# #319 - Why Smart Investors Use Self-Directed IRAs for Real Estate - Nick Sahagun

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/living-off-rentals-111328/319-why-smart-investors-use-self-directed-iras-for-real-estate-nick-sahagun
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/living-off-rentals-111328/319-why-smart-investors-use-self-directed-iras-for-real-estate-nick-sahagun.md
Podcast: [Living Off Rentals](https://stenobird.com/podcast/living-off-rentals-111328)
Published: 2026-03-25T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://livingoffrentals.libsyn.com/319-why-smart-investors-use-self-directed-iras-for-real-estate-nick-sahagun
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/livingoffrentals/Living_Off_Rentals_319.mp3?dest-id=1829519
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/living-off-rentals-111328/episodes/319-why-smart-investors-use-self-directed-iras-for-real-estate-nick-sahagun
Duration seconds: 3829

## Resource

Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who helps investors take control of their retirement investments. Nick Sahagun is an expert in self-directed retirement investing and alternative assets. He works closely with investors who want more control over their retirement funds and the ability to invest in opportunities outside the traditional stock market, including real estate. Listen as he shares how self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s allow investors to deploy retirement capital into alternative investments, along with the rules, advantages, and key considerations investors should understand before using retirement funds for real estate. He also breaks down some of the most common mistakes investors make when setting up and using self-directed retirement accounts. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Nick Sahagun and his background [03:06] How Nick first discovered the self-directed IRA space [06:37] The difference between conventional retirement accounts and self-directed accounts [11:08] Question before doing self-directed 401k [13:25] Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA [17:16] Setting up a brokerage within your self-directed IRA [20:46] Self-directed IRA as a vehicle for diversification [26:14] Understanding prohibited transactions and common mistakes [32:27] Investing in a real estate deal using money in an IRA [37:28] Lending and using leverage in an IRA [39:35] About unrelated business income tax [41:00] About unrelated debt, finance, and income tax [46:44] Investing in short-term rentals with your self-directed IRA [51:06] On the administrative side of work [52:07] The role of Safeguard Advisors [57:21] Price structure in the self-directed IRA landscape [01:01:52] Connect with Nick Sahagun [01:03:25] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www…

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