Can I use my Self-Directed IRA for renovations on a rental property? This Property is currently my primary residence.

[Robbie Pratt]

My family and I currently reside in a 3/2 1500SF SFH. I bought it about 6 months ago with the intention of turning it into a rental in the next 1-3 years as our family grows. There is about $7K worth of repairs that need to be done before it would be renter-ready and I had planned on using SDIRA money to perform those upgrades. I read somewhere that Self-Directed IRA funds should not be used for personal residence renovations, however, in this case the property needs to be upgraded before it will rent out properly and I might as well get those upgrades done now so we can enjoy them for a year or two before we rent it out. Am I being overly aspirational to hope I can use SDIRA dollars to fix this place up now, even if we continue to occupy it for 1-3 years?

[J Scott]

I'm not an ERISA attorney, but I think this is a very clear example of what would be a prohibited transaction -- first, because it's your primary residence, and second, because you own the property in non-retirement vehicles.