Self directed IRA investment, cash out.

[Caleb Landry]

Trying to come up with a strategy for a first investment. The whole Self Directed IRA or Checkbook IRA sounds great in parts. My Question is: If you use a Self Directed or Checkbook IRA for the down payment on an investment. Is the whole investment considered to be in the IRA account? For instance if you have rental income, can you pay yourself? Or would that be a distribution from the IRA, which would bring about early withdrawal penalties etc? Thanks in Advance!