Direct an investment
Direct your investment with confidence
Seamlessly manage your self-directed IRA investments with STRATA Trust Company.
Before you direct
To keep the process moving smoothly, make sure these steps are completed before investment direction instructions are submitted:
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Onboard new investments
If the asset is new to STRATA, we’ll complete a quick review to confirm it can be held in your IRA.
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Funding
Ensure your account has money available through a transfer, rollover, or annual contribution. This step is often the longest part of the investing process since timing depends on your current financial institution.
Timeline: Once funds are available and your direction form is submitted with the appropriate supporting documents, most investments are processed within 2–3 business days.
Step-by-step investment direction
Each investment type includes a step-by-step process and an estimated timeline. Use STRATA’s checklists to gather the right supporting documents, stay on track, and know what to expect along the way.
Private assets
Use the appropriate investment checklist below to gather all the documents you need and preview the approximate timeline. Download and save, email, or print!
Private Equity Investment Checklist
Private equity
Private equity investments are typically formed from start-ups, existing organizations raising capital for expansion, real estate ventures, and investment partnerships. Assets are commonly structured as private stock, LLC, LP, or an LLC-structured real estate offering.
Private Debt Investment Checklist
Private debt
Private debt investments can be made indirectly by investing with other investors in a pool or individually negotiated. In general terms, assets are commonly structured as secured debt, corporate debt, or convertible notes.
Private asset custody process
With a self-directed IRA, it’s important that investors complete their own due diligence on investments and investment promoters/advisors that they choose to work with – before investing. Learn more about a custodian’s limited role and visit Protect Yourself to find quick links, educational information, and tips to help you get started.
Step
Submit pre-custody documents (investment issuer)
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Provide offering documents and issuer representation letter for review. (Required for all equity and unsecured debt; secured debt may skip.)
Step
Open your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 1–2 business days
Submit your application and required documents online.
Step
Fund your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Transfer, roll over, or contribute funds to your account.
Step
Direct your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Authorize STRATA to send funds and register the investment.
Real estate
Use the appropriate investment checklist below to gather all the documents you need and preview the approximate timeline. Download and save, email, or print!
Directly Owned Investment Checklist
Directly owned
Directly owned real estate is when your IRA holds direct ownership of a real estate property. Begin with the Prohibited Transaction Self-Check, then review the Directly Owned Investment Checklist to understand timelines and what to expect throughout the process. This hands-on investment requires all expenses, taxes, and improvements to be paid from your IRA.
Private Equity Investment Checklist
LLC structured
An investment in a private LLC structured for a real estate offering is an equity structure that allows a group of people to invest in a real estate property, common for multifamily housing, commercial, or industrial properties. Refer to the Private Equity Investment Checklist to ensure a smooth investment purchase.
Directly owned real estate custody process
With a self-directed IRA, it’s important that investors complete their own due diligence on investments and ensure the investment is in compliance with IRC §4975 – before investing. Learn more about common real estate prohibited transactions.
Step
Open your IRA
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Submit your application and required documents online.
Step
Fund your IRA
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Transfer, rollover, or contribute funds to your account.
Step
Make offer
Timeline: 1–30 business days
Submit a purchase contract in the name of your IRA.
Step
Direct your IRA
Timeline: 1–3 business days
Authorize STRATA to send funds and process closing docs.
Step
Closing
Timeline: 1–3 business days
STRATA finalizes the purchase and records documents.
Gold & precious metals
Submission of investment direction instructions authorizes STRATA to send funds from the IRA to the precious metals dealer. Your IRA may purchase IRA-eligible precious metals from the dealer of your choice. STRATA does not buy, sell, or trade precious metals and is not affiliated with any dealers or their sales representatives. Use STRATA’s Precious Metals Investment Checklist to gather all the necessary documents and review the approximate timeline. Download and save, email, or print!
Precious metals investment disclosure
It’s important to understand the terms and conditions that apply to investing and holding precious metals in a STRATA account. Read this disclosure before you direct an investment in IRA-eligible precious metals.
Depository storage
Precious metals in a STRATA account must be physically delivered to and held with a third-party depository. When completing your investment direction to STRATA, you will be required to select a third-party depository where your precious metals will be safely stored and insured by the depository. Learn more about depositories and storage options.
Valuation/pricing of precious metals
Keep in mind that the pricing of precious metals varies from dealer to dealer, and the valuation reflected in your STRATA account will reflect the spot price and not the rate you were originally invoiced. Learn more.
Gold & precious metals process
With a self-directed IRA, it’s important that investors complete their own due diligence on investments and investment promoters/advisors that they choose to work with – before investing. Learn more about a custodian’s limited role and visit Protect Yourself to find quick links, educational information, and tips to help you get started.
Step
Open your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Submit your application and required documents online.
Step
Fund your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Transfer, rollover, or contribute funds to your account.
Step
Select your dealer (Investor + Precious metals dealer)
Timeline: Varies with dealer
Choose your dealer, place the buy order, and ensure new dealers submit a representation letter.
Step
Direct your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Submit STRATA’s Investment Direction form with dealer invoice, agreement, and storage selection.
Public investments
Use STRATA’s Public Investment Checklist to gather all the documents you need and preview the approximate timeline. Download and save, email, or print!
IRA-owned TradeStation account
TradeStation offers STRATA IRA account holders and their advisors the convenience of trading public stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and much more. Learn more about TradeStation and the application process here. If you already have an account set up with TradeStation, then you can use the link below to initiate the investment direction.
IRA-owned brokerage account
Not all public investments allow third-party registration; it is important to check with your investment issuer/broker prior to instructing STRATA to direct your investment. If you already have an account with a firm that allows third-party registration, use the link below to initiate the investment direction.
Public investments custody process
With a self-directed IRA, it’s important that investors complete their own due diligence on investments and investment promoters/advisors that they choose to work with – before investing. Learn more about a custodian’s limited role and visit Protect Yourself to find quick links, educational information, and tips to help you get started.
Step
Open your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Submit your application and required documents online.
Step
Fund your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Transfer, rollover, or contribute funds to your account.
Step
Direct your IRA (Investor)
Timeline: 2–3 business days
Submit STRATA’s Investment Direction form with brokerage or public investment application.
Leverage idle cash
It’s common for excess cash to accumulate in a self-directed IRA, especially after an asset is sold and before a new investment is made. While liquidity has advantages, leaving too much cash uninvested may limit your account’s long-term potential.
A brokerage account within your SDIRA provides access to public market investments, helping you keep funds working until you are ready to direct them to your next alternative asset. Explore how public investment options can complement your strategy through your STRATA IRA.
Need help? We're here for you
Our Client Services team is here to help—reach out for quick, personalized support.
A smarter way to invest starts here
Open: Choose the type of IRA that fits your goals and complete our quick online application.
Fund: Transfer funds from another IRA, roll over a 401(k), or make a new contribution.
Invest: Tell us where to direct your investment—we’ll manage custodial details while you start enjoying the tax advantages.
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