On Wall Street or Main Street - it’s tough out there for investors! However, the combination of credit-market dynamics and inevitable balance sheet “repair” necessary by most financial institutions - will provide exceptionally compelling real estate investment opportunities over the next few years.

In order to maximize the unique opportunities that frozen credit markets and damaged bank balance sheets provide, investors will need to reallocate a percentage of their approximately $12 trillion “conventional” stock and bond retirement fund (IRA’s, 401(k)s and the like) assets – into real estate assets! How can this reallocation be accomplished? The Self-Directed IRA!

Self-directed IRAs can invest in real estate including commercial properties, raw land, rental properties, mobile homes, tax-liens, tax certificates, billboards, boat slips, condominiums, trust deeds and mortgages. Self-directed IRAs can also be used to invest in traditional stock, bond and mutual fund offerings.

Why haven’t I heard about Self-Directed IRAs? Wall Street broker dealers, money managers and retirement plan providers have a vested fee and commission interest to restrict your IRA investment options to only those - stock, bond and mutual fund investments - that their firm offers.

How can I find out more about Self-Directed IRA’s? www.altbridge.com provides objective, unbiased information on Self-Directed IRAs plus access to a network of Professional Solution Providers willing to help you find out more!

Bloomberg news reported today that a California film producer says that retirement money (through a Self-Directed IRA) may provide individuals the opportunity to ”play movie mogul!”

Unified Pictures founder and producer Keith Kjarval is seeking funds from Individual Retirement Accounts to help finance his productions, including the soon-to-be released “J-23” and the pre-production “55 Holly Star.”

Kjarval says he’s offering an alternative for people dissatisfied with traditional investment returns such as stock orbond mutual funds. Self-directed IRAs have been used to fund new businesses, invest in real estate, commodities, and now even a small piece of Hollywood.

The IRA option “makes it more attractive for people once they’ve made the decision,” said Kjarval, 34, whose company is based in Northridge, California. “It opens up an entirely different door to them.”

Not following the rules for self-directed IRAs can result in an immediate 10 percent penalty, plus taxes on the amount withdrawn. Consequently, you need to find a custodian familiar with self-directed IRAs to handle the paperwork and manage the funds. That helps avoid the biggest pitfall, “self-dealing,” or using the investment in some way that gives you a short-term benefit.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service rules are designed to encourage and protect long-term investments. If you use a portion of an IRA in a prohibited transaction such as investing in collectables and life-insurance contracts, the IRS will treat the violation as a premature IRA withdrawal, meaning your entire IRA

Kjarval says he’s upfront about the risks facing potential investors. He says many backers typically have more than $10 million of assets and many, but not all, know the movie business.“J-23” was one-quarter financed with retirement money. Unified has three films in production and three have been completed and
licensed overseas, according to Kjarval. One of the films has been released in the U.S. The producer says he’s preparing reports on how the films have done as investments.

Stay tuned…..

Have you ever considered a retirement account option that can actually reduce your exposure to stock market volatility & uncertainty? How about a retirement account that enables you to invest in tangible assets with increased principal protection and reduces your exposure to corporate scandal? Have you ever considered or even heard about a self-directed IRA? If you have a stock broker, money manager or retirement plan provider - probably not!

Why? Wall Street broker dealers, money managers and retirement plan providers are compensated by selling only those investments and investment products offered by their firms - stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Consequently, they have a vested financial interest not to discuss the powerful, wealth-building capacity of self-directed IRAs! 

A self-directed IRA enables investment in real estate including commercial properties, raw land, rental properties, mobile homes, tax-liens, tax certificates, billboards, boat slips, condominiums, trust deeds and mortgages. Entrepreneurs can use their self-directed IRA for initial, start-up capital!

Would you like to find out more? www.AltBridge.com provides information on self-directed IRAs plus access to a network of Professional Solution Providers!

The New York Times reported in December 2007 that half of America’s workers had an employer-sponsored pension plan in 1979. That number was 46% in 1988 and about 22% in 2006, and the decline continues.

The trend is clear. More and more of us are on our own to save for retirement. But there are solutions that can offer reduced exposure to stock market volatility, greater principal protection for investments, and increased investment control over traditional stocks and mutual funds.

The Self-Directed IRA puts investment decision control in the hands of the person making the contributions. The term “self-directed” means that you are choosing your IRA investments!

Of course it’s best to work with a professional who has knowledge and experience as Self-Directed IRAs allow for a wide range of investment options – from franchises to mortgages to foreign property – and much more!

That’s why the smart investor looks to find the most appropriate Financial Planners & Investment Advisor’s for their specific needs. It’s also smart to have access to other local professionals such as Attorneys, Trustees and Accountants to help you find out more about your investment options.

A company like www.altbridge.com provides objective, unbiased information on Self-Directed IRAs plus access to a network of Professional Solution Providers to help you find out more!