Best SDIRA Company for Real Estate Investors?

If you’re an active or aspiring real estate investor and you haven’t explored how to use retirement funds to fuel your deals—you’re missing a huge opportunity. I get this question all the time: “Jorge, who’s the best SDIRA company for real estate investors?”

After over 20 years in the business, completing more than 3,500 transactions, and managing over 300 properties, I can tell you this: the answer is clear. The best SDIRA company for real estate investors is Advanta IRA.

This article isn’t just theory. I’m going to walk you through:

• Why real estate investors should be using Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs)

• The specific types of accounts you can roll over with no tax hit

• What you can invest in with your IRA

• What IRS rules you absolutely must follow

• Real deals I’ve personally done using Advanta IRA

• And who else is worth considering if you want other solid options

Let’s dive in.

What Is a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)?

A Self-Directed IRA is a type of retirement account that gives you full control over how your money is invested. Unlike a traditional IRA held at a big-name bank or brokerage where you’re limited to stocks and mutual funds, an SDIRA lets you invest in:

• Real estate

• Private notes

• Private businesses

• Tax liens

• Gold, crypto, and more

And the best part? It maintains the same tax advantages—either tax-deferred (Traditional) or tax-free (Roth).

So why haven’t most people heard of it? Because the big brokerages don’t offer it. They make money when you stay invested in their products. Self-direction takes control away from them and gives it back to you.

What Retirement Funds Can Be Used (With No Tax Consequences)?

If you’re wondering, “Can I use my existing retirement funds?” The answer is yes. Here are the account types that can be rolled over into a Self-Directed IRA:

• Traditional IRA

• Roth IRA

• SEP IRA

• SIMPLE IRA

• Former employer 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or 457 plans

When done correctly, these rollovers are non-taxable events.

I’ve helped team members, clients, and private lenders move funds from their old 401(k)s into SDIRAs to buy property, fund second mortgages, and invest in notes—and not once have they triggered taxes doing it the right way.

What Can You Invest In with a Real Estate SDIRA?

If you’re focused on real estate like I am, here’s what you can do with your SDIRA:

• Buy rental properties

• Flip houses (with caution around IRS rules)

• Purchase land or mobile homes

• Invest in real estate syndications

• Fund private loans as a lender

• Participate in joint ventures (if structured properly)

And yes, you can buy property with leverage using non-recourse loans. Just know that if you use financing inside an SDIRA, you might owe taxes on Unrelated Debt-Financed Income (UDFI).

Rules You MUST Follow When Using an SDIRA

Here are the critical IRS rules. Break these and you’re in trouble:

• You cannot live in or personally use the property.

• You can’t do the repairs yourself. All work must be done by third-party contractors.

• You cannot rent the property to yourself or a disqualified person (like your spouse, kids, parents).

• All expenses must be paid by the IRA, not from your personal bank account.

• All income must go back to the IRA.

Follow these rules and you keep your account compliant. Break them, and the IRS can disqualify your IRA.

My Real Experience with Advanta IRA (Why They’re the Best)

I’ve worked with Advanta IRA since January 14, 2019. Their team knows real estate investing, and they know how to move fast when deals are on the line.

Here are just a few of the real-world deals I’ve done through them:

Deal #1: Helping a Team Member Use His IRA to Lend

In January 2022, I introduced my manager Peter to Scott Maurer at Advanta IRA. Peter had $130,000 in his IRA and wanted to lend it.

I emailed Scott directly:

“Peter has around 130k in his IRA to invest in real estate. Can you go over all options with him? My favorite option is to open a company and fully fund it by buying stocks from it.”

Scott walked him through the setup, explained checkbook control, and got him investing in real estate within weeks.

Deal #2: 900 Captiva Point, Lakeland, FL

In January 2023, Peter funded a second mortgage through his IRA on this property.

Loan size: $70K–$90K
Term: 5 years interest-only at 10%

We looped in Scott and the title team early so there were no delays. It was smooth, compliant, and the kind of fast close investors dream about.

Deal #3: IRA Client Lending on a Flip (2020)

In March 2020, I had another investor ready to fund a flip through their SDIRA. I texted and emailed Scott: “I have a client for you.”

Scott helped with the loan documents, custodial approval, and wire processing—and the client earned double-digit returns back into their retirement account.

This is why I trust Advanta. They don’t just check boxes. They know the game.

The Documents You’ll Need (Real Deal Walkthrough)

When someone invests in your deal using their SDIRA, these are the documents you can expect to handle:

1. Notes Purchase Authorization – The IRA owner authorizes the loan.

2. Investment Acknowledgment & Waiver – Confirms the investor did their own due diligence.

3. Loan or Promissory Note – Between the IRA and you (or your company).

4. Collateral documents (if it’s a secured loan)

5. Funding Instructions (ACH, wire, check)

6. Electronic Signatures (DocuSign) for fast, secure sign-off

We’ve used all of these in the deals above. It’s a system that works.

Other Great SDIRA Custodians (Honorary Mentions)

While Advanta is my top recommendation, here are some other solid custodians that investors frequently use:

1. Quest Trust Company

• Strong educational resources

• Popular with private lenders and note investors

• Based in Texas

• questtrustcompany.com

2. Equity Trust Company

• One of the largest SDIRA custodians in the U.S.

• Offers real estate, crypto, and more

• More corporate feel

• trustetc.com

3. The Entrust Group

• Over 40 years in business

• Ideal for complex and multi-asset portfolios

• theentrustgroup.com

4. Madison Trust

• Transparent flat-fee pricing

• Good for checkbook LLCs

• madisontrust.com

5. uDirect IRA

• Helpful for first-timers

• Personalized support

• udirectira.com

6. Alto IRA

• Tech-savvy, low-fee platform

• Great for simple real estate deals or startups

• altoira.com

What to Ask When Choosing a Custodian

Before picking a custodian, ask these five questions:

1. Do you support real estate transactions and private lending?

2. How fast can you fund deals?

3. What are your transaction and holding fees?

4. Can you help with checkbook control LLCs?

5. Do I get a dedicated contact person?

With Advanta, my answers are always yes, fast, and transparent.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a real estate investor and you’re not tapping into retirement accounts—yours or your lender’s—you’re missing one of the most powerful tools in the industry.

Advanta IRA has helped me do deals, scale my portfolio, and help others grow their retirement income safely and strategically.

Whether it’s setting up an account, lending on a flip, or funding a second mortgage like 900 Captiva Point—they deliver.

If you want an intro to Scott Maurer at Advanta, I’m happy to connect you.

Written by Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group & Coach at Property Profit Academy
Let me teach you how at propertyprofitacademy.com

Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you! Ready to connect and strategize? Contact me at graystoneig.com/ceo – Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group & its subsidiary companies and Coach at Property Profit Academy.

Disclaimer:

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on personal experience and publicly available research at the time of writing. We are not affiliated with, compensated by, or formally endorsing any SDIRA companies listed—except where disclosed through direct transactions. Readers are advised to conduct their own due diligence and consult with a licensed financial, legal, or tax advisor before making any investment decisions or engaging with the companies mentioned. No part of this article constitutes financial advice or a recommendation to invest.

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Meet our Team of Experts!

My team and I bring over 20 years of real estate experience, with deep roots in Florida’s investment scene. As a licensed MLO, I’ve helped close millions in loans and investor acquisitions. We’ve built strong relationships with wholesalers, probate attorneys, and sellers to source real deals—not just listings. My goal is simple: align your investments with your vision and deliver results that exceed expectations. Connect with Cody at https://graystoneig.com/cody

Hi, I’m Lisa-Kaye Price, Real Estate Lending Specialist at Graystone Investment Group. With 20 years of experience as both a licensed Realtor® and Mortgage Loan Originator, I specialize in helping investors secure smart financing for powerful real estate moves. Let’s connect and talk strategy! Connect with Lisa at https://graystoneig.com/lisa-kaye-price

Jay Michalec is the COO of Graystone Investment Group and a proud U.S. Army veteran. With 25 years in hospitality, Jay brings leadership, service, and operational excellence to real estate. He’s known for keeping things running smoothly and supporting both the team and clients every step of the way. 📅 Connect with Jay: https://graystoneig.com/jay