Real estate professional
Support real estate strategies with self-directed IRAs
Help your clients use their real estate expertise to build retirement wealth. STRATA makes it easy to hold residential, commercial, and other property in an IRA.
Why self-directed IRAs
No one understands real estate like the professionals who work in it every day. At STRATA, we help agents, brokers, and other real estate professionals offer clients a flexible way to buy, sell, or hold property as part of a self-directed IRA.
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Expanded options: Offer clients the ability to hold real estate directly within their IRA portfolio.
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Simplified transactions: Handle purchase, sale, and expense transactions with ease.
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Compliance & reporting: Ensure proper titling, record keeping, and reporting.
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Specialized expertise: Work with a dedicated team experienced in real estate IRA transactions.
Provide direct access to real estate investments
With a self-directed IRA, your clients can choose from a range of real estate assets to fit their investment goals, including:
Residential property
Single family or multi-unit homes for rental income or appreciation.
Apartment buildings and condominiums
Office buildings, retail spaces, or other incoming-producing properties.
Commercial property
Multi-family units for long-term rental income.
Improved or unimproved land
Property ready for development or held for future sale.
Income-producing property
Any real estate generating rental or lease income.
Enhance your service offerings
Self-directed IRAs enable real estate professionals to offer clients the ability to use retirement funds for real estate investments—all within IRS guidelines and in a tax-advantaged environment.
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Tax-advantaged investing
Allow clients to hold real estate directly in their retirement accounts.
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Ensure compliance
Transactions are processed in line with IRS requirements for self-directed IRAs.
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Rely on expert support
Gain access to a team experienced in real estate and alternative asset custody.
Support for real estate professionals
STRATA makes it simple to manage ongoing investor activity with quick access to forms, confirmations, and contact points. Below are common requests and tools to help you work more efficiently with your clients.
real estate essentials
Onboard the investment
Investor will need to submit the purchase contract along with investment details to STRATA for a pre-custody review.
Preparing the contract
The contract must list the IRA as the buyer: STRATA Trust Company, Custodian FBO [Accountholder Name] IRA [Account #]. The accountholder cannot be listed personally, and the contract cannot later be reassigned or amended to name the IRA.
Earnest money deposit
Investor will need to complete STRATA’s Earnest Money Deposit Authorization form; funds must come from the IRA. Using personal funds will disqualify the transaction.
Signing the contract
Investor wll need to mark “Read & Approved” on each page that requires a signature or initial. STRATA will then sign as custodian of the IRA. You may submit contracts and post-closing documents to the email below.
real estate purchase steps
Direct
Timeline: 1–3 business days
Investor authorizes STRATA to send funds and process closing documents.
Fund
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
STRATA is reliant on other financial institutions' timelines. It is critical to start the funding process as soon as possible. Investors can choose to transfer, roll over, or contribute funds to their account.
Closing
Timeline: 1–3 business days
STRATA finalizes the purchase and records documents.
Offer
Timeline: 1–30 business days
Once funds have been received by STRATA, submit a purchase contract in the name of the investor's IRA.
Knowing prohibited transactions and investments helps investors avoid SDIRA mistakes
Penalty warning: Engaging in prohibited transactions can cause the entire IRA to be treated as fully distributed, triggering immediate taxes and potential penalties.
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Self-dealing
Investors cannot personally benefit from your IRA investments, such as using an IRA-owned property for personal use.
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Transactions with disqualified persons
You cannot lend money to, borrow from, or do business with close family members, business partners, or companies where you have a controlling interest.
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Using personal funds
All investments must be paid for through the IRA. Using personal accounts or outside funds is not permitted. In addition, all income and expenses related to the investment must flow through the IRA.
Leverage our expertise
Work with a dedicated team that understands the unique needs of real estate professionals.
A smarter way to invest starts here
Open: Investors select the IRA type that fits their goals and complete STRATA’s online application.
Fund: Investors transfer funds from an existing IRA, roll over a 401(k), or make a new contribution.
Invest: Investors provide funding instructions, and STRATA handles the custody, paperwork, and reporting so transactions stay seamless.
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