Best tax shelter for profits: IRA, HSA, 401K, REIT, REI or other?

[Daniel Klucas]

Trying to figure out our best choice to tax shelter our forthcoming profits for sells lots we have subdivided from our primary residence.  The mortgage on the house is being refi and the lots will be free and clear.  The proceeds (est.150k) from the sell of these lots will be subject to capital gains tax and we want to minimize that as much as possible.  

We have a 401k and HSA account through an employer, and also an IRA. We do have a rental property with a mortgage (120k) still on it and the mortgage (180k)of our current home.

Trying to figure out best option to protect the money but would also like to use it for future real estate projects.

[Mark Nolan]

@Daniel Klucas

Unfortunately you won't be able to contribute any of the proceeds from the those existing properties or contribute any of those properties to your retirement account. The only way to get money into an IRA or 401(k), for example, is to make annual contributions or to transfer IRAs or 401(k) plans into it. The IRA and 401(k) may be invested directly into real estate, however, you have never owned.