Brokerage account from Self-Directed IRA

[Rob K.]

My current self-directed IRA custodian does not have a brokerage account option. I have a self-directed Roth IRA that owns real estate and invests in notes but am considering diversifying into a brokerage account. As I understand it, I can do a partial transfer out of my Roth to a standard brokerage and basically set up an IRA with the new brokerage firm. Has anyone done this and are there positives or negatives to this approach? Once the brokerage account is established is it basically a separate IRA outside the self-directed custodian's control?

I know that this may be easier with checkbook control, but that is not really my question. Thanks to those that respond.