-characterization mistakes, explains how to double up contributions for 2024 and 2025, and shares why this strategy remains one of the best-kept secrets in retirement planning—even with ongoing attempts by Congress to shut it down.Whether you're new to this strategy or need a refresher on the rules for 2025, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to make it work.👉 Learn more and get started with your own Backdoor Roth IRA at https://directedira.com/backdoor-roth-ira/Directed IRA Homepage: https://directedira.com/ Directed IRA Explore (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/SelfDirectedIRA Book a Call: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Other:Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com & https://linktr.ee/MatSorensen KKOS: https://kkoslawyers.comMain Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com

The hosts dive into the world of self-directed IRAs, debunking common myths and clarifying misconceptions. They break down what self-directed IRAs are and highlight versatile investment options, including real estate and startups. Tax advantages and the process of transferring funds without penalties are thoroughly explained. Listeners learn about key IRS restrictions and the importance of aligning investments with personal expertise. This insightful discussion serves both new and experienced investors looking to navigate the self-directed IRA landscape.