Withdraw money from IRA for down payment to start REI?

[Adam Merrill]

Hi BP Community,

Would you withdraw money from an traditional IRA account to fund a down payment on a multi-family? I recently made a career change and rolled my 401k into an IRA and started a new 401k with my new employer to take advantage of the employer match program.

I am debating withdrawing funds, around 20% of the IRA plans current market value. I understand the tax implications in doing so, but is the short term loss worth the long term gain?

[Justin Windham]

@Adam Merrill

Did you decide what to do with your IRA funds? A self-directed IRA or 401k provides some flexibility, but you cannot use the earnings immediately- they would belong to the retirement account which you could draw from later on.