You can set up a Solo 401(k) even if you already contribute to an employer sponsored retirement plan….and, there are HUGE benefits.

Combined with the ability to invest into non-traditional assets, such as real estate, the Safeguard Financial Solo 401(k) has some very attractive features that set it apart from other Self Directed IRA plans:

• High contribution amounts (up to $49,000 or $54,000 if over 50 years of age)
• Permits tax-free loans (50% of the total plan value, up to a maximum of $50,000)
• Exempt from taxes related to the debt-financed portion of a real property transaction
• Self-trustee plan (an IRA custodian is not required)
• Up to $22,000 of contributions can be designated to a Roth sub-account

Any type of business can establish a Solo 401(k), so long as there are no full time employees other than the business owner and their spouse.  It can be a partnership, corporation, LLC or sole proprietorship.  Also, the business doesn’t have to exist yet… you can set up a new business at the same time you establish the plan.

In other words, if you work for someone else, you can still set up your own business and initially fund the Solo 401(k) plan with a former plan rollover or transfer from an existing traditional IRA or SEP IRA.

A good example is Steve.  He is a security officer for a large manufacturing company and decided to offer his services on weekends for private events.  So, he set up a new company “Steve’s Security Services” and rolled over a 401(k) from a former employer to initially fund his new Solo 401(k) with $60,000.

Steve’s objective is to maximize contributions to his retirement plan and limit his tax liability, and now he’s got the perfect set up to accomplish it.  He earns $77,000 per year at his full-time job and his employer match is 3%.  So he contributes the full salary deferral of $16,500 and the manufacturing company contributes another $2,310.

Being very successful in finding part-time opportunities through his side business, Steve earns a total of $22,000.  While Steve cannot make additional deferral contributions due to maximizing through his full-time employer’s plan, he can utilize the profit sharing portion (employer match) of his Solo 401(k).  This allows him to contribute 25% of his self-employment earnings – another $5,500.

The end result?  Steve added $24,310 to his retirement plan, and reduced his taxable income by $22,000.  As a special bonus, this deferral reduced his adjusted gross income and put him in a lower tax bracket.  Steve saved more than $2,000 at tax time!

In a future blog, we’ll fill you in on how Steve invested his plan in some opportunities he identified in his local real estate market that resulted in a return on investment of over 20%.

Whether you are currently self-employed or considering adding a side business, you owe it to yourself to consider the Safeguard Financial Solo 401(k) plan.

The bottom line is this.  If you are truly interested in growing your nest egg, you need to explore your self-directed retirement plan options fully.  At Safeguard Financial, we offer the widest range of self directed investment plans in the industry.  All of our plans are focused on putting you in control of investment decisions, allow a broad range of asset choices, and are backed by the highest quality professional setup and advisory services… and a low cost guarantee.

Our expert IRA advisors can assist you in determining what the best fit for your particular situation may be, whether a Solo 401(k), Checkbook IRA, Custodian-Managed Self Directed IRA or a Business Funding IRA. When it comes to self directed IRA investing, Safeguard Financial is your one stop resource.  Contact us today to learn more and take control of your retirement plan investing.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

Now comes the news that foreclosures have just seen the “worst three months of all time” according to a report by RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed homes.

The report stated that “ the foreclosure crisis may not diminish anytime soon. The fastest growing area is in the 180 days late-plus category, the most seriously delinquent borrowers.  It’s going to be a lingering problem.”

Quoting the RealtyTrac report, Les Christie, a staff writer with CNNMoney.com, comments that “the statistics may understate the depth of the foreclosure mess because lender and government actions have delayed many filings. As a result, some delinquencies have not been counted on the foreclosure tallies. That means the crisis may not end quickly”.

And because there are so many delinquent borrowers, RealtyTrac predicts the banks will be slow to take back their properties and put the repossessed homes back on the market.

“It’s hard to envision [the banks] putting millions of properties up for sale and cratering prices,” he said. “Recovery will be slow and gradual. I don’t see home prices getting much better until 2013, stated Rick Sharga, a spokesman for RealtyTrac. (Read the entire article here: Foreclosures: Worst Three Months Of All Time…)

So, there it is…for the next 3 years there will continue to be opportunities for Real Estate IRA investors who have made it their mission to understand their local markets and be ready to move into action when the right property is available.

If you haven’t done so already, go to the Safeguard Financial Blog and read the following 3 posts related to short sales, foreclosures and REOs:

• IRAs & Distressed Property – Pt1
• IRAs & Distressed Property – Pt2
• IRAs & Distressed Property – Pt3

As we have discussed in this series of posts, opportunities for picking up “distressed” properties abound. Yet there are 3 fundamental steps that should be taken in order to be successful:

Step 1: Education. Be able to speak the language of “distressed property”.
Step 2: Put together a team of knowledgeable professionals to assist you.
Step 3: Have the right plan in place prior to engaging in a transaction.

If you are serious about growing your retirement wealth through investing in distressed properties with your self directed IRA or Solo 401(k), contact one of our expert IRA advisors today.  We’ll help you establish an investment plan that will enable you to be ready to act on opportunities quickly and gain the best deals.  Our experienced and professional team will have your Checkbook IRA or Solo 401(k) up and running in 30 days or less with the fastest, turn-key setup process in the industry.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

And then, with most retirement plans, we are offered a handful of “diversified” offerings in just a handful of asset classes.  If you are invested in the “balanced”, “international” and “growth” funds offered through the typical company 401(K) plan, are you really diversified?  As many of us learned too late in this most recent stock market collapse, the answer is a resounding no.

With a self directed IRA, you have the ability to diversify your portfolio by adding a wider range of asset classes such as real estate, privately held stock, commodities and foreign currencies.  While that is a great start, many self directed IRA plans fall short when it comes to managing and balancing a well diversified investment portfolio.

In a self directed IRA held by a 3^rd party custodian, your only in-house investment option is a money market account with an interest rate well below the rate of inflation.  If you want to invest in or re-allocate between, say, stocks and Forex, you need to spend both time and money just getting the custodian to move funds from one brokerage account to another… and in many cases there will be a charge simply for holding the brokerage account within your IRA.

What if you have a rental property or a note that generates good cash flow each month?  Do you want to erode that growth by either parking the income in a money market account or through the cost associated with moving funds to where they can be re-invested productively?

With a Solo 401(k) or Self Directed IRA with Checkbook Control, you are not handcuffed in this manner.  You really can control your retirement investments in ways not possible through any other investment platform.  Not only can you be truly diversified, but you can exercise another key element of smart investing by “always keeping your money working”.

In the checkbook control plans offered by Safeguard Financial, the assets of your retirement plan are held in a specially constructed legal entity which you control.  You can hold a full variety of asset classes in the name of your Checkbook IRA LLC or 401(k) plan trust, and easily move capital between these assets.  The income from the tax lien that was redeemed or the foreclosure fix/flip property that sold can easily and quickly be moved to where it will do you the most good – whether that is another tax lien, a private mortgage, or shares of a Fortune 500 company.

If you are serious about growing your retirement wealth through investing in an array of asset classes with your self directed IRA or Solo 401(k), contact one of our expert IRA advisors today.  We’ll help you establish an investment plan that will enable you to balance your portfolio and re-allocate without unnecessary delays and fees.  Our experienced and professional team will have your Checkbook IRA or Solo 401(k) up and running in 30 days or less with the fastest, turn-key setup process in the industry.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

In Part 1, we took a look at the opportunity (for investors) created by foreclosures, short sales and REO (real estate owned) property.

Part 2 dealt with the advantages of being a cash buyer utilizing a Self Directed IRA or 401(k).

Part 3 will explore having the “right plan” in place before the investment opportunity arises!
___________________________________________________________________

During the course of a day, we receive at least one phone call from a potential client who is frantic to set up a Self Directed IRA plan in order to complete a real estate transaction that has already been set in motion.

This scenario has several potential downsides. First, it runs the risk of creating a prohibited transaction regarding mixing personal funds with IRA funds (because of the down payment requirements). Secondly, if the investor has been aggressive in setting a closing date, there is a real possibility that the Self Directed IRA plan won’t be in place in time to make the closing.

Therefore, when it comes to taking advantage of purchasing “distressed” properties with a Real Estate IRA plan, the key is…to already have the plan in place prior to engaging in a transaction.

(As pointed out in Part 2 of this series: Retirement investors who have set up a Checkbook IRA, or a Solo 401(k), plan with checkbook control, have the same advantage as a cash buyer.)

In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle dated Sept. 1, 2009, Carolyn Said, a staff writer, recounts the story of Nathan Foran who used his self-directed IRA to buy a dilapidated foreclosed house for $25,000 cash.

Foran plans to invest another $25,000 to $35,000 from the retirement account to fix up the property. He then hopes to rent it out for about $1,000 a month…money that will go straight into his retirement account.

Although Said doesn’t address the issue, Foran would have already had a Self Directed IRA, Checkbook IRA, Real Estate IRA or Solo 401k plan in place in order to acquire a foreclosed property. In fact, it is a foregone conclusion, since immediate availability of cash is required for such transactions and only a plan with checkbook control would afford this option.

The author of the article goes on to point out:

“With many properties at bargain-basement prices, more people have been turning to their self-directed IRAs as a ready source of capital to make real estate investments. Companies that manage self-directed IRAs say real estate investments by their clients are up as much as 30 percent over the past year.”

Further, she states that “Self-directed IRAs account for just 2 percent of the $4.2 trillion IRA market, but are among its fastest-growing segments. They allow access to a variety of investment vehicles beyond just stocks and bonds.”

“Most IRA real estate investors buy properties with all cash, the simplest approach”, Said points out. “If they don’t have enough funds to do that, they can partner with other IRA account owners, or even partner with themselves, for instance paying half from their IRA and half from their personal savings.”

Suzanne Gregg, an agent with Paragon Real Estate Group in San Francisco, has bought and flipped a couple of properties through her IRA and said she tripled her money.

“It’s not like you just buy a stock online and forget about it; it’s a little more hands on,” she said. “It’s a tangible asset you can see and manage.”

As we have discussed in the previous 2 articles in this series, opportunities for picking up “distressed” properties abound. Yet there are 3 fundamental steps that should be taken in order to be successful:

Step 1: Education. Be able to speak the language of “distressed property”.
Step 2: Put together a team of knowledgeable professionals to assist you.
Step 3: Have the right plan in place prior to engaging in a transaction.

If you are serious about growing your retirement wealth through investing in distressed properties with your self directed IRA or Solo 401(k), contact one of our expert IRA advisors today.  We’ll help you establish an investment plan that will enable you to be ready to act on opportunities quickly and gain the best deals.  Our experienced and professional team will have your Checkbook IRA or Solo 401(k) up and running in 30 days or less with the fastest, turn-key setup process in the industry.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

(Carolyn Said’s article can be read at SF Gate, the online home of the San Francisco Chronicle.)

In Part 1, we took a look at the opportunity (for investors) created by foreclosures, short sales and REO (real estate owned) property.

Part 2 deals with the advantages of being a cash buyer utilizing a Self Directed IRA or 401(k).

Part 3 will explore having the “right plan” in place before the investment opportunity arises!

___________________________________________________

Cash is king…especially when it comes to buying “distressed” properties, including foreclosures, short sales and REOs.

In today’s “upside down” real estate market, investors with cash have a distinct advantage over a competitor who would be obtaining a mortgage to complete a transaction.  The cash buyer is much more flexible and has the ability to act quickly.  Owners and lenders who are involved with foreclosed properties love this combination.

But, here’s a little secret. Retirement investors who have set up a Self Directed IRA, or a Solo 401(k), plan with checkbook control, have the same advantage as a cash buyer. Not only is cash immediately available, but these retirement investment plans also offer flexibility and spontaneous transactional ability.

How is that possible?  Because retirement funds have been moved to a checking account whereby the owner is able to execute a transaction on behalf of their retirement plan and write a check, or obtain a cashier’s check… immediately and without the delays of a 3^rd party review.

Many retirement investors question whether a Checkbook IRA (also known as an IRA LLC, Real Estate IRA LLC, Self Directed IRA LLC or Solo 401k) is necessary for investing in real estate.

Technically speaking, an investment can be made directly from a Self Directed IRA custodial account. However, when investing in distressed properties, it simply will not work.  Reaction time is everything, and custodial paperwork/process is not well-suited for moving rapidly.

For more extensive information regarding custodial vs Checkbook IRA investing, CLICK HERE.

To illustrate the “cash is king” position, you need look no further than this article from the San Francisco Chronicle on August 23, 2009:

‘Cash Is King’ In Market For Foreclosed Homes

Since January, Jay Nielsen has put in 10 bids (on foreclosed homes); “some were up to $80,000 over asking price and were still turned down,” said Nielsen, 41, a medical assistant. Each time, the banks selected offers from investors with all-cash offers – even when those offers were lower than his, Nielsen said.

“Cash is king right now,” said Glen Bell of Keller Williams Realty in Berkeley. For foreclosed homes, “a cash offer that hits the target price will many times trump a higher-priced offer with a loan. The ability to close has become just as important to banks as price. The prospect of a property being tied up longer, still on their books and then falling out is costly.”

Escrow closes quickly and easily with a cash offer, while offers with a mortgage often take 45 days or longer to close, and can fall through if the financing hits a snag. The result is that average consumers say they are being shut out because they can’t compete against deep-pocketed investors snapping up homes to rent out or flip.

Read the entire article here: ‘Cash Is King’ In Market For Foreclosed Homes.

If you are interested in giving yourself a competitive advantage, increasing your bargaining leverage, and growing your retirement wealth through investing in distressed properties with your self directed IRA or Solo 401(k), contact one of our expert IRA advisors today.  We’ll show you how you can join the scores of clients we have helped recently to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities out there in the world of distressed properties.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

In Part 1, we’ll take a look at the opportunity (for investors) created by foreclosures, short sales and REO (real estate owned) property.

Part 2 will deal with the advantages of being a cash buyer utilizing a Self Directed IRA or 401(k).

Part 3 will explore having the “right plan” in place before the investment opportunity arises!

___________________________________________________

For property owners who find themselves in a situation where the value of their real estate is less than what is owed on a mortgage, these are “distressing” times.

Usually, it’s a combination of declining values and the inability (or unwillingness) of the owner to continue to make loan payments that causes a property to be classified as “distressed”.

To describe properties in various stages of distress, certain terms have become all too familiar to us…foreclosure, short sale and REO (real estate owned property).

Here’s a quick definition of each of the stages of distressed properties:

Foreclosure – usually means the owner has stopped making mortgage payments and the note holder or lender has given notice that unless payments are brought up to date, the property will be sold at auction, to the highest bidder.  The owner can bring the loan current and thereby avoid foreclosure.  However, if this doesn’t occur, the property may be sold for the amount owed, rather than market value, making the purchase attractive to investors.

Short Sale – occurs after a property is in foreclosure, but prior to a public auction. In this circumstance, a note holder or lender agrees to accept less than what is owed on the property.  This is especially attractive to an investor, since they are able to purchase the property for less than they would pay at a foreclosure.

REO – means real estate owned by the lender.  This is similar to a short sale, except the lender owns, and has taken possession of, a foreclosed property. Typically, the mortgage holder ends up with the property because the public auction did not produce an acceptable bid. Considered the best way to buy a distressed property, an REO eliminates the seller from the equation leaving only the investor, investor’s agent, the lender and the lender’s agent. Without the emotion of ownership involved, the transaction becomes purely a numbers game.

While it is unfortunate that real people are suffering real loss, it is a foregone conclusion that each of these stages of “distress” also signals an opportunity for the Self Directed IRA & 401(k) investor.

About 70% of our Self Directed IRA clients are focused on real estate investing and, not surprisingly, many of them are pursuing distressed property sales – in their own neighborhoods and in regions of the country where the fundamentals of economic recovery are in place.

We regularly work with investors who are picking up properties at significant discounts – often for less than it would cost to build.  They are then receiving excellent cash flow as rentals, or flipping the properties for handsome profits.  Best of all, they are actively growing their retirement funds with tax deferred or tax free gains by utilizing a Checkbook IRA or Solo 401(k).

If you’re a seasoned investor then it is likely that you are already participating in this segment of the real estate investing marketplace.  If you’re a novice, but recognize there is opportunity awaiting you, then you’ll definitely want to stake your claim in this area of Self Directed IRA real estate investing.

Knowledge is power…so goes the saying.  One of the best ways to succeed in distressed properties or any other form of real estate investing is to build a solid team – and thereby leverage the knowledge of experienced professionals.

Since some Real Estate Brokers are now “specializing” in distressed sales, it is advisable to hook up with one of these professionals…who has local knowledge.  They, in turn, will be able to recommend others, such as a competent real estate attorney who can make sure your interests are being protected.

When it comes to funding real estate investments with a self directed IRA or Solo 401(k), Safeguard Financial has you covered.  We have decades of real estate investing experience in house, as well as a solid understanding of how to properly work with banks, realtors and title companies to get deals done right.

Even with a top rate team in place, you need to be able to speak the language of “distressed property sales”.  Just like with Self Directed IRA investing, there is a wealth of information on the internet and we recommend you take full advantage of it.  For your convenience, here are a few links that you will find helpful:

Handling Short Sales Foreclosure Sale Basics Buying a Short Sale Home

Distressed Homes in Default – Distressed Short Sales and Foreclosures

In Part 2 of this series, we will take a look at the advantages of being a cash buyer…utilizing a Self Directed IRA or 401(k).

In the meantime, we urge you to contact one of our Expert IRA Advisors at your earliest convenience in order to put together an investment plan that will meet your needs and put you in a position to take advantage of any opportunity that may come your way.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

Some people we speak with have a particular investment in mind, others simply want to learn more about their options and what the possibilities are.  We receive calls from seasoned real estate investors and entrepreneurs, as well as from people new to the concept of managing their own investment decisions.  In the same day, we’ll help investors who want to hold rental real estate in Texas, purchase tax liens in Florida, open a franchise in New York or take an equity stake in a California start up.

As a result, we are constantly reminded that Self Directed IRA investing is not any one thing, but rather encompasses a broad range of retirement plan structures.  Finding the best plan for a particular investor’s needs is one of the most important services we provide as IRA advisors and facilitators.

Most all self directed IRA plans provide the investor with access to a wider range of possible investments than have traditionally been available from brokerage firms – such as real estate, stock of closely held companies, private loans or mortgage notes, tax liens, and a host of other options.

There are, however, distinct differences between plans held by an IRA custodian and those that provide the investor with Checkbook Control.  There are also self directed plans based on various retirement plans such as IRA’s, Roth IRA’s and 401(k) plans – each with different contribution rules and tax treatment.

The type of self directed investment plan best suited to one investor may not be the right vehicle for another – even when the asset class they want to invest in is similar.  Factors such as investment experience, risk tolerance, funding levels, asset protection, and contribution/distribution goals need to be considered.

At Safeguard Financial, we provide the widest variety of truly self directed retirement investment plans in the industry; including a Checkbook IRA, Real Estate IRA, Business Funding IRA and Solo 401(k).  All of the plans we offer give the investor “Checkbook Control” over investment funds and decisions.  Because we offer a choice of attorney-authored plans, we are uniquely qualified to help our clients find the investment platform that is the best tool for their particular needs and investment goals.

Many of the investors we speak with are well-suited to establish a self directed IRA plan with checkbook control, which affords ultimate control over retirement funds.  Other investors may be better served with a custodian-managed account.

So, what type of retirement investor should consider a Self-Directed IRA with checkbook control? Generally speaking, if you can answer one or more of the following questions in the affirmative, you may benefit from setting up one of Safeguard Financial’s Self Directed IRA plan structures.

1. Are you willing to become educated about, and involved in, investment opportunities outside the stock market?

2. Have you been successful with investing in non-traditional assets with personal funds?

3. Do you ever come across an investment opportunity that causes you to say to yourself “if I had the money, I wouldn’t hesitate to jump right in”?

4. Are you comfortable taking on the responsibility for managing your own investment account, with the help of competent professional advisors?

Remember…the “self” in Self Directed IRA means that YOU are the one that is both “in charge” and “responsible” for making investment decisions for your retirement funds.

When speaking with one of our advisors, you will quickly discover that we realize not all retirement investors (and not all investments) are “qualified” for a Self Directed IRA with “checkbook control”.  Unlike some other firms that may be inclined to “sell the plan they offer”, our focus is always to direct an investor towards the best plan for their needs – even if that means referring them elsewhere.

Contact us today to speak with an Advisor to determine whether a Safeguard Financial Self Directed IRA that will give you ultimate and final checkbook control over your own retirement funds is the best tool for you needs.

Safeguard Financial
877-229-9763
www.IRA123.com

2010 marks the implementation of changes to the Roth IRA rules included in the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (TIPRA).  These changes open up the door to Roth IRA conversions for investors who have been locked out of this tax free investment opportunity in the past.

Unlike Traditional IRAs, provisions for Roth IRAs include tax-free growth, tax-free distributions, and no required minimum distributions (RMD’s) for the owner of the retirement plan.

But, many investors have not been able to reap these rewards due to limits on income for contributing to a Roth IRA or converting Traditional IRA funds to Roth status.  In the past, if your adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeded $100,000 (single or married), you could not convert Traditional IRA funds to Roth treatment.

Beginning January 1, 2010, the existing AGI limitation on Roth conversions will no longer apply. Investors who convert in 2010 can spread the taxes over two years, 2011 and 2012, thereby receiving what amounts to an interest free loan from the IRS, to be repaid over a two-year period. Think of it as your own personal stimulus package.

Everyone’s situation is different, so don’t assume the Roth IRA or 2010 conversion opportunity is tailor-made for you. Sit down with your CPA, or with a good tax planner, and take a hard look at whether this might be the right move.

If you find you want to perform a Roth IRA conversion, be sure to check with us regarding how that Roth conversion will fit in with your self directed IRA investing goals.  Some self directed investment structures are more suited to Roth conversion than others.

While lack of planning could prevent you from being able to make a Roth IRA conversion, we have strategies that can help you maximize your ability to participate in a self directed Roth IRA with converted funds.

The bottom line is this… proper planning with good advice can multiply your potential for tax free retirement wealth building.  At Safeguard Financial, we have the knowledge and experience to assist you in evaluating your options and successfully integrating your Roth IRA and Self Directed IRA, Checkbook IRA or Real Estate IRA investment strategies.

Contact us today to learn more about how you can take advantage of a self directed Roth IRA.

Safeguard Financial
www.IRA123.com
877-229-9763

• The majority of publicly traded companies such as Coca Cola, UPS, Delta Airlines and many others, have frozen traditional pension plans.
• Employer matching contributions to 401(k) plans have been put “put on hold”.
• Retirement benefits are under attack now, and medical benefits (already greatly reduced) are the next target.
• Every man, woman and child in America now owes $186,717 in tax debt thanks to the Wizards of Wall Street (investment bankers) and U.S. government elected officials who definitely do not have your best interests at heart.
  

(According to Wikipedia, the U.S. government is committed under current law to mandatory payments for programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The GAO projects that payouts for these programs will significantly exceed tax revenues over the next 75 years. Net result: An Even Higher Tax Debt.)

Wake up America…time is NOT on your side, especially if you’re 40 years of age or older.

The economy is undergoing a fundamental change that signals less…not more prosperity. Most assuredly there is an increasing burden on individuals to shoulder more of the responsibility for their own financial future.

Younger, more mobile workers are being forced to build a retirement plan piecemeal, as they move more frequently from employer to employer. But, what about older workers who have just seen their retirement dreams blown to bits by the Wall Street investment banks? For many, there will be NO retirement.

And, the stock market WILL NOT recover fast enough for you to make up for all those losses. The Baby Boomer generation just became the Yo Yo generation (You’re On Your Own).

However, DO NOT DESPAIR. You have options. You can pull your retirement funds out of Wall Street (stocks, bonds and mutual funds) and move into an account that will allow you to invest in Main Street. In other words, invest into what you know by setting up a Self Directed IRA or 401(k) plan.

You’ll be able to invest in Commercial, Residential or International Real Estate,  Mortgages, Notes or Tax Liens. Or, you can invest in the Stock of a Private Company, buy a Franchise, or start a Business. And, there are many more options allowed by the IRS code.

Making the right investment choices will be the challenge. But, it’s a challenge worth pursuing because NOBODY is looking out for YOU.  You’re the only one who can do anything about your dilemma. So, get engaged now.

We’ll help you to navigate these very difficult and challenging times by helping you set up a Self Directed IRA, Checkbook IRA, Real Estate IRA, Solo 401(k) or Business Funding IRA.

The time to take control of your own retirement investing is now.  Contact us today to get started.

Safeguard Financial
www.IRA123.com
877-229-9763

While real estate prices may not quite have touched the bottom, foreign investors, including Canadians and Chinese, are snatching up bank owned, foreclosed and distressed properties all over the U.S.

Recently, CNNMoney.com, published an article entitled “Here Come The Real Estate Vultures”. The article stated “these are tempting times for real estate bargain hunters. Whether it’s the tony house down the street with an asking price that keeps dropping or office space at a deep discount, if you have the means, there are deals to be had”.

Not since 1976 have Canadians been able to participate in a meaningful way in the U.S. investment market. But, that’s all changed. The Canadian dollar is currently at par with the U.S. dollar and property values in the U.S. have plummeted, causing it to be a perfect time to buy.

Canadian investment in U.S. real estate more than doubled in one year, from 11 percent to 23.5 percent, making Canada the largest foreign real estate investor in the U.S. (Source: Sierra Vista Herald www.svherald.com)

ABC News reports that many wealthy Chinese have signed up for real estate tours of major U.S. cities wanting a piece of “mei guo”…the beautiful land. They’re buying foreclosed homes, high rise condos and real estate in the path of growth. It’s all about location, location, location.

And, Realtors aren’t waiting for the Chinese to come here, they’re setting up shop in China, equipped with home models, DVD tours and brochures to make the sales. (Read the ABC News report at ABCNews.com.)

It’s clear that real estate opportunities are abundant and now is the time to take the plunge and pick up some bargains for a Self Directed IRA/401(k) portfolio. For savvy investors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime proposition.

We have worked with dozens of investors in recent months who are picking up fantastic, rent-ready, near-new properties for less than they cost to build.

We can have you up and running in 20 to 30 days with a Self Directed Real Estate IRA. Contact us today to get started.

Safeguard Financial
www.IRA123.com
877-229-9763