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DISCLAIMER: Vantage Retirement Plans LLC does not offer investment, tax, financial, or legal advice nor do we endorse any products, investments, or companies that offer such advice and/or investments. All parties are strongly encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with the appropriate professional(s) licensed in that area before entering into any type of investment.
Getting started is easy - fill out a few online forms and provide your government ID.
Get started in 3 easy steps
Transfer existing IRA funds, rollover an old 401k or contribute directly.
Use your IRA to invest
in real estate or other
alternative assets of your choice.
Popular Investment Options
The Real Estate Podcast
Listen to HomeSmart Chief Business Development Officer, Carol Perry, share how she uses a Vantage
Self-Directed IRA to grow her wealth through real estate.
You deserve control over your retirement savings.
We offer the IRA to help you take it.
VANTAGE
By The Numbers
Assets Under Administration
$3B+
Vantage Retirement Plans, LLC
8742 E Via de Commercio, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
REGISTER FOR A WEBINARFrequently Asked Questions
What is the HomeSmart Retirement Program?
Have you always dreamed of having 401(k)-type benefits as a real estate
agent to make saving for retirement easier? HomeSmart and Vantage
have partnered to make your dreams a reality! The HomeSmart
Retirement Program simplifies retirement savings with a Self-Directed IRA
(SDIRA) and gives you the control to invest outside the stock market in
things like real estate, private entities, and more— all with added tax
benefits!
So, how does it work?
The HomeSmart Commission Deferral Option works like an employer
401(k) by allowing you to contribute a percentage of your future
commissions directly to your IRA. Saving for retirement just became
easier! The best part? You have the flexibility to start and stop the
commission deferrals at any time. Is it optional? You bet. If you prefer to
keep 100% of your HomeSmart commissions and make your own IRA
contributions throughout the year, that's okay! This feature is like icing on
the cake, but not a requirement for enrolling in the program.
It’s that simple! The HomeSmart Retirement Program offers you the ease
of saving plus the control to invest in real estate and other alternative
asset classes– with attractive tax benefits. A real estate agent’s dream
come true!
What is a Self-Directed IRA?
Have you felt limited by traditional stock market-based retirement
accounts? Say hello to Self-Directed IRAs!
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA), is a type of retirement account that gives you
more control and flexibility over where you invest your retirement funds.
Unlike a traditional brokerage IRA (i.e. Charles Schwab, Fidelity, etc.),
where your investment options are limited to stocks, bonds, or mutual
funds, a Self-Directed IRA allows you to invest in alternative asset classes
like real estate, private equity, start-ups, private lending, and more.
Want to invest in that rental property or fix and flip you've been eyeing?
With a Self-Directed IRA, you can do just that. As a real estate agent, you
might find a Self-Directed IRA appealing because you can use it to invest
in properties, whether it's for rental income or potential appreciation. Think
of it this way: you can leverage your knowledge of the real estate market
to grow your retirement savings in a way that makes you more
comfortable. With a Self-Directed IRA, you call the shots on where to
invest your hard-earned savings!
So, what’s the benefit of having a Self-Directed IRA? It's simple: more
investment options, greater control, added tax benefits, and greater
potential for gains. It's your retirement future – why not make it as diverse
and exciting as possible?
How do I enroll in the HomeSmart Retirement Program?
It’s simple! The process of enrolling can be completed in less than 10
minutes. It’s as easy as opening and funding the account, highlighted in
these five steps:
- CLICK ENROLL
- Choose the type of Self-Directed IRA you prefer to open, such as Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE.
- Complete a few online forms including beneficiary information
- Provide a copy of your government ID
- Fund your account
Wasn’t that easy?
What type of Self-Directed IRA should I open?(Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE)
Is your goal to maximize your tax deductions as much as possible? Are
you in a position to contribute as much of your income as the government
allows? The type of IRA you should open at Vantage depends on your
personal financial goals and tax situation. The same government rules and
contribution limits apply to Self-Directed IRAs just like traditional IRAs that
you would see at Fidelity or Charles Schwab. The only difference with a
Self-Directed IRA is you can invest in real estate and other assets outside
the stock market.
An easy rule of thumb: If you already have an IRA at another institution
and want to transfer the balance to your new Vantage account, you can
open the same type of IRA here and move the funds. For example, if you
have a Roth IRA at Fidelity, you'd open a Roth IRA at Vantage and transfer
the funds. If you have a Traditional IRA at Charles Schwab, you can
transfer it to a Traditional (or SEP) IRA at Vantage.
Something to consider: As a self-employed real estate agent, you might
find the SEP IRA appealing because of its higher contribution limit, which
can be helpful if you’re looking to maximize your contributions and make
larger investments with your retirement savings. But the right choice
depends on your unique situation and financial goals.
Curious about the IRA differences and contribution limits?
Click here
How do I fund my account?
Do you have an existing IRA? Easy! You can transfer all or a
portion of the IRA funds from your current financial institution into a
Vantage Self-Directed IRA with no transfer or penalty fees. For
example, if you have a Traditional IRA at Fidelity, you can transfer
the IRA from Fidelity to a Traditional or SEP Self-Directed IRA at
Vantage.
Do you have an old 401(k) from a former employer? Easy! You
can move all or a portion of the funds from your old 401(k) or 403(b)
into a Vantage Self-Directed IRA with no rollover or penalty fees. For
example, if you have an old 401(k) at Charles Schwab, you can
move all or a portion of the funds from Charles Schwab to a new
Self-Directed IRA at Vantage.
Do you have cash burning a hole in your pocket? You can open
a Self-Directed IRA at Vantage with a direct contribution from your
personal checking or savings account, via check, wire, or ACH.
Note: Vantage requires a $100 minimum balance to open your
account.
Let’s get started!
What are the Vantage Fees?
At Vantage, we’re proud to have competitive and transparent low fees.
Here's a breakdown:
- One-time Account Set-Up Fee: $50– waived for HomeSmartagents!
- Annual Administration Fee: $395 per asset or $100 per mortgageliability.
- Transaction Fee: $125 for any purchase, sale, exchange, payoff, or re-registration of assets or liabilities.
Bonus? At Vantage, you won’t find additional asset management fees you
would typically find at traditional Wall Street-based brokerages. We keep
our pricing straightforward so you can focus on your investments.
Who is Vantage?
We believe Money is Personal™, and there’s no person better than YOU
to decide how to invest your hard-earned savings. With a Vantage
Self-Directed IRA, you call the shots and control where your investment
savings go. We specialize in helping you take charge of your retirement
funds by providing you with the tools and services to invest outside the
stock market, in things like real estate, private equity, private lending, and
more. Think of us like Charles Schwab, but instead of being limited to
stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, with a Vantage Self-Directed IRA, the
sky is the limit with alternative investment options. We take care of the
paperwork, reporting to the IRS, and make sure your investment
transactions run smoothly. While we don’t give investment or legal advice
or endorse any products, we’re here to execute your instructions efficiently
and support you in growing your retirement savings your way.
You deserve control over your retirement savings.
We offer the IRA to help you take it.
What investment options are available with a Self-Directed IRA?
Who doesn’t like having many options? Imagine walking into an ice cream
shop and being limited to choosing from only chocolate or vanilla.
With a Self-Directed IRA, you have total freedom and flexibility to invest in
a wide array of alternative assets (flavors) beyond traditional stocks and
bonds (chocolate and vanilla.) As a real estate agent, you'll appreciate the
ability to invest in
real estate, whether that's residential, commercial, or
land. But your options don't stop there.
You can also consider other alternative investments such as:
- Private Equity: This includes investments in privately heldcompanies.
- Private Lending: You can act as a lender, offering loans to others and earning interest on your investment.
- Precious Metals: Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are common choices.
- Limited Partnerships: This can include investing in partnerships that focus on real estate, oil and gas, or other industries.
- Cryptocurrency: Many investors are exploring digital currencies like Bitcoin.
The best part about having a Self-Directed IRA is that you can choose how
you want to diversify your retirement portfolio and where you want to
invest your funds. Sounds like the cherry on top of the sundae!
What types of transactions are prohibited in a Self-Directed IRA? (What are the investment limitations of a SDIRA, if any?)
Are there any rules? Of course. In a Self-Directed IRA, certain transactions
are prohibited so your retirement money is safe and growing. These
typically involve using your IRA funds for current personal benefit or
engaging in transactions with certain family members or related parties.
For example, you can't buy a vacation home with your SDIRA and use it
for personal vacations, as this would be considered self-dealing and could
lead to tax penalties.
The IRS has these rules in place to make sure your SDIRA remains a tool
for growing your retirement savings and not for current personal use or
gain. It's all about protecting your financial future and following IRS
guidelines for responsible investing.
Check out our simple guide for avoiding Prohibited Transactions:
Vantage
Related Parties Worksheet
Can I earn a commission on my personal real estate IRA investment?
Sounds great, right? This is a common and understandable question to
ask as an agent. You might naturally think it would be fine to earn a
commission when representing yourself in a deal involving your
Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA). However, the IRS has strict rules to protect
your retirement funds and maintain their tax-advantaged status.
Earning a commission on your own IRA real estate investment is
considered self-dealing because you would personally benefit from the
transaction. The IRS wants to avoid any conflicts of interest or situations
where you might use your IRA to generate income for yourself in a way
that's not related to your retirement.
Instead, keep your IRA investments and your personal deals separate.
Something to note: commonly, agents will negotiate the contract price or
other costs instead of collecting a commission. It’s all about making sure
your Self-Directed IRA stays compliant with IRS regulations while keeping
your retirement savings protected.
Can I transfer the rental properties I own into a Self-Directed IRA?
Sounds logical, right? While it might seem reasonable to move your
current rental properties into a new Self-Directed IRA, unfortunately, the
IRS doesn't allow it. What’s the reason? Moving existing properties that
you already own into your SDIRA is considered a "self-dealing"
transaction.
Self-dealing means using your IRA to benefit yourself or someone closely
related to you (like a family member.) The IRS prohibits this because it
could compromise the tax-advantaged status of your retirement account.
Essentially, you're not supposed to personally benefit from your IRA's
investments before retirement.
The good news? If you want to invest in real estate with your SDIRA, you
can purchase new properties directly through the account. This keeps your
investments separate from your personal assets and ensures your SDIRA
remains compliant with IRS rules. It's all about navigating within the
guidelines to maximize investment potential and maintaining compliance at
the same time.
What is the HomeSmart Retirement Program?
Have you always dreamed of having 401(k)-type benefits as a real estate
agent to make saving for retirement easier? HomeSmart and Vantage
have partnered to make your dreams a reality! The HomeSmart
Retirement Program simplifies retirement savings with a Self-Directed IRA
(SDIRA) and gives you the control to invest outside the stock market in
things like real estate, private entities, and more— all with added tax
benefits!
So, how does it work?
The HomeSmart Commission Deferral Option works like an employer
401(k) by allowing you to contribute a percentage of your future
commissions directly to your IRA. Saving for retirement just became
easier! The best part? You have the flexibility to start and stop the
commission deferrals at any time. Is it optional? You bet. If you prefer to
keep 100% of your HomeSmart commissions and make your own IRA
contributions throughout the year, that's okay! This feature is like icing on
the cake, but not a requirement for enrolling in the program.
It’s that simple! The HomeSmart Retirement Program offers you the ease
of saving plus the control to invest in real estate and other alternative
asset classes– with attractive tax benefits. A real estate agent’s dream
come true!
What is a Self-Directed IRA?
Have you felt limited by traditional stock market-based retirement
accounts? Say hello to Self-Directed IRAs!
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA), is a type of retirement account that gives you
more control and flexibility over where you invest your retirement funds.
Unlike a traditional brokerage IRA (i.e. Charles Schwab, Fidelity, etc.),
where your investment options are limited to stocks, bonds, or mutual
funds, a Self-Directed IRA allows you to invest in alternative asset classes
like real estate, private equity, start-ups, private lending, and more.
Want to invest in that rental property or fix and flip you've been eyeing?
With a Self-Directed IRA, you can do just that. As a real estate agent, you
might find a Self-Directed IRA appealing because you can use it to invest
in properties, whether it's for rental income or potential appreciation. Think
of it this way: you can leverage your knowledge of the real estate market
to grow your retirement savings in a way that makes you more
comfortable. With a Self-Directed IRA, you call the shots on where to
invest your hard-earned savings!
So, what’s the benefit of having a Self-Directed IRA? It's simple: more
investment options, greater control, added tax benefits, and greater
potential for gains. It's your retirement future – why not make it as diverse
and exciting as possible?
How do I enroll in the HomeSmart Retirement Program?
It’s simple! The process of enrolling can be completed in less than 10
minutes. It’s as easy as opening and funding the account, highlighted in
these five steps:
- CLICK ENROLL
- Choose the type of Self-Directed IRA you prefer to open, such as Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE.
- Complete a few online forms including beneficiary information
- Provide a copy of your government ID
- Fund your account
Wasn’t that easy?
What type of Self-Directed IRA should I open?(Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE)
Is your goal to maximize your tax deductions as much as possible? Are
you in a position to contribute as much of your income as the government
allows? The type of IRA you should open at Vantage depends on your
personal financial goals and tax situation. The same government rules and
contribution limits apply to Self-Directed IRAs just like traditional IRAs that
you would see at Fidelity or Charles Schwab. The only difference with a
Self-Directed IRA is you can invest in real estate and other assets outside
the stock market.
An easy rule of thumb: If you already have an IRA at another institution
and want to transfer the balance to your new Vantage account, you can
open the same type of IRA here and move the funds. For example, if you
have a Roth IRA at Fidelity, you'd open a Roth IRA at Vantage and transfer
the funds. If you have a Traditional IRA at Charles Schwab, you can
transfer it to a Traditional (or SEP) IRA at Vantage.
Something to consider: As a self-employed real estate agent, you might
find the SEP IRA appealing because of its higher contribution limit, which
can be helpful if you’re looking to maximize your contributions and make
larger investments with your retirement savings. But the right choice
depends on your unique situation and financial goals.
Curious about the IRA differences and contribution limits?
Click here
How do I fund my account?
Do you have an existing IRA? Easy! You can transfer all or a
portion of the IRA funds from your current financial institution into a
Vantage Self-Directed IRA with no transfer or penalty fees. For
example, if you have a Traditional IRA at Fidelity, you can transfer
the IRA from Fidelity to a Traditional or SEP Self-Directed IRA at
Vantage.
Do you have an old 401(k) from a former employer? Easy! You
can move all or a portion of the funds from your old 401(k) or 403(b)
into a Vantage Self-Directed IRA with no rollover or penalty fees. For
example, if you have an old 401(k) at Charles Schwab, you can
move all or a portion of the funds from Charles Schwab to a new
Self-Directed IRA at Vantage.
Do you have cash burning a hole in your pocket? You can open
a Self-Directed IRA at Vantage with a direct contribution from your
personal checking or savings account, via check, wire, or ACH.
Note: Vantage requires a $100 minimum balance to open your
account.
Let’s get started!
What are the Vantage Fees?
At Vantage, we’re proud to have competitive and transparent low fees.
Here's a breakdown:
- One-time Account Set-Up Fee: $50– waived for HomeSmartagents!
- Annual Administration Fee: $395 per asset or $100 per mortgageliability.
- Transaction Fee: $125 for any purchase, sale, exchange, payoff, or re-registration of assets or liabilities.
Bonus? At Vantage, you won’t find additional asset management fees you
would typically find at traditional Wall Street-based brokerages. We keep
our pricing straightforward so you can focus on your investments.
Who is Vantage?
We believe Money is Personal™, and there’s no person better than YOU
to decide how to invest your hard-earned savings. With a Vantage
Self-Directed IRA, you call the shots and control where your investment
savings go. We specialize in helping you take charge of your retirement
funds by providing you with the tools and services to invest outside the
stock market, in things like real estate, private equity, private lending, and
more. Think of us like Charles Schwab, but instead of being limited to
stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, with a Vantage Self-Directed IRA, the
sky is the limit with alternative investment options. We take care of the
paperwork, reporting to the IRS, and make sure your investment
transactions run smoothly. While we don’t give investment or legal advice
or endorse any products, we’re here to execute your instructions efficiently
and support you in growing your retirement savings your way.
You deserve control over your retirement savings.
We offer the IRA to help you take it.
What investment options are available with a Self-Directed IRA?
Who doesn’t like having many options? Imagine walking into an ice cream
shop and being limited to choosing from only chocolate or vanilla.
With a Self-Directed IRA, you have total freedom and flexibility to invest in
a wide array of alternative assets (flavors) beyond traditional stocks and
bonds (chocolate and vanilla.) As a real estate agent, you'll appreciate the
ability to invest in
real estate, whether that's residential, commercial, or
land. But your options don't stop there.
You can also consider other alternative investments such as:
- Private Equity: This includes investments in privately heldcompanies.
- Private Lending: You can act as a lender, offering loans to others and earning interest on your investment.
- Precious Metals: Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are common choices.
- Limited Partnerships: This can include investing in partnerships that focus on real estate, oil and gas, or other industries.
- Cryptocurrency: Many investors are exploring digital currencies like Bitcoin.
The best part about having a Self-Directed IRA is that you can choose how
you want to diversify your retirement portfolio and where you want to
invest your funds. Sounds like the cherry on top of the sundae!
What types of transactions are prohibited in a Self-Directed IRA? (What are the investment limitations of a SDIRA, if any?)
Are there any rules? Of course. In a Self-Directed IRA, certain transactions
are prohibited so your retirement money is safe and growing. These
typically involve using your IRA funds for current personal benefit or
engaging in transactions with certain family members or related parties.
For example, you can't buy a vacation home with your SDIRA and use it
for personal vacations, as this would be considered self-dealing and could
lead to tax penalties.
The IRS has these rules in place to make sure your SDIRA remains a tool
for growing your retirement savings and not for current personal use or
gain. It's all about protecting your financial future and following IRS
guidelines for responsible investing.
Check out our simple guide for avoiding Prohibited Transactions:
Vantage
Related Parties Worksheet
Can I earn a commission on my personal real estate IRA investment?
Sounds great, right? This is a common and understandable question to
ask as an agent. You might naturally think it would be fine to earn a
commission when representing yourself in a deal involving your
Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA). However, the IRS has strict rules to protect
your retirement funds and maintain their tax-advantaged status.
Earning a commission on your own IRA real estate investment is
considered self-dealing because you would personally benefit from the
transaction. The IRS wants to avoid any conflicts of interest or situations
where you might use your IRA to generate income for yourself in a way
that's not related to your retirement.
Instead, keep your IRA investments and your personal deals separate.
Something to note: commonly, agents will negotiate the contract price or
other costs instead of collecting a commission. It’s all about making sure
your Self-Directed IRA stays compliant with IRS regulations while keeping
your retirement savings protected.
Can I transfer the rental properties I own into a Self-Directed IRA?
Sounds logical, right? While it might seem reasonable to move your
current rental properties into a new Self-Directed IRA, unfortunately, the
IRS doesn't allow it. What’s the reason? Moving existing properties that
you already own into your SDIRA is considered a "self-dealing"
transaction.
Self-dealing means using your IRA to benefit yourself or someone closely
related to you (like a family member.) The IRS prohibits this because it
could compromise the tax-advantaged status of your retirement account.
Essentially, you're not supposed to personally benefit from your IRA's
investments before retirement.
The good news? If you want to invest in real estate with your SDIRA, you
can purchase new properties directly through the account. This keeps your
investments separate from your personal assets and ensures your SDIRA
remains compliant with IRS rules. It's all about navigating within the
guidelines to maximize investment potential and maintaining compliance at
the same time.
Enjoy tax-deferred growth on your investments.
How do you benefit?
By enrolling, you can:
How does it work?
480.240.4116 | SRoberts@VantageIRAs.com
Have Questions?
START A CONVERSATIONWe are here to help.
Invest in real estate, private companies, or be a private lender with your IRA funds.
Protect against stock market volatility and inflation.
Diversify your portfolio and take control of your savings.