Self Directed IRA Questions

[Daniel Decker]

I recently inherited a 401k from my father, and am considering my options of what to do with it.  I'm debating cashing it out (without penalty since it was a death benefit) or rolling it over to a SDIRA.  If I cash it out, I would pay tax on it at my current rate.  Then I would most likely use the cash to purchase rental properties or possibly notes.  If I roll it over into a SDIRA, I would most likely want to invest the same way.  The thing is, it would be nice to have access to the money for whatever I want (I'm looking at buying a primary residence soon).  I would have that access if I cash it out.  If I roll it over, I wouldn't.... or would I?  I've read a lot about how things have to be "kept at arms length" and how I can't benefit now, only in retirement when it comes to SDIRAs.  So here are my questions:  

(1) Could my SDIRA loan money to my business partner, and then I get a loan from my business partner for a similar amount with similar terms?

(2) If I own 50% of an LLC, can my SDIRA loan money to the LLC? What if I own less than 50% of the LLC?

Thanks in advance for all of your answers.