Self Directed 401k for Apartment Complex

[Shawn C.]

I am a real estate broker. I want to buy an apartment complex with an old 401k by converting it to a self directed and leveraging debt. I understand I cannot draw on the fund and the gains have to be reinvested. I have a few questions.

1. Can the leverage be paid down on an accelerated schedule w the income from the property?

2. Can my property management company manage the property and receive the income?

3. How are the expenses managed when it’s self directed? All expenses paid from 401k?

[Jason Watson]

Zachary is spot on. You can never touch a dollar... either coming in or going out. No different than your 401k investing into Google... you don't get to rock up to Google's offices and start touching corporate funds.

Be mindful of your possible 990-T filing obligation if you use debt. Unrelated debt financed income (UDFI) in an SDIRA can be a pain.