using IRA to buy real estate

[Brandon Komp]

Hello BP members!

I've listened, read and debated a lot of material about using retirements funds in a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate. The rules seem really cumbersome and complicated, and since I'm still fairly young (29 today), I'm considering just cashing out my retirement to just use to invest normally (likely in a multifamily deal) so I can take the cashflow as income (can't do this in self-directed IRA). I know that I'll be hit w/ the 10% early distribution penalty and it'll be taxed as income in that year.

Am I missing something? Is there something better or easier? Thanks in advance for all answers, help and opinions!!