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the stock market
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©2024 Vantage Retirement Plans LLC. 
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    9:00AM – 5:00PM 
 

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.

Open an account 

Get started in 3 easy steps

Transfer existing IRA funds, rollover an old 401k or contribute directly.

Fund your account

Use your IRA to invest
in real estate or other
alternative assets of your choice.

Purchase your investment

REAL ESTATE

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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

Clients Served

17,000+

Assets Under Administration

$3B+

Years in Business

18

Program Director

Shea Roberts

Founder & CEO

J.P. Dahdah

Vantage Retirement Plans, LLC
8742 E Via de Commercio, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HomeSmart Retirement Program? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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:

  1. CLICK ENROLL
  2. Choose the type of Self-Directed IRA you prefer to open, such as Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE.
  3. Complete a few online forms including beneficiary information
  4. Provide a copy of your government ID
  5. Fund your account

Wasn’t that easy?

What type of Self-Directed IRA should I open?(Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE) Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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?) Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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:

  1. CLICK ENROLL
  2. Choose the type of Self-Directed IRA you prefer to open, such as Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE.
  3. Complete a few online forms including beneficiary information
  4. Provide a copy of your government ID
  5. Fund your account

Wasn’t that easy?

What type of Self-Directed IRA should I open?(Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE) Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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?) Toggle

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? Toggle

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? Toggle

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.

Contribute a percentage of your commission to an IRA, like employees can do in an employer-offered 401(k) benefit plan.

How do you benefit? 

By enrolling, you can:

How does it work?

480.240.4116  |  SRoberts@VantageIRAs.com

Have Questions?

START A CONVERSATION

We are here to help.

Have an easy way to save for retirement while paying less taxes.

Have IRA investment options that aren’t restricted to the stock market.

Have IRA investment options that aren’t restricted to the stock market.